We have lift off….

We all knew it was going to happen, but didn’t know when. Kettering 2s managed to keep all eleven players on the pitch for the entire 70 minutes. And by doing that secured their first victory of the season in what ended up a fairly comfortable afternoon.
An early(ish) meet and another Hawkins Snr whiteboard session to, admittedly, go over exactly what people weren’t listening to the previous five weeks set us up nicely along with a short burst of James (for the old people, and not Sit Down, which is what our players tend to be asked to do during the game).
The late arriving Mills, still serving the remainder of last week’s yellow card, bolstered our numbers to 15 as Kettering welcomed back Hawkins junior, previously suspended skipper Donnelly and glass backed cricket lover Brookes. Also making a welcome return after at least a couple of years absence was our very own friend from the South Jacques. This all combined to turn Kettering into an all action high intensity hockey machine.
The first twenty minutes saw Kettering swarm over Spalding but not able to turn the scoreboard in blue numbers (to coin a Ryder Cupism). Brookes was rolling back the years in midfield aided by Jacques and the whole team was ticking. Spalding were getting minimal possession and even then under great pressure.
It was a short corner that broke the deadlock when skipper Donnelly’s goal bound shot was stolen by George “don’t shoot from there” Hockley (Paul’s words, not mine, he picks the team so who am I to argue).
It was defender turned midfielder turned forward (don’t people usually go the other way as they get older?) Adam Duell who doubled the lead . It probably came from good attacking play down the right by Haydn, pulled across and Adam fired home. With no alarms at the defensive end Kettering strolled into the dugout comfortably in control. Manager Hawkins Snr gave the more of the same speech.
The second half did see Kettering drop the intensity and allowed Spalding a couple of half chances but the defence was this week not for conceding. Hockley was in the right place again to roll the ball in the corner from the top of the D to put the hosts 3 to the good but it was young Dell’Utri who could have been celebrating as his first volley hit the goalkeeper clean in the Crown Jewels, his second rocketed by the top corner and his third glanced the post. An almost hat trick.
An excellent curry served by Ben after the game and on offer cider (prices will get lower on a weekly basis I guess) capped an excellent day.
Onwards, or eastwards to Wisbech next week who currently sit top of the nascent table. Is that because of their new pitch or because they’ve not played much. I guess we’ll find out next week.

#theonlywayisup #mediocritybeckons #ghastlyparmavioletcider