Kettering triumph in difficult game.

Kettering expected a difficult fixture when the Sikh Union came to town for the last game of the first half of the season. The game was entirely as expected with the opposition looking to impose their physicality and Kettering players struggling to maintain their free passing style. It was however Kettering who took the lead mid-way through the first half. A well worked move resulting in a bit of a scramble in the D. The loose ball falling to Jason Clarke who finished with aplomb.
The rest of this half was marred by a row that erupted after Simon Chambers, took a free hit quickly from close to five yards outside the D, ran it diagonally into the D, and fired a screamer into the top corner. The goal was initially given, then when the Sikh Union players surrounded the umpire and discussion ensured between the umpires which resulted in the goal being disallowed. This led to angry scenes as Kettering felt aggrieved at the change.
At half time the two teams retired to their respective goals to try to work out how to cement a victory. Kettering thus started the second half on the front foot, pushing and probing at the Sikh defence. However it was the Sikh Union who managed to get the breakthrough. A long hopeful ball somehow evading the Kettering defence and finding its way to a Sikh forward, who then drove into the D and managed to flick the ball past the Kettering keeper. The Sikh Union might have had a second a few minutes later if they had a bit more composure in front of goal. Instead they fired wildly wide of the reverse. Moments later it was Kettering who retook the lead with another well worked move between Phil Rowbotham, Simon Chambers, Jack Bridges and finished by Dominik Cusk.
Five minutes later SImon Chambers managed to score another goal, this time not disallowed to put some distance between the two teams. This seamed to deflate the Sikh Union who ran out of ideas for playing hockey, instead chasing players. Jason Clarke showed tenacity and courage to ride several strong tackles before reaching the goal-line well wide of the mark. His incredible strike from this impossible angle finding the far top corner of the goal for what must be the best goal of the season so far.
Later it fell to the club top scorer Dominik Cusk to finish another well worked move, this time with Jason Clarke firing the ball into the D, for Jack Bridges to neatly flick it over the diving Sikh Goalie, for the waiting Dominik to finish it off once again.
With only a few minutes to go there was still time for one last piece of action, this time caused by a Sikh forwards very strong challenge on the edge of the Kettering D. Kettering defender Adam Duell certainly felt it but did well not to react. Simon Chambers saw yellow late on.
5-1 to Kettering, Hurrah a WIN.