Kettering 3rds 0-5 Wootton Wanderers 1st

KETTERING LADIES 3RD TEAM v WOOTTON WANDERERS 1st TEAM
Saturday 29th September 2018

With five players new to the team the thirds were not sure what to expect from today’s encounter with one of the strongest squads in the league but they need not have worried. Natalia Bednarczyk, Keira Cox, Lin Leach Suzie Randle and Charlotte Cattel rose to the
occasion and all played well, with great enthusiasm and commitment.

Kettering began well with Liz Randle and Ola Bednarczyk working hard up front to put pressure on their opponent’s “D” and the Wootton keeper was called upon to make a number of saves. Unfortunately, Wootton mounted a spirited counterattacked and some lax marking by the Kettering defence saw Wootton take advantage and fire past the Kettering keeper to score their first goal within seven minutes of the start of the game. Kettering settled despite this setback and the defence held firm. Ellie Mulligan put in numerous very telling tackles against an outstanding winger and was ably supported by Suzie Randle and Julia Telford who contained the mid field attack for long periods of the first half

Wootton continued to push forward but the defence held firm with Evie Wharf in particular, reading the game well and making numerous telling tackles and interceptions. The occasional ball that did find its way into the “D” was ably dealt with by Kate Metcalfe in goal. Good clearances from the defence to Lin Leach and Lucie Freeman in mid field enabled the team to settle but the stalemate was not to last for long.
Wootton always looked dangerous on the attack and their clever interchanging within the Kettering 23 found players left unmarked in the “D” and two exceptional goals followed which gave Kate Metcalfe little chance to save.

A positive ½ time team talk re-energised the team and a slight change in formation seemed to help the team keep better possession of the ball. Liz Metcalfe moved into defence and managed to neutralise moves down the left while Ellie Mulligan continued her hard work in containing the power runs down the right. Lucie Freeman moved to the centre of midfield and adapted well to her new role, showing great determination to win the ball and support her team mates. Megan Newlyn also put in an outstanding performance to the right of midfield, putting into practice skills learnt at training, as she drove down the right into the “D” to pull the ball back for her forwards

As the game progressed Kettering kept possession of the ball much better and went so close on a number of occasions with Ola and Natalia working well together and on target. Unfortunately, they were denied by some good defending and goal keeping. Keira Cox made some useful runs from midfield down the left and was well supported by Lin Leach and Charlotte Cattel who had moved up from the more defensive role she held in the first half. Kettering forced a number of corners but were unable to convert any despite their best efforts.

Kettering were definitely in the game and Wootton had to fight hard to win the ball back but with only ten minutes left on the clock Wootton netted one goal from a break away and a second following a penalty corner.
With a 5 – 0 score line against them the Kettering side should have been extremely worried but every single member of the team worked unbelievably hard and with great determination and skill. There was much to be proud of and, as the team get to know each other and play more together, the better results will surely follow.