4's earn a hard fought draw.

The corresponding fixture last season, saw Ely win 6-1. Todays scoreline show the continued improvement of the 4th team and the strength of the entire squad. 4's are turning into a team that is difficult to beat and in with a chnace of getting some surprise results.

Ely arrived at kettering with a basic 11 players, showing that as a club they are suffering from some severe availbility problems with their 3rd team not being able to put out a team at home. 4's were not without their availibilty issues with a number of players that have perfomred well in the first matches of the season not being present. This gave an oppurtunity for a number of players in the wider squad to come in and push for a place. We even had Tom Southern make a debut after starting playing hockey back in August.

The first half started in cagey fashion. Neither team taking the initiative. 4's being conscious not to make an early mistake and allow Ely an early lead. The play opened up as both teams settled and the skilful forwards of Ely put the home team under pressure. But resolute defence fended off the attacks. The home team were content to hit on the break and took every oppurtnity to move the ball forward with some speed. This eventually paid off with an attack resulting in the ball striking the post. The half ended with honours even.

The second half saw the roles reversed as the Ely team tired. kettering pushed forward trying to force a result. the Ely defence though desperate at times held firm. 4's managed to force a succession of short and long corners but again the goal just wouldn't come. Again a post was struck and Harry Tanser even had the ball in the back of the net only for it to be disallowed becasue the Umpire had blown for an earlier infringement. Ely still posed a threat on the break and managed to get a couple of shots on target which Ray managed to save expertly with glove or thigh. They also managed to stretch the defense and only some last ditch tackles from Dan Carter tracking back from midfield saving 4's from leaking a goal.

The game ended to produce a credible 0 - 0 draw against the team that is currently second in the league. Next week Kettering travel to Ely for a game against their 3rd team ( assuming they can get a team together). If everything is true to form then a win should be expected but in this league anything can happen.