Victory in Adversity

The day did not begin well for Kettering 4's. The skipper decided that due to the late push back and the improved weather decided to go for a bike ride to stretch the legs. On his return home he managed to have an accident and put himself out of the game. Much to the amusement of his teammates. Then to compound the situation, Tim McDowell came up with the best excuse of the season not to play when his dog locked his keys in the car preventing him from travelling. This meant that Ethan Roberts, from the development squad made his debut.

With a frustrated skipper watching on from the sidelines, the match started in bright warm sunshine. Both teams started in bizarre fashion, where they couldn't decide if they were playing in a benefits match or a competitive game. It was a pedestrian pace with nobody making any efforts to get forward. Eventually, a game of hockey broke out with both teams being evenly matched. St Neots made the early in roads by making a couple of forays into the D and winning a short corner or two. The Kettering defence held firm by clearing the ball with some confidence. St Neots couldn't get a final decisive shot on goal, this proved to symptomatic for the rest of the game.

After 20 minutes, Kettering settled more into the game and began to play the effective competitive hockey they have been known for this season. With Tony pulling the strings and a returning Ludwig providing an energetic cutting edge, St Neots were being forced back. Lee paris and Mike tanser forging a new partnership up front, began to find their feet with a couple of through balls being played by Mike to release Lee in the box.

The pressure built up and eventually a short corner was one. In a well worked move, straight off the training pitch, Tony Heath received the ball and played the inch perfect pass onto Lee's stick to the left of the goal. Well that's his version of events, in reality Tony mishit his shot to the left of the goal and Paris swooped to deflect it into the goal. 1 nil to the good with around 5 minutes to half time. kettering held out comfortably til the whistle.

The second half started with some St Neots pressure and Alistair was called upon to pull off some saves from close range with his feet. The highlight of a comfortable display between the sticks. But despite the pressure St Neots just couldn't finish. Kettering then had a quick break with the ball being fired out of defence. The ball found its way to Lee at the top of the D. He confidently rounded the defender on the reverse and smashed the ball into the net over a diving keeper. An excellent all round goal shownig that he was back to his best.

The third goal came five minutes later, when a Ludwig shot was left by the keeper who obviously thought it was going wide. The ball rebounded off the post and Mike reacted quickly to put the ball away. Three nil to the good and Kettering were now cruising keeping the ball and moving it around. As the minutes ticked away, St Neots made one final effort and managed to win a short corner. The kettering defence just couldn't clear the ball on this occassion and a looping shot thumped off a defenders leg in front of goal.

The penalty flick was cooly taken by an experienced defender, who placed it with some style and precision just above the outstretched glove of the kettering keeper. A late consulation goal which spoilt the overall result for Kettering.

This was a pleasing match for Kettering 4's despite the issues with availablity and selection. All players stepped up and played a part to provide the end result. Which showed again that there is some stregth in depth within the club.

Next week is an early home match against Cambridge South 5's.