Kettering 2s 6 - 0 St Neots 4s

Kettering hosted St Neots 4th team for one the earlier starts of the season, hoping to put last weeks loss behind them quickly.

Kettering won the toss and chose to switch sides, playing into the wind in the first half, on the assumption that the wind was due to pick up in the second half. The opening exchanges were very frantic, with St Neots experienced side not allowing the Kettering players to get into their stride. But the constant pressure would eventually tell, as young Archie Colwill turned the opposition defence inside out before laying a perfect pass into the 'D' for Ollie Smith to fire home. As an added bonus, one of the St Neots players was also carded for a very rash challenge on Archie in the build up. Kettering failed to make use of the extra man during the next 2 minutes, however it was only another 3 minutes after St Neots were back to a full compliment that the second went in. A very straightforward short corner routine saw captain Ricky Payne inject the ball, with Jason Clarke stopping the ball perfectly for Sam Deprisco... to completely miss hit the ball. However, as often is the case with the miss-hit shots, the defence and goalkeeper were completely wrong footed and a fairly slow, bouncing ball crossed the line!
Sam Deprisco's second goal just before half time was a much better taken goal, with some brilliant passing and moving build up play, and Sam being the player to add the finishing touch.

Kettering went into half time 3-0 up and looking very good for the score line. The second half saw Kettering picking up right where the left off, and within the first five minutes, a strong contender for the shot of the season saw Kettering stretch their lead. Some very relaxed defending saw James Hogg able to drive into the 'D', and then have more than enough time to line up and hit a peach of a reverse stick shot, leaving the opposition goalkeeper no chance and finding the corner of the goal.

Here is St Neots succinct version of events:-
St Neots version of events

For the next 10 minutes Kettering seemed to let their foot off the gas, and the play became quite fractured, giving St Neots much more possession and territory. However, some fantastic defending by Jake Coleman and man of the match Archie Colwill made sure St Neots didn't get a chance of a shot at goal. Once Kettering picked up the pace again, another great ball across the goal, this time by top scorer George York, coupled with a well timed run in front of the 'keeper meant Ollie Smith doubled his tally for the day. Not one to be left out, George York also found the back of the goal himself, making the score 6-0 Ollie Smith had a chance with the very last play of the game to make it 7, and complete his hat-trick, but the ball hit his foot before he put it in the back of the net.

Kettering will take a lot form this game, and will look to follow up with another performance next week against St Neots 3rd team at Longsands Academy.