We're going up, we're going up..........

A beautiful spring day, a local derby and a must win game for both teams. The ideal set up for an exhibition of free flowing hockey or sadly what turned out to be a really scruffy game.
Wellingborough belied their position in the league with the majority of possession but a terrible misplaced pass to Mark Hawkins at the top of the D saw old 'sure shot' make no mistake. Lousy marking in midfield saw Wellingborough equalise. Grant Carlin picked up a green card for his troubles but when back on the pitch managed to pop in a regulation short corner. Half time 2-1. Knowing they had to win Kettering knew the next goal might break Wellingborough but the visitors scored on the counter attack half way through the half. With 15 minutes to save their season Kettering moved into third gear aided by a totally unnecessary but deserved red card to a Wellingborough player. This gave Kettering the opportunity to score from the resulting short corner through Carlin who then completed his hat trick to give the hosts some breathing space. Carlin made it a personal tally of 4 on the day and an impressive 36 for the season. Final score 5-2.
Then the wait for other results to come in. Peterborough 5 lost to Alford, bad result for Wellingborough. Peterborough 6ths won mmmmm? Another bad result for Wellingborough. Bourne got a point and that was enough to relegate Wellingborough, their local derby next year will be with Kettering's second string. Then the big one, St Ives 4-3 Cambridge City. Kettering promoted, cue scenes of celebration well into the night. Congratulations to skipper Ant Paton on leading the side to promotion from 4NW in their inaugural season in the East. Playing in the East has given Kettering the chance to play many youngsters in games and yesterday's midfield comprised three under 18s. With a move to a new pitch in the offing and so many youngsters coming through the future at Kettering is very bright. Kettering are already planning on strengthening their playing staff for an assault on 3NW next season.

Here's the match report from St Ives v Cambridge City. Well done St Ives - 3-2 down but pulled two back to put us up.
Report from St Ives 4-3 Cambridge