Men's 3rd XI share the points at Cambridge Nomads

Kettering travelled to Cambridge Nomads facing an opponent who were also competing at the top of the league. The visitors took a little while to find their feet and get into the rhythm of the match. However, after the early forays, Kettering started to control the game. They worked the ball across the pitch and played especially well down the right-hand side with good work from Hal Robinson, Mark Hawkins and Ben Smith.
About halfway through the first half, Kettering took the lead. Mark Hawkins earned a short corner with a trademark skilful run. From the resultant set-piece the ball was switched to Ben Mills but his initial shot was saved by the goalkeeper, Hawkins couldn't get a clean strike but the loose ball fell to captain Neil Manley who flicked it high into the net.
Nomads tried to get back into the game with their experienced midfielder making purposeful runs but the visiting defence was able to prevent any clear-cut chances being created.

Into the second half and Kettering looked to carry on where they left off. Harry Tanser was a constant threat up front but the Nomads defence held firm. After 15 minutes, the Nomads danger-man made his mark. A surging run down the left channel wasn't dealt with and he played a neat one-two that took him into the top of the circle. Subsequently, he fired his first-time shot across Ray Norwood and into the far corner of the goal.
Kettering looked to bounce back through Robinson and Hawkins who made several penetrating runs down the right channel. Unfortunately for them, they never quite managed to create the gilt-edged chance that the visitors wanted.
With ten minutes to go, Hawkins made another burst into the circle only to be stopped by a crude stick tackle. Amazingly, no penalty flick was awarded. Shortly afterwards Tanser was stopped by a well-timed, last ditch sliding tackle. Surprisingly, the umpire awarded a penalty corner to Kettering. They couldn't take advantage however, as the best that could be managed was a short-range shot from Manley that was half-blocked and scrambled clear. The intensity was ramped up even further as Mills tried to hit a first-time cross hard into the circle. The Nomads defender who was in close proximity took exception to the action and reacted angrily with a push to the chest of the Kettering player. During the fracas that followed, the umpire decided to take no action but Hawkins did earn himself a green card for dissent.
Youngster Hal Robinson showed great skill and composure to ignore the increased tension in the air and press forward to look for the winning goal. Unfortunately for Kettering it never came and they had to settle for a creditable away draw.
Next week Kettering travel to St Ives to play their last game of the league campaign before the Christmas break.