Kettering 3rds 0-1 Wildcatz

Kettering 3rd’s took on top of the table Wildcatz in their third league fixture of the season and produced an excellent performance demonstrating great skills and excellent team work.

Kettering applied most of the pressure during the first quarter with Julia Telford controlling the mid field allowing our super skilful juniors Imogen Smith and Sophie Richardson to carve their way through the Wildcatz defence. Sandra Mandziuk and Elana Freedman were quick to latch onto the through balls and were only denied by some outstanding Goal keeping by Michelle Collins in the Wildcatz goal.

Wildcatz settled and began to mount attacks of their own but the Kettering defence held firm with some fine marking and timely tackles by Jill Livingstone and Laura Newlyn with sweeper Beth Hardy tidying up any balls that managed to find their way through the very tight defence.

Kettering entered the break with a clean sheet and the team were extremely pleased with their half time performance against such a strong team.

Natalie Irons and Eleanor Izzard stepped up to the mark after the break and combined well down the right to force a number of errors by the Wildcatz defence. Rachael Carlin was on hand to pick up a number of well placed through balls but was denied yet again by the Wildcatz keeper. As the game progressed Wildcatz put more and more pressure on the Kettering defence with long penetrating through balls and Kate Metcalfe in goal was called upon to make a number of remarkable saves keeping Kettering in the game and earning her the well-deserved “Man of the Match” award.

Eventually Wildcatz forced a Penalty corner and when the ball was slipped back to the injector she fired home with pin point accuracy giving the defence little chance to stop the ball.

Kettering was not to be outdone and continued to mount powerful attacks of their own and were ecstatic when a shot by Natalie Irons crossed the Wildcatz goal line. Unfortunately it was ruled out as it was deemed to have been hit just outside the circle.

Kettering kept up the pressure with Jill Livingstone pushing down the right and tireless work from Imogen Smith Sophie Richardson and Elana Freedman kept Kettering in contention. The whole team pushed up and worked so hard to get the equaliser but time was against them and the final whistle went giving Wildcatz a 1 – 0 win.

Kettering can take a lot of positives away from the game and despite the disappointment of not coming away with a point from the game they will continue to strive to turn skill and commitment into goals and wins.