No shots, 1 goal, 3 points.

Another week, another bottomish of the table clash. Skipper Paul Donnelly had a full squad of 14 and Camb City arrived with 15. A high tempo game was expected. Despite being buoyed by last week’s win Kettering started slowly and in a chaotic opening 15 minutes City had most of the play. Chances were few and far between though. A lifted shot across the goal being the closest they came. Kettering gained a foothold in the game, Ethan Roberts missing a good chance. Both teams had the odd short corner but it was Kettering’s second one that eventually proved decisive. A shot from Darren Brookes was going wide (some would unkindly say well wide) but a generous City defender volleyed it into the opposite top corner.
The second half saw plenty of City pressure, and territory, and possession but Kettering held firm. The back two of Donnelly and Man of the Match Dean “tight man” Grace repelled everything that came their way. Brookes controlled the middle with “treacle legs” Jacques and Ellis Grant again enhanced his growing reputation with another all action display. Jacques took a couple of minute green and also managed to accidentally fell a City player with his only decent reverse stick hit of the afternoon. Ethan had a deflected shot saved by the keeper’s shoulder but Kettering never really looked like extending their lead and City will wonder how they failed to get something out of the game. City had a barrage of short corners towards the end but their routines never really looked like piercing the resolute Kettering defence.
This win rockets Kettering to the 7th in the league and leaves a big gap now between them and the drop zone.
Next week sees a trip to Spalding who Kettering dispatched 3-0 in the first round but we all know Spalding at home are a very different beast.