Kettering 3-2 Wootton

What a game !!
Wootton opened the game strongly with some fast, skilful and powerful moves into the Kettering “D” and keeper Kate Metcalfe pulled off a series of excellent saves to keep Kettering in the game. Without the outstanding and remarkable effort put in by Metcalfe, Kettering could well have been 4 – 0 down within the first 10 minutes.
Kettering gradually settled into the pace of the game and the defensive line up of Claire Jones, Beth Hardy, Laura Newlyn and Eleanor Izzard gradually began to get the better of the Wootton attack. Sandra Mandziuk and Julia Telford took control of the midfield and Kettering were able to mount attacks of their own with Sophie Richardson and Imogen Smith demonstrating outstanding skills as they pushed down the down the left and right hand of the pitch respectively. Their passes into the “D” eventually found Jenny Mason who was extremely unlucky not to find the back of the net.
Wootton found it more and more difficult to get through the Kettering defence and were eventually forced to change their formation but the resolute Kettering back line remained more than a match for them. A fine pass up the right from Claire Jones found Natalie Irons in position to slip the ball through to Imogen Smith and a series of one two passes took Irvin into a fine scoring opportunity and she made no mistake as she fired home to put Kettering in the lead.
Wootton renewed their efforts and Kettering were again put under immense pressure. Unable to clear the ball and with a packed “D” Wootton somehow managed to scramble the ball past the defenders and the unsighted keeper into the goal. Kettering and Wootton entered the break with honours even.
Ellie Peachment made some strong runs down the right at the start of the second period and was well supported by Smith and Richardson. Stirling work from Julia Telford, Cath Irvin and Natalie Irons kept Wootton on the back foot and Kettering made some very useful inroads into the Wootton “D”. They were initially unable to capitalise on the fine build up work until Jenny Mason eventually managed to slip the ball through to Irvin who skilfully fired home her second of the game.
Wootton upped their efforts and forced a number of penalty corners but yet again Kate Metcalfe was outstanding to keep Kettering’s hopes alive. Beth Hardy solid in defence, as always, also saved a certain goal as she deflected a goal bound shot wide. The game continued with end to end moves with both teams probing for the all-important goal. Eventually it was Wootton who found the back of the net when a shot from the left slipped passed the unsighted keeper.
Neither team seemed to be content with a draw and both pushed for the winner. Wootton probably had the best shots on goal but were continually denied by Metcalfe. One final push by Kettering saw the ball crossed into the “D” and yet again it was Cath Irvin in the perfect position to slot home her third of the day just seconds before the final whistle. All in all a fantastic, hard fought game which could have gone either way but the determination of the Kettering side eventually secured victory. Without doubt the man of the match was keeper Kate Metcalfe with Cath Irvin a close second following her hat-trick of goals. Mention also made of the outstanding skill and positioning of youngsters Sophie Richardson and Imogen Smith.