Off and Running

Kettering Mens 2nd team made their first trip across to the Fens for the start of the East League. Before a whistle was blown the home team had to be reminded of the rules regarding players playing 'down', which was met with... an interesting choice of words... by one spectator (assumedly the father of the player no longer allowed to play the game) to the Kettering captain.

However, the game started with Kettering immediately pressing hard and completely dominating in terms of possession, and position. However, some world class goalkeeping by the home team kept the scores level at 0-0. More and more Kettering pressed, and eventually a bit of luck (long overdue) came the way of Kettering, after a loose ball broke to the Kettering captain, who drove into the D before laying off to George York, who managed to sweep the ball into the goal (with a LOT of help from a March foot).

Despite further pressure, the stand out player of the March team (their 'keeper), very much kept them in the game, and March even managed a period of sustained attacked for the final 5 minutes of the half, but solid defence by the Kettering back line left March without even managing a shot at goal. 1-0 half time

The second half started in the same vain. Kettering pressed and won the ball back high time and time again, and fast, accurate passing combined with some brilliant running off the ball meant March were really fighting to keep the scores down. Again their goalkeeper pulled off some miracle saves, but it was only a matter of time until the inevitable 2nd goal, again scored by George York, and again with a lot of luck on his side. After that the Kettering team really started to flow, and the goals came at pretty regular intervals thereafter. Young George York finished off his customary Hat Trick with an exceptional lob of the March goalkeeper. Andy Bull snuck another one in; Sam Deprisco nutmegged the 'keeper to make it 5 before Jason Clarke popped up at the right place to add the cream to the performance. An exceptional game by all, and a very deserved win.

We must give special mention to the guys at the back; Adam Duell, James Hogg, Ollie Smith, Archie Colwill, Neil Freeman and Jake Coleman. Between them the managed to completely shut out the opposition. The best statistic of this game is not the 6 goals scored, or the 0 conceded, but the fact that the opposition didn't manage a single shot at goal from open play during the entire game. Their only two 'shots' came from short corners. One blocked by James Hogg running out at first position, and the second too high to count, and blocked on the line anyway!

Man of the Match went to Archie Colwill, who once again didn't put a foot wrong for 70 minutes!!
Dobbin of the Day was a 3 way tie between George York, Ollie Smith and Adam Duell (being outpaced by their oldest player twice!!). However, George York managed to come away with it for his antics after the game!!