Kettering 2's 7-0 Spalding 4's

Kettering knew nothing less than a win would be good enough after last week. And they did so in some style!!

Immediately from the start Kettering forced Spalding into mistakes with their high press. With the ball the Kettering teams passing was fast and accurate, and they looked dangerous with almost every touch. It didn't take long for this pressure to tell, as 6 minutes into the game the deadlock was broken with some fine play ended up with George York scoring his first for the day.

The play continued in the same fashion, and Kettering scored more goals (every 6 minutes) through some great and unselfish play from George York, setting up brother Ben York for a tap-in at the back post, and then efforts from Ethan Smart and Ollie Smith.

Possibly the biggest question mark of the first half came from Graham Smart. A miss-trapped ball bounced up over the stick for Graham to attempt a one handed catch at slip (wrong sport unfortunately!!). To compound things further, a poor attempt resulted in the 'catch' being dropped. Almost unanimous voting after the game was assured!

The first half wasn't without some moments though, as Spalding managed to win themselves a number of short corners, but never really looked comfortable with their injections, making the task for the Kettering back 5 relatively simple. The last 5-10 minutes Kettering seemed to switch off, allowing Spalding to start to assert some pressure, but Kettering again held firm into half time, 4-0 to the good.

Into the second half and Kettering started with their intensity back. Goal difference might be crucial at the end of the season, so two things were clear. Score more goals, and don't concede! Both tasks were achieved fairly convincingly in the end, with another goal from Ethan Smart, and then two more from George York to complete the customary hat-trick. The third goal by George deserves special mention after a slapped ball into the 'D' was deflected up into the air off a Spalding stick, for George, in plenty of space, to play a cricket like hook shot which gave the Spalding 'keeper absolutely no chance as if flew into the top corner . Despite protests from Spalding of danger, the umpires both agreed there was no danger from the lifted ball, and the shot was a shot on target. Goal given!

Kettering are in a great position heading into business end of the season, knowing that the league is theirs to lose!

Peterborough travel to Kettering next week, and Kettering will look to further cement their position at the top of the table.