Peterborough 7s 1 - 9 Kettering 2s

Kettering rose bright and early for their only 10:00am start of the season, away against league strugglers P'boro 7's. Kettering were aware before the match that underestimating this team would not be wise, as this same team stole a late 2-1 win last season.

Even before the match started there was some drama, as Kettering arrived to the pitch before the home team, and had managed to commandeer the 'home' dug out!

After an agreed 2 minute silence to commemorate remembrance day, the game started. Kettering were very aggressive form the off, applying their usual high press and forcing Peterborough back immediately, rarely giving them any easy options. With the ball, Ketterings slick passing game seemed to hit another gear, possibly due the space offered by the home team. It was only a matter of time before the contact pressure told, and it did with Sam Deprisco slotting home. Shortly after this, a crash ball into 'd' was missed by the defender and calmly deflected in by Simon Evans, only to be ruled out as the umpire as the final touch by Simon was missed.

The second half saw Kettering push forward again and again, and some outstanding goals followed, many of these starting right from the back, with young defender Jake Coleman starting the move that resulted in one of the goals of the game. A solid tackle to pick the ball from the Peterborough forward on a rare attack, a great ball out to the midfield. Two or three quick passes through the midfield, and a final ball slotted between the two Peterborough centre half's for Ollie Smith to run onto and slot home.

Sam Deprisco did manage to complete his hat trick late on with a diving effort to get a touch to deflect a crash ball into the net. However, some later pressure from Peterborough mixed with some very relaxed defending from the Kettering midfield and back line results in a very well taken goal for a Peterborough forward to somewhat dampen the results. However, on reflection, the Peterborough team will probably feel that their tireless efforts, never giving up, deserved their reward in the end.

The game finished 9-1 in favour of Kettering, with goals coming from Sam Deprisco (3), George York (2), Adam Duell, Ricky Payne, Ollie Smith and Simon Evans. A special mention must also be made to man of the match James Hogg, who picked his times to push forward well and offered a great attacking threat all game.