IT'S A WIN!!!!!!!!

After a last minute (well the day before) scare when the teams playmaker, Tony Heath, pulled a sickie with a bad back. Some re-organisation of the team had to occur. Early plans, tactics and team formations went in the bin and 4th's ventured out onto the pitch.

The game started briskly with both teams trying to suss each other out. A few good passing moves by either side were easily dealt with. After 10 or so minutes, Kettering got into their stride and began to assert themselves. Shaun Curtis pressed into an unfamiliar midfield role began to make some telling tackles and passes. Wallace Cairns was running with pace and some skill and generally menacing the opposition defence.

After a few substitutions, the balance of the side was upset allowing the opposition to apply some pressure, but the Kettering defence was resolute. The whistle then blew bringing the entertaining half to a close.

Nigel Parkes gave a stirring team talk, and a few strategic changes were made with Mike Tanser and Tim McDowell going up front, Mike Ramsey dropping into defence and the Captain moving to Left back. The whistle blew and Kettering leapt forward with purpose. Pushing Northampton back further and further. With the defence pressing high up the pitch eventually the extra numbers told and a short corner was awarded.

An opportunity to practice the training ground routines. Well, almost. The second play was chosen. The ball was injected and stopped cleanly.
The ball was then mishit, recovered and passed neatly to the right where it was fired in for Mike Tanser to pounce and knock it in after about two minutes of the second half.

Kettering continued to press for the reminder of the half. A number of chances were created but went begging with no one being able to put it in the back of the net. Apart from a couple of short corners the defense remained firm until the final whistle. A work in progress but progress was definitely made.

Lessons for next time:
1) move the ball quicker.
2) Switch the play from right to left a bit more.
3) Ensure substitutions occur at the half way line. Don't want any green cards next week guy's!

Bring on the first league of the season next week.