Lie In Not Enough

Kettering went into this final game of the season with high hopes, as this was the only team they had officially beaten in the league. Things didn't start well even before leaving Kettering as they had to invade a home and drag a player from his bed. Still this was an important action as the full 11 man squad was needed for what proved to be an entertaining and close fought match.
Kettering started brightly with sleepyhead Matthew Wood controlling the midfield as they passed the ball around. Everything looked so good until a misunderstanding let the ball pass off the side line. The Sikh Union then started to get involved in the game mounted an attack of their own. The game became a contest of midfields as the ball travelled backwards and forwards through this area. Both defences held firm. A goalmouth scramble was well kept out by Gareth Tasker. A short corner was struck well at the other end but toe poked away from the goal. A second short corner was wildly missed. Then with the half coming to a close a long hopeful ball was struck forward from the Sikh Union defence, a lucky wobble caused it to lift sufficiently to hit the top edge of a stick instead of the middle. The high ball was brought down well for a second forward who, despite a desperate attempt to tackle, was able to slot the ball home with seconds left on the clock. A disappointing end to a good half.
When the second half started it seemed the half time voodoo for Kettering had been lifted as they took the game to the Sikh Union. Some great inter-passing saw the ball reach the goal line near the edge of the Sikh Union 'D'. Some neat work by Simon Chambers along the line opened up a square pass to the penalty spot, where Matthew 'Woody' Wood was on hand to slot the ball away. With heads high and hearts soaring Kettering continued to pile on the pressure, and were soon rewarded with their third short corner of the match. Up steps skipper Nick Cusk with a well placed drag flick an inch inside the left hand post. Great goal, and Kettering were ahead.
Another short corner soon followed and this time the skipper went for the other corner, as the powerful flick was heading just under the cross bar, a big gloved hand appeared to deflect it over the bar. Close but not quite there.
The Sikh Union once more managed to work themselves into the game, fashioning a couple of short corners of their own. But it was from open play that they managed to sneak an equaliser. The game once more became an end to end battle, with chances at both ends. Don Coleman fired over, Simon Chambers fired wide, Simon hit the post, Dominik Cusk hit the goalie, Gareth Tasker saved several shots. Then from a short corner the ball squirmed beneath Gareth and onto Tom Wards foot on the line. A penalty flick for the Sikh Union. It looked like a downer for Kettering. Gareth set himself and starred down the Sikh Union attacker, who promptly put the flick wide. A life line.
Once more battle ensued, more chances went begging and then with minutes to go the Sikh Union forward found himself some space in the 'D' and lifted the ball high into the goal. With little time remaining Kettering tried to drive the ball forward. Unfortunately there was not sufficient time for them to fashion another goal opportunity. There was however time for one more drama. Facing his own goal, skipper Nick Cusk, went for a diagonal square push pass forward, but a Sikh Union player came in low from behind and was accidentally struck in the face by the stick. His reaction was less than positive as he proceeded to accuse the skipper of deliberately hitting him. A rather hypocritical view considering in the first half when two Kettering players had attempted tackles from similar positions and one had been hit full in the stomach with a follow through it was Kettering who were warned to be careful where they tackled from. The Sikh Union player continued to berate Ketterings player and was seen to appear to spit in that players direction invoking an angry response from Geoff Elliott. These actions left the umpire with no alternative but to Yellow card both the Sikh Union player and Geoff Elliott. Not satisfied with what had happened so far the Sikh Union player continued to berate the players and the umpire which meant the Yellow was followed by a second and thus Red card. It took several minutes of 'discussion' before the game finally resumed for the final few seconds.
A rather sad way to end what had been a very exciting and entertaining match.