Bad day at the Office!

There are many words that can be used to describe today's match against St Ives. But most would not be printable. Kettering traveled with some hope after a few good performances but it was always going to be difficult against a side that is pushing for a top 3 position in the league.

The match was a lesson in simple effective hockey. St Ives moved the ball confidently and accurately around the pitch at pace. Their movement off of the ball was also excellent. Questions were being asked of the Kettering defence all of the time but on too many occasions no answers could be found. Faced with a rampant, pacy attack the away side was dismantled and in the end goals could be scored at will.

The home team was so dominant, that at half time their Keeper, who is also their Captain, decided to shed his pads and play as a kicking back and sweeper.

Any positives to come out of this abject performance? Alistair Brooking was awarded the man of the match award again for frankly putting in an outstanding performance between the sticks despite adversity and being let down by a woeful defence. He made ten or twelve excellent saves which earned applause from the opposition. The best of which was in the second half when the good movement told again, and an attacker slipped their marker higher up the pitch to run in on goal. Alistair didn't panic and spread himself as the shot came in knocking the ball wide.

Another high note, was when Lee Paris playing as the lone attacker and mainly being fed scraps most of the game, did receive a peach of a pass from deep, to turn and beat the kicking back to slot the ball home. This means he has scored for 5 consecutive games bringing his tally to 8 from 7.

Finally, despite numerous players being unavailable this weekend and all teams fielding much changed sides, the 4's were still able to field an 11 and fulfill the fixture avoiding having 3 points being deducted.

Next week, 4's have a break to lick their wounds. Then the week after promises to be a crunch match against Kettering 3's. An opportunity to prove that today's result is an anomaly and not the norm.

For St Ives version of events click HERE