Westleigh 10-0 Kettering 3s

The last game of the 3rd’s pre-season saw a significant step up in class of opposition. The game represented the first appearances of the season for Phil Coward and Mike Ramsay, with Westleigh providing Kettering with a goalkeeper.

From the first whistle it was clear that the speed of movement, quality of passing and general play was far beyond anything Kettering had played this pre-season, and saw the first goal conceded as early as the four minute, although this was a scrappy goal as a result of pressure as Kettering couldn’t clear their box.

Goals came at regular intervals for the Westleigh team throughout the first half, with four goals being scored, all from short corners as Westleigh worked through a number of variations. There was a scare in the 11th minute, as Mike had to come off feeling the effects after recovery from an operation (although he did return for the last few moments of the game).

In what was a challenging first half, the team continued to try and play some decent hockey, with Phil showing some good determination to prevent further goals.

A tactical change at half time, with one of the forwards dropping in front of the back four, bought some solidity to the Kettering play, and for the first 15 minutes of the second half, matched their opponents, enjoying some good possession in the Westleigh half. However, the superior fitness of the Westleigh team started to show in the later stages of the half, and scored a further 5 goals without reply.

Kettering showed great commitment until the end, in the face of a never ending tide of Westliegh attacks, as the team closed out preparations for next week’s first league game.