Kettering 10-1 Spalding2

Kettering produced a near perfect 10 as they launched a second half blitz on a Spalding side who were in the game until early in the second half. League leaders Kettering knew this would be a tricky fixture as Spalding are in a spot of relegation bother and fighting for any points they can get. Kettering were fast out of the blocks and two early goals by Grant Carlin settled the nerves but then keeper Barry Coe was sin binned and Kettering had to shore up the back while he was off, Ross Mathieson donning the mask and acting as temporary custodian. While down to ten Kettering even managed to hit the post through Lewis Pywell. Once back up to full numbers Kettering continued to dominate and just before half time Dom Cusk diverted in an Andy Sellers cross to make the half time score 3-0.
Kettering knew Spalding would come out fighting and they did just that, pulling a goal back within a minute of the restart. This fired Kettering into action and they then launched a barrage at the Spalding goal. A Mathieson shot was illegally stooped on the line and Sellers confidently dispatched the resulting penalty. Carlin completed his hat trick before Spalding’s frantic ta Klingon saw them reduced temporarily to nine players. With fifteen minutes to go Kettering turned on the afterburners and they laid siege to the visitors goal. Lewis Pywell rounded the keeper to score, Pat Cawley converted another penalty stroke then completed his brace following a fine pass from Cusk. Cusk then denied Cawley a hat trick by cheekily tapping in his shot from close range. There was still time for Mathieson to get on the scoresheet to complete the ten.
Kettering were highly delighted with the performance and with March drawing for the second game running are now clear at the top of 3NW.
Next week sees a Super Saturday as Kettering travel to second placed Cambridge City, one of only two teams to lower their colours this season. It promises to be a cracker.

Spalding's version of events is here