CoP 2nds 3-2 Kettering

Kettering came within three minutes of forcing Peterborough 2nds to a penalty shoot out as they succumbed to a 67th minute winner in a game of high quality hockey at the City of Peterborough stadium. Two years ago Kettering were playing Peterborough 6ths so a cup game against the 2nds, who play two divisions above them, gave Kettering a chance to see how far they have progressed. With a side containing seven under 18s the future looks bright for Kettering as they played some fantastic hockey, taking the game to the hosts and dominating large periods of the game.
The hosts went ahead when a scramble in the D was turned in after 10 minutes. Kettering continued to get a foothold in the game and were rewarded just before half time when skipper Grant Carlin fired home a short corner. The second half was an end to end affair and Kettering deservedly took the lead when James Hogg coolly finished to set up a frantic last twenty minutes. Peterborough pulled a goal back to level the tie through a short corner and with time running out and penalties looking likely Peterborough broke quickly and an overload saw a them apply the finish to take them into round two.
Kettering took the opportunity to give first team debuts to fifteen year olds Tom Storey and Archie Colwill, the latest products of a junior system that is reshaping the playing profile of the club.