Youngsters shine in battling loss

In the latest game in the 3rds pre-season, first starts of the season were given to Archie Colwill and Neil Manley. Kettering were hampered by the late withdrawal through illness of keeper Gareth Tasker. Fortunately, Melton were able to supply a goalkeeper and substitute player.

In the opening period, both teams showed good passing but were tentative in committing numbers forward. However, in the 13th minute, some good play down the Kettering right led to a shot by Ben Smith, but was cleared. A few minutes later, a good interception and driving run by Tim McDowell created a good chance for Ben York, with the shot going just wide.

Kettering were controlling the game, with Melton showing little as an attacking force, but in the 26th minute, a fast counter attack was neatly finished through the keeper's legs for the first goal of the game. Kettering tried to respond immediately, but another run from Tim ended with a shot just wide. Melton were restricted to very few chances, but another counter attack in the 31st minute led to some scrambling defence, with the final shot going well wide.

Kettering went in a half time a goal down, having dominated possession and territory. The quality of passing was an improvement on the previous week, with Archie and Ed Jennings looking assured in defence, showing good skills and not look out of place against much older opposition.

The opening of the second half started quietly, with nothing of note occurring in the first 20 minutes, but was then followed by a period with 5 goals in 12 minutes. In the 63rd minute, more good play down the Kettering resulted with the ball being played into the ‘D’, and whilst the initial shot was mishit, the loose ball was picked up by Kettering's guest player, who placed the ball high into the net to bring Kettering level. This brought an immediate response from Melton, who quickly scored from a short corner (66th minute) and another in the 68th minute after some impressive interplay. Kettering started to throw numbers forward, and an incisive pass from Neil was flicked wide by Dan Carter. Almost immediately, Melton applied pressure down the Kettering left, the ball was centred and neatly swept home for Melton’s 4th goal. In the 35th, good play down the right from Neil and Tony Heath saw Tim score the last goal of the game.

The second half lost some of the fluency of the first half, and the score line did not reflect and closely contested game. Whilst Kettering suffered a defeat, the performance was an improvement on the previous week, and is encouraging as they approach the first competitive game of the season. The performances of the five under-16 players in particular demonstrates the potential of the team.