CoP5 cop 9

After last week’s disappointing defeat City of Peterborough 5 felt the brunt of Kettering’s frustration as they were ground down in the first half and blitzed in the second.
A lot has changed in the last year as these sides, both promoted last year, find themselves at opposite ends of Division 3NW. CoP have struggled for points and goals while Kettering have been scoring goals for fun, especially at home and Saturday was no exception.
With CoP aware of the threat posed by the hosts they proverbially ‘parked the bus’ and it took Kettering time to break the visitors down. Chances came and went but Lewis Pywell broke the deadlock with a terrific reverse stick shot. Grant Carlin doubled the lead. Keeper Barry Coe was called on to make a Smart save when CoP had a rare excursion into Kettering territory.
With teenage debutants James Hogg and Adam Mills settling well into first team hockey Kettering upped the ante in the second half and a procession of goals followed as CoP could find no outlet to relieve the pressure. Goals were scored by Pywell and Carlin again, Dom Cusk bagged a brace, Andy Sellers, a Pat Cawley penalty stroke and a Hogg deflection finished the rout. Peterborough can now focus on their relegation battle while Kettering play out the season looking for back to back promotions. In 3NW Bourne beat March 9-3 to almost put March out of the picture and its looking like a three horse race for two promotion spots. Kettering ideally need Cambridge City to win all their remaining games. Kettering host Bourne last game of the season.