Kettering 5-2 Spalding

Kettering extended their unbeaten record and went to the summit of 3NW with a win away at Spalding 2nds. With a late start and drizzly conditions Kettering took time to get into their stride. The youthful hosts opened the scoring with a fine finish but this stirred Kettering into action and Grant Carlin's goal bound effort was deflected in by a defender. Kettering then scored a peach of a team goal when slick interplay by Jack Bridges, Andy Sellers and Mark Hawkins gave Carlin the chance to set up Pat Cawley whose first time shot rifled into the roof of the net. Having failed to score a League goal before it would appear that Cawley's new almost Voodooesque pre match ritual was bearing fruits. Kettering were unable to see out the half and a fast break by Spalding saw Kettering out of position and a 3v1 resulted in the inevitable goal. Kettering changed their attacking style slightly after the break and this had the desired effect as Spalding struggled to clear their lines. It was however on the counterattack that Kettering took the lead when a Carlin through ball gave Cawley a lung bursting one on one with the keeper and his early shot nestled in the corner. With their tails now up Kettering pushed on and Cawley completed his hat trick with a composed finish. Simon Evans saw green for a tackle and Carlin was unluckily green carded for being more sinned against than sinning. Andy Sellers completed the scoring with a well executed drive from open play.
Kettering go into next week's home game against unbeaten Cambridge City 4th in buoyant mood but this may well be their first real test at this level. 230 start at Bishop Stopford - all welcome.