Dav striker a bit too hot to handle.

KETTERING LADIES 3RD TEAM v DAVENTRY
Saturday 17th November 2018

Kettering took on 3rd placed Daventry in their penultimate league game before the Christmas break and showed their intent from the start. They retained possession of the ball for long periods and there was some excellent passing between the midfield and forwards as the team put pressure on the Daventry goal. A number of chances were created by the team but ultimately saved by the in-form Daventry keeper.

Always dangerous on the break Daventry latched onto a loose ball and a powerful drive forward saw them open the scoring with fine strike on target which gave keeper Kate Metcalfe little chance to save.

Kettering were not to be outdone and picked up the pace with some excellent interceptions from Kate Randle whose fine distribution of the ball set up the midfield with Evie Wharf and Lydia McCarrick combining well down the right. Intelligent movement off the ball from Megan Newlyn enabled her to collect passes from McCarrick and she was able to use her speed to drive down the right and into the “D” She was ably supported by Liz Metcalfe and Claire Jones in the middle with Ola Bednarczyk coming in from the left. Daventry were unable to cope with this pressure and some great interchanges between Simran Kaur and Claire Jones within the “D” enabled Liz Metcalfe to finally slot the ball into the back of the net. 20 minutes down and 1 – 1 score-line was a good start for the Kettering side.

Kettering continued to keep their shape and made good use of recycling the ball around the back. Lucie Freeman worked tirelessly in left midfield to break down any Daventry attacks and in defence Ellie Mulligan made some good tackles and positioned herself well for passes out wide from the defending centres. With less than five minutes left on the clock however Daventry’s lone striker managed to get two unstoppable shots on goal despite unbelievably hard work from Evie Wharf and Kate Randle who worked desperately hard to try and halt her progress. 3 – 1 down at the break was in no way a true reflection of the game and the quality of Kettering’s team work.

Kettering felt they were in with a chance to draw level with Daventry as the game progressed and against a Daventry team that seemed to be tiring. With Julia Telford and Liz Metcalfe controlling the mid field and some clever passing between the mids and forwards Kettering made numerous forays into the Daventry “D” and they were desperately unlucky not to find the back of the net. Following a well-earned corner, a powerful shot from the edge of the “D” by Liz Metcalfe found the back of the net but unfortunately was hit from just outside the “D” and was ruled out. Kettering then went close to scoring following a skilful run and cross into the “D” by Natalia Bednarczyk. Natalia was desperately unlucky not to score after her pass was slipped back to her and her shot-on goal passed just wide of the post.

Kate Metcalfe had pulled off numerous quality saves throughout the game but with ten minutes left on the clock Daventry finally put the game beyond Kettering as yet another break saw their striker fire home her 4th goal again giving Metcalfe no chance to save the shot.

Despite the loss the Kettering side can be extremely proud of the effort and determination they displayed today and can take many positives from the game. Possession and passing was better as was movement off the ball.

Man of the Match Liz Metcalfe

TEAM
Kate Metcalfe Ellie Mulligan Kate Randle Megan Newlyn Julia Telford Evie Wharf Claire Jones Liz Metcalfe Ola Bednarczyk Natalia Bednarczyk Simran Kaur Lydia McCarrick Lucie Freeman