Rain doesn't dampen Four's parade.

Last year, Cambridge South 5's proved to be a bogey team for Kettering 4's. 12 goals scored against them with only 2 goals for. This season would be a different proposition with the much improved performances in recent games.

The match early on proved to be a tense affair with both sides looking to gain a foothold in the torrential rain. kettering enjoyed a period of ascendancy were the passing just clicked. A series of short corners were won but a goal could not be forced against some resolute defending.

Kettering had to be careful becasue Cambridge with a number of players that have dropped down from last seasons league champions were posing a threat on the counterattack. A couple of chances were created with the good crooses coming in only for their to be no players on the end.

After a short break where the players were taken off the pitch by the Umpires due to the rumble of thunder, Cambride made good on the threat posed. A kettering attack broke down on the right hand side. The Cambridge midfield swooped and quickly created an overload with the kettering players out of position. The ball was duly slotted home.

Kettering, however are no longer upset by going behind. They now have a quiet confidence that they will create chances and also score.

This came to pass where in a period of 25 minutes either side of half time, Lee Paris continued his scoring form to score another hatrick of goals.

The first goal, was undoubtedly the pick of the day. Ludwig found some space to the right hand side at the top of the D. A hard pass across the top evaded to the home defence to pick out the inform forward who deftly deflected the ball up and over the leaping keeper.

The second and third goals were almost carbon copies, being the result of someof the slick passing moves that saw FinnSmith and Harry Tanser attacking with pace and guile down both wings on a regular basis throughout the match. The second goal saw Finn beat the defender to cross the ball to find Paris in space within the D. He slotted the ball home between the keepers legs.

The third goal again saw Finn drive down the right into the D. The resultant cross found Paris who had lost his marker. the Keeper realised the danger and rushed out to spread himself on the ground to try and stop the shot. Paris just chipped the sprawling the keeper to take his tally to 16 goals .

Cambridge not to be outdone, used all of their experience to apply pressure. Eventually late on in the game they broke the Kettering defence and fired home a concilation goal. A few nervy minutes followed but the game was seen out for a good victory.

There was no man of the match today, becasue the whole team put in a performance to be proud of and show the rest of the league that we will say on who will eventually win.

Next week, a fresh challenge for Fours with a match against the current league leaders. last time we met there was a narrow 2-1 loss, this time a better result beckons.