Kettering 3rds 0-1 Towcester 2nds

KETTERING LADIES 3RD TEAM v TOWCESTER 2nd TEAM
Saturday 13th October 2018

Yet another outstanding performance from the Kettering side particularly during the first thirty-five minutes of this Division 1 league fixture against Towcester 2nd X1.

Claire Jones, Megan Newlyn and Ola Bedarczyk worked tirelessly up front and put the Towcester defence under incredible pressure. With constant forays into the “D” by the three hard working forwards a goal seemed more than possible. All three went close and it was only desperate last-ditch attempts by the Towcester defence to clear their lines that denied the Kettering attack. A superb cross from Jones managed to find Ola Bednarczyk whose shot hit the post while Megan Newlyn went close after weaving her way into the “D” after a fast and skilful run down the right. Corners were won and good injections from Becky Richardson saw shots on goal going close. Julia Telford in particular was very unlucky when the ball was slipped to her and her shot on the goal was cleared from the line and deflected away.

Our forwards were well supported by the midfield, with an outstanding performance from Becky Richardson in particular, who demonstrated great skill, determination and endless
running to help the defence and provide great through balls for her forwards. Great interchanges between Becky and Ola opened up the defence on numerous occasions while Lydia McCarrick pushed forward and adapted well to playing numerous positions in midfield and in attack.

The Kettering defence looked impenetrable for long periods of the first half although Kate Randle, Liz Metcalfe and Charlotte Cattell were called upon to save the day on a number of occasions when Towcester managed to break away. All three put in vital tackles at difference points during the first 35 to prevent the attack reaching the Kettering “D”. There was excellent defending throughout with very little getting through to Kate Metcalfe in goal. The few shots that did evade the defence were ably and competently dealt with by the Kettering keeper.

Kettering were slightly disappointed to go into the break with a 0 – 0 score line as they felt they had held possession of the ball for longer periods than the opposition and they had certainly put intense pressure on their opponents’ goal. With so many shots going agonisingly close Kettering were very unlucky not to have scored.

Kettering started the second half with the same intensity that they began the game. Julia Telford and Lucy Freeman continued to control the midfield with Ellie Mulligan adapting to her new role in midfield. As the half progressed however Towcester began to make more inroads into the Kettering half and the defence were put under more and more pressure. Towcester had slightly more possession as the half progressed but Kettering continued to push forward when the opportunity arose. Yet again good moves from Ola and Megan down the left and right respectively with support from Becky and Lydia saw Kettering penetrate the Towcester “D” but once again shots clipped the post or were eventually cleared by the keeper.

Towards the end of the half the Kettering team seemed to be running out of steam and when an injury to Kate Randle forced her off the pitch Kettering were eventually caught out on the break and Towcester managed to squeeze the ball past the keeper.

Kettering threw everything into the attack and with two minutes to go forced a series of penalty corners. Good efforts illegally saved resulted in further corners until eventually Kettering were awarded one more just as the final whistle blew. Despite their best efforts Kettering could not convert and disappointingly had to settle for a 1 – 0 loss

Kettering continue to improve week by week and yet again another fantastic effort from all members of the squad. Good results will follow……………..

TEAM
Kate Metcalfe Charlotte Cattel Ellie Mulligan Julia Telford Lucie Freeman
Megan Newlyn Liz Metcalfe Ola Bednarczyk Claire Jones Kate Randle Claire Jones Lydia McCarrick