Four league wins on the spin

Kettering travelled to Ely City looking to extend their recent impressive run of form in the league. The visitors' side included Tim McDowell, who dragged himself off his sick bed to play, and Callum Hennell, who featured for the first time this season.

The home side had to start with a kicking back but still remained quite difficult to break down at the back. Kettering were patient and stuck to their gameplan. The opening goal came after an incisive through ball found Peter Wenje in space in the circle and he calmly slotted home.

Kettering were keeping possession well and looked threatening up front through Hennell, McDowell and Wenje. Dan Carter joined the attack and good interplay with Ben Smith set up a chance for the skipper Neil Manley. His shot was accurately placed and the defender on the line was powerless to keep it out.

The visitors continued to press forward, looking to extend their lead. Justin Smith, on a furtive run from left back, found himself in space at the back post. Unfortunately for Kettering, his shot came back off the post.

After the half-time interval, the home side, now complete with goalie, looked to get a foothold in the game but good work in midfield from Adam Mills and birthday boy, Ben York, meant that Kettering remained on top.

Ely remained a threat on the break. A run from their centre midfielder seemed to be innocuous enough but he managed to squeeze in a mishit shot that snuck in at the near post. This buoyed the home side and they forced a series of penalty corners but Kettering keeper Gareth Tasker was never seriously troubled.

With five minutes to go, Kettering applied icing to the cake. Neil Manley picked the ball up outside the 25, evaded one challenge and then spotted a gap in the home defence. He surged into the circle and powerfully fired across the keeper into the far corner to seal a deserved victory.

Next week, Kettering travel to play Cambridge South 4 with high hopes of continuing their good run.