Kettering pay for Kimbolton schooling

All slightly heavier after the festive period, KM2s travelled to Kimbolton to face Ben Mills' well-trained school team. Not knowing what to expect, there were forecasts ranging from a heavy defeat to a walkover for the away team. It was decided that the game would be played in three thirds of twenty five, twenty five and twenty minutes respectively. Whether or not this format was decided on beforehand or once the home-team had seen the waistlines of their opposition is still up for debate. Nevertheless, the extra rest period was much appreciated.
Kimbolton pushed back to Kettering in the given friendly manner and the game was under way. Some to-ing and fro-ing up and down the pitch seemed to indicate a stalemate, however this was not to be the case, as a well-worked Kimbolton short-corner put the score at an early 1 - 0. Kettering didn't lie down and die though; good attacking play forced the opposition goalkeeper to make his only two saves of the match from Oliver Smith's and Michael Lavender's shots. A short-corner smashed at goal by Luke Linford and then deflected in by George York to make the score 1 - 1. Kimbolton's speed and skill was causing Kettering all sorts of problems and constant short-corners were taking their toll on the Kettering runners. One such short-corner resulted in a penalty-stroke against Kettering as keeper Matt Coe was deemed to be sitting on the ball, yet Coe made up for his error by saving the stroke. Unfortunately, the save coupled with the equalising goal proved to be a false-dawn for Kettering, with Kimbolton scoring a second before the third ended. 2 - 1. Kettering weren't playing well, but they weren't playing badly either...
The next third began and a second stroke conceded by Adam Mills (who was lucky to stay on the pitch for the duration after playing some very agricultural hockey throughout the entire game - as it was a friendly the umpires elected not to get any cards out...) gave Kimbolton a 3 - 1 lead. It is here that the game seemed to completely slip from Kettering, who couldn't break down an incredibly well-structured and fit team. Barely any of Kettering's periods of possession crossed the halfway line; balls were constantly turned over just metres from the 'D'. Interestingly, none of Kimbolton's goals by the end of the third had come from open play: poor drag-flicks from Kimbolton were quickly mopped up by their other runners to leave the score at 5 - 1. Some great saves and tireless defensive work were keeping the score down, but there was absolutely no chance of Kettering scoring a second.
The final third began and seemed to slip by quickly, Kimbolton running riot over a knackered Kettering. A sixth and final goal surprised no-one except for the fact it came from open play. The period wasn't without other excitements though, as George York nearly broke through the Kimbolton defence several times and Kimbolton couldn't quite succeed in their own overloaded attacks. Mills received a dressing-down for "intentionally tripping over" a Kimbolton forward entering the 'D' and was told that he was a very naughty and very lucky boy. And so the game ended, Kettering fine with the result as they had been overwhelming out-classed. Bring on the league...
MoM: Matt Coe
DoD: Adam Mills

Tea Review - Chilli and rice at The Saddle, Kimbolton:
Solid stuff and the extra portions were appreciated. Given my limited experience, it seems like a nice-enough pub. Pretty much all you want after a tough game. 7/10.