Convincing Victory over a depleted Ely 3's

After last week's somewhat disappointing match against Ely 2’s and the run since the new year, the 4th Team were eager to get back to playing some of the hockey which had excited supporters prior to the Christmas break.

The match started with a Kettering push back but nervy, hurried passes with a lack of accuracy gave the visitors very early possession and a chance to forge an attack and with the pressure a chance in the D opened up. though initially dealt by the defence the ball was quickly allowed back into the D and the resultant shot was brilliantly kept out by Tom Hampden-Smith. Right back Smith Jr then popped his ankle out of the socket (slight sprain) and had to be replaced, almost 30 seconds in, much to the bemusement of Smith Snr. This attack by the visitors awoke Kettering from their slumbers and the home team settled into the game plan to move the ball quickly to open up space, and use our speedy wingers to good effect. A quick passing move down the right involving Paul Brooker and Finn Smith resulted in the former crossing from the byline to the P spot where leading 4th team marksman Lee Paris ended his drought lifting the ball past the disparing dive of the keeper. 1-0 to the good, Kettering continued to work space with Frazer Cairns playing an intelligent one two with Geoff Elliot seizing the opportunity to drive to the byline. This created another cross to the D, that the visitors just managed to clear.

Next up a strange goal in which most of the players on the pitch didn't realise had gone in. Paris with some good close control maneuvered some space to get the shot off to see it hit a defenders foot and dribble over the line 2-0 up and some glorious flowing hockey prevailed. 15 minutes arrived and subs were getting readied. Paul Brooker who started in the support role up front was replaced by the out of form Shaun Curtis hoping to find that space which his somewhat unique 'Number 10 role’ or as is now getting dubbed 'The Curtis Role’ similar to the Sheringham role in football (One for the kids). Within a few seconds he'd made an instant impact, a strong ball played in to the D just right of the penalty spot. He controlled the ball to push himself a bit wider and then on the turn fired in a low drag shot which caught the keeper off guard. 3-0 within the half.

No sooner had play resumed in which Paris stole the ball from the player receiving the push back the umpire blew his whistle, while the substitutes were swapping one of these being the miraculous recovery of Smith Jr (our Kettering youngsters are made of sturn stuff) however it created confusion and Kettering had 12 players on the pitch. The umpire awarded the captain the yellow card. During the long trudge to the dugouts and being reminded that he could delegate the card to someoone else, after a brief investigation the blame was placed firmly and Frazer Cairns was asked to leave the field. The half played out in a similar vein but with no goals, Kettering playing one twos trying to open up the defence but the visitors held firm along with Kettering not attacking the back post enough saw many chances go begging.

The second half started with Ely pushing back. Paris challenged the receiver of the push back again, causing him to misplace his pass straight to the buoyant Curtiswho drove at the defence. Unfortunately a wrong pass option was taken once he'd gotten into space which meant the attack came to nothing. However it wasn't long before he was making amends, tracking back and winning the ball from the visitors midfielder playing the ball square for Heath to play the ball long which ended up again with Curtis playing the ball out wide to Harry who sped past his opposite number and delivered a clean fast hit in to the D in front of Curtis to run on to. The precision of the ball was perfect, the speed of Curtis less so, he could of made it a lot easier for himself, however he managed to get a slight knick on the ball diverting it onto the inside of the post and in. 4-0 and Fist bumps all round. The speedster Finn then added himself to the scoresheet, nipping in ahead of the Ely defence to steal a pass driving into the D and coolly slotting the ball home. A raft of substitutions happen and the team had a slightly different approach with the pace being replaced by wise old heads. Paul Brooker entering the fray for the final 25 minutes in the wide right position in which he made it his sole purpose to get to the end of the balls fired to the back post. The visitors now stretched and being heavily overrun the next goal came in the fashion that many others should, Paris making the run into the D firing a cross/shot to the back post for the former geography author Brooker to apply the finish. The next goal was similar vain this time Curtis trying to smash the ball to the back post not once not twice but third time lucky on his reverse stick he got the ball through taking a nick off of a defenders foot, which ended up with Mr Brooker's cool headed finish. Instead of celebrating, he asked the umpire if the goal stood, thinking it had come off a Kettering foot not the visitors. The umpire was happy and the goal was awarded. Brooker also admitting that he would of shot with more intent of he hadn't of thought it was a Kettering foot. A penalty corner struck fiercely by Brooker completed the scoring under a cloud of suspicion that the ball was actually struck outside of the D.

Kettering 4th back to winning ways and playing some great hockey are looking forward to next week already. A word to the defence and goalkeeper who all played very well in defence being on the front foot with lots of great interceptions and also not giving the opposition any penalty corners or meaningful attempts on goal after the first 5 minutes.

Next week 4's travel away to St Neots, hoping to continue the good form with another win. This weeks report was provided by Shaun Curtis.