Cambridge Payne at the hands of York

By far the toughest challenge (for the third week running, it would appear) KM2s have faced, an inspired team performance proved enough to beat a very competitive Cambridge South team.
The game began in the lightest drizzle of the day and, with three substitutes Kettering were confident of their ability to run the bare 11 Cambridge off the pitch - it was the hockey that needed to be up to scratch. Periods of intense play passed with the ball being pummelled up to either end of the pitch, but neither team could find the back of the net; Kettering certainly looked the most in control. George York, hungry for goals after his incessant scoring last season managed to finish off an engulfing attack that cut open the incredibly strong Cambridge back-line with lightning-fast passes. 1 - 0. Sadly, the lead was not to last long as Kettering succumbed to their 'Achilles heel' and let in another cross that trickled in slowly from the left along the base-line and bounced off keeper Matt Coe's kickers, backheeling it perfectly to the centre-forward who slid it in, despite some "salmon-like" convulsions from the beached goalie. Kettering managed to ride out the first half under immense pressure that just couldn't amount to a second Cambridge goal. Kettering certainly felt they should be ahead.
Half-time came and went and Kettering began the second half with burning intensity; although it appears that half-time wasn't long enough for Captain Ricardo Payne who decided to make a desperate, albeit it necessary, tackle to earn himself a green card and two minutes off. Things quickly began to get heated. A series of awful tackles from Kettering and accusations of diving directed at Neil Freeman; the beach-like nature of the pitch was responsible for Freeman's trip, for it is well known that he otherwise has the poise, grace and balance of a ballerina. True to Kettering form, a botched short corner ended up going in as Adam Duell's wayward shot was poked in at the right-hand post by Payne, who was so pleased with himself that he decided he deserved another rest and produced a horror tackle to earn himself five minutes off to feel smug. 2 - 1. Deja vu struck as Kettering scored another haphazard short-corner, only this time George York's stick was on the receiving end of another Duell rocket. York also celebrated in style with brother Ben, with a worryingly prepared celebration worthy of Premier League footballers. 3 - 1, against all odds and remained that way until the end of the game.
It was evident Cambridge had come expecting to win and instead had been out played by an increasingly sharp Kettering team. Next week sees KM2s come up against Cambridge South 2s, who will be relishing the chance to avenge their 3rd team at home. Hopefully Kettering can quell their ambitions too.

MoM: George York

DoD: Ricardo Payne

#FortressBish

There's two sides to every story, so if you'd like to read the opposition match report (when they put it in, as there isn't one at time of publication) and see how much it correlates the link is: https://www.cambridgesouthhockeyclub.co.uk/matches/2733/