Wootton left Wandering

KETTERING LADIES 3rd TEAM v WOOTTON WANDERERS 2nd TEAM (2nd December 2017)

Oh what a game!

A win in this fixture was vital to ensure the survival of the 3rd team in Division 1 and the team began the game with great intensity and determination.
With the defence ably marshalled by Kate Metcalfe in goal the few attacking moves by Wootton in the opening minutes of the game were quickly thwarted by defenders Beth Hardy, Sophie Guyett, Laura Newlyn and Eleanor Izzard who coped very well in her new role as a more defensive player within her team.

Sam Bedford worked exceptionally hard up front and her determination almost paid off after she powered her way into the “D” and crossed to Simran Pelhay who was well positioned by the right hand post. Simran got her shot away but unfortunately it passed just inches wide of the goal. This energised the team and there were numerous outstanding 1-2’s between the midfield players which left the Wootton defenders stranded. The hard work by the midfield almost paid off after an excellent pass into the “D” found Julia Telford with a goal scoring opportunity. Unfortunately her powerful shot also passed agonisingly wide of the post.
Kettering kept up the pressure and great work by Becki Stabler and Neola Bush forced a penalty corner but yet again Kettering was unable to capitalise on some truly remarkable build up play.
Despite having the majority of possession throughout the first half Kettering 3rd’s still struggled to find the back of the net.

Very little could be said at the half time break as the team were doing everything within their power to earn a win and they were making very few mistakes as they drove forward. So the half time team talk was simply “just do more of the same”. The team entered the second period with renewed confidence and a belief that they could score some goals and end the game with a much needed win.

Sophie Richardson was outstanding throughout the game showing great skill and energy as she weaved her way down the left hand side of the pitch. Sophie linked up well with the ever versatile Sandra Mandziuk and between them forced a number of mistakes by the Wootton defence eventually earning the team a well-deserved penalty corner. Julia Telford received the injection and slipped the ball to Beth Hardy who crossed to Neola Bush who made absolutely no mistake as she fired home Kettering’s first goal.

Mother of Sophie, Deb Richardson playing in her first game for the thirds worked tirelessly throughout and her tenacious play forced Wootton into making many errors. Her passing was good and she linked up well with Becki Stabler and Julia Telford. Their combined efforts resulted in another penalty corner. Julia Telford’s shot was deflected away from the goal by the Wootton keeper but Sandra Mandziuk was very quick to pick up the loose ball and went very close to slotting home a second for Kettering.

Neola Bush and Becki Stabler caused Wootton all sort of problems with their speed and skill working down the right of the pitch and Kettering were unlucky not to get onto the end of some excellent crosses into the “D”. Eventually Sandra Mandziuk managed to get onto the end of a particularly good cross and her pin point pass to Julia Telford found Telford in an excellent position to fire home a second for Kettering.

Wootton mounted a few attacks of their own and Sophie Guyett and Laura Newlyn were called upon to make some very telling tackles. Both stood their ground really well and were able to push forward to assist their mid field players and forwards. Natalie Irons made one particularly telling run back into defence to stop a potentially dangerous Wootton attack and she was ably assisted by Eleanor Izzard to get the ball away from danger.

Kettering continued to push forward and Simran Pelhay went very close to deflecting the ball into the goal following a pass into the “D” by Julia Telford. With the game played almost entirely in the Wootton half another goal seemed to be on the cards and the third and final goal went to Simran Pelhay who had gone so close on two previous occasions. A superb cross from Debs Richardson found Simran in the right place to slot home the ball and with only five minutes to go ensured a very satisfactory 3 – 0 win to Kettering.

TEAM
Kate Metcalfe, Beth Hardy, Sophie Guyett, Laura Newlyn (captain), Julia Telford, Natalie Irons,
Sandra Mandziuk, Sophie Richardson, Deb Richardson Neola Bush, Eleanor Izzard, Rebecca (Becki) Stabler & Simran Pelhay