Kettering 8-3 Alford

Storm Doris blew Alford into town as the latest team to attempt to take points from Kettering at home this season. Defender Graham Smart withdrew from the squad during the warm up with a chest infection and a first team debut was given to 15yr old Jack Bridges. A long journey from the east coast seemed to still be in the Alford players legs as they fell behind after four minutes when Grant Carlin opened the scoring. This early strike led to the worst half of hockey by the home side this season. Unable to get anything resembling their normal style going Alford gradually forced their way into the match. A penalty was conceded by Neil Freeman but keeper Barry Coe pulled of a save to keep the hosts in front. Alford soon levelled though when a striker was left completely unmarked in the D. Alford then shocked themselves by taking the lead on the half hour when another penalty stroke was awarded after a foul by Ollie Smith. This time no mistake was made, 2-1 to Alford and Kettering saw out the half with ten men as Smith took a five minute suspension.
A Churchillian half time team talk led to Kettering starting strongly. Alford would have been told to keep the game tight. Thirty into the second half Kettering equalised as Lewis Pywell squirted the ball home. A minute late Kettering took the lead with a fine short corner from Carlin and Kettering went further ahead when Matt Hill picked up an aerial and coolly rounded the keeper. Kettering were now in full flow and Paul Donnelly converted a penalty to make it 5-2, Alford's defender taking a yellow. Donnelly them blotted his copy book by conceding the fourth stroke of the game and being yellowed himself. Penalty scored - 5-3. Kettering still roared forward and Carlin completed a hat-trick, Ollie Smith scored and Mark Hawkins completed the scoring with a fine roofed shot.
With four games to go Kettering need 7 points to guarantee promotion. This week they face a tricky tie away at in form Cambridge South.
Mention must go to Nathan and Neil who umpired superbly drawing positive comments from the opposition.