Kettering 2's 6-2 St Neots 3's

Kettering's position at the top of division 5NW is entirely in their own hands, so they know there can be no slip ups until the end of the year!!

St Neot's 3rd team came to town, looking to repeat their victory over Kettering earlier in the season. For Kettering, this was their chance to avenge the reverse (a game most at Kettering thought they should have won).

Things didn't start well, with Kettering unable to string any meaningful plays together, and St Neots having much the better play, and successfully winning a number of short corners. With Ketterings number 1 runner still not quite at full fitness, St Neots had a little more time at the top of the 'D' from these short corners, and put two away with strong shots at goal. They could have had another, but for a great block form 2nd runner Jake Coleman.

Kettering did eventually start to find some rhythm, and at times looked like their usual selves. Toward the end of the first half, some good passing play resulted in a strong shot saved by the St Neots goalkeeper, only for Ethan Smart to calmly lift the ball over the floored 'keeper to get Kettering on the score sheet.

Half time came with Kettering still a goal behind, but not worried. The game plan was still the same; knowing that they had the extra players (St Neots not having any substitutes), and a definite age advantage, Kettering just had to move the ball faster and wait for the opposition to tire.

Into the second half, Kettering's passing accuracy and speed increased, and at times became unplayable. This was proven with Kettering's second goal. Starting from their own 16, some short, sharp passing led to George York receiving the ball inside the opposition 25, for him to drive to the baseline and slip the ball inside to Ricky Payne, whose 1st time ball across the 'D' found Ollie Smith, who buried the ball. Back on even terms and looking much the stronger team, Kettering started to really push forward, and more great passing along with some great finishes resulted in another goal apiece for Ethan Smart and Ollie Smith. George York, the current top goal scorer at the club, also bagged himself a brace to keep at the top of that particular chart!

Kettering will have to make sure that they don't repeat the slow start in their remaining fixtures as they aim to win the league, but they are in a great position as things stand!

This is what St Neots thought click HERE