Kettering 5 - 5 Cambridge 5

If only this was Kettering 5ths the scoreline would have had a beautiful symmetry but anyway....

A balmy Saturday in Cambridge and Kettering were straight on the front foot following last week's resounding win. The created a good couple of early chance but fell behind to City's first attack when a short corner was driven home. Kettering responded straight away as Paul Donnelly scored following a third strike at a short corner. Parity was short lived as an opportunist goal saw City take the lead and a defensive lapse saw them go 3-1 up. Donnelly was green carded for debating a decision. Kettering had carved out some decent chances and the half time chat revolved around still being well in the game and the next goal being really important. One minute into the restart and Donnelly picks out City's centre forward on the penalty spot; 4-1. The molehill has become a mountain. With 25 minutes to go Hawkins breathed life into the game with a short corner strike prior to which Matt Wood was green carded. This hope looked extinguished as with 12 mins to go City scored a fifth. Obviously game management is not taught in the esteemed halls of Cambridge as with 7 minutes to go Andy Bull redirected Lewis Pywell's shot; 5-3. Kettering kept piling forward in search of more goals and in the 68th minute Hawkins produce a sumptuous piece of skill as he first drew then lobbed the keeper;5-4. A minute later he was on target again as Kettering came back for a 5-5 draw. With time playing out Kettering fancied getting a late late winner but a long last 20 seconds saw City win a short corner on the final whistle. Kettering's defence dealt with this rather comfortably and a roller coaster finale came to an end. Not exactly champgne hockey but still unbeaten and Kettering find their feet in the East.