2nds 2-1 3rds

KETTERING LADIES 3rd TEAM v KETTERING LADIES 2nd TEAM 17th February 2018
Way back in September Kettering 3rd team lost to the 2nd’s by five goals to nil and the 2’s showed their intent to repeat this demolition as they put the 3’s under immense pressure from the start of this return fixture. The defence were called upon to make any number of last ditch tackles and Kate Metcalfe, cool calm and collected in goal, dealt admirably with any shots that eluded the defenders.
Sophie Guyett and Eleanor izzard were outstanding at the back and with Beth Hardy sweeping up any loose balls the 2’s found their very best efforts thwarted. With the defence holding firm the 3’s gradually began to make inroads into the opposition half with some good moves between Natalie Irons and Neola Bush to set up the forwards. Becki Richardson in particular used her skills and speed to good effect to weave her way past the opposition. The 3’s were encouraged by this and began to put more and more pressure on their opponent’s defence. One outstanding move by Becki Richardson saw her evade a number of defenders and reverse hit the ball into the “D”. Sandra Mandziuk who had previously made numerous telling runs found herself in perfect position to slot home the perfectly placed waist high ball giving Amy Marsh in goal no chance to save the shot.
Kettering 3s were ecstatic to enter the break one goal up but were in no way complacent as they knew the 2nd’s would begin the second period with greater intensity and determination. Despite their best efforts the 3’s could not prevent Kettering 2nd’s equalising and then taking the lead within ten minutes of the start of the second half
Positive encouragement from Kate Metcalfe settled the team and, as they put their disappointment at going behind to one side, they once again began to pressure and worry the opposition. The mother and daughter combination Debs and Becky Richardson hassled their markers and used their speed to evade tackles. They worked well together down the right and with some skilful one/twos advanced down the pitch to set up Sam Bedford and Sandra Mandziuk who won a number of penalty corners. Beth Hardy went close but was denied by good goal keeping from Amy March.
Meanwhile Katie Woolveridge and Natalie Irons worked tirelessly in midfield to keep control of the game and Julia Telford was outstanding in winning the ball before skilfully distributing it to her midfield players. The defence continued to work unbelievably hard to deny goal scoring opportunities despite increasing pressure from the 2nd’s. The pressure did result in the seconds winning a number of penalty corners but they were unable to convert any of them, the result of great defending and shots going just wide of the goal.
Kettering 3’s had a few breaks as the game neared its conclusion but they were few and far between and the final 5 minutes saw them under constant pressure. Sophie Guyett in particular had a great game at left defence and prevented many crosses into the “D” while Julia Telford dealt admirably with any passes that did find there way into the circle. At the end of the day Kettering 3rd team were pleased with the way they approached the game and the effort put in by all the players. A satisfactory result for the whole club at the end of the day.

TEAM
Kate Metcalfe Beth Hardy Jan Randle Sophie Guyett Eleanor Izzard Sandra Mandziuk Sam Bedford Natalie Irons Julia Telford Becki Richardson Debs Richardson Neola Bush & Katie Woolveridge