Kettering Ladies XI were hoping to maintain their winning ways this weekend but it was not meant to be. Nerves and pressure seemed to work against the ladies today and with players missing, players in unfamiliar positions and a new layer of sand in the pitch, confidence wasn't high at the start of the game.
There was no doubt that Kettering started the game the better team and kept Ashby penned in their own half. Within the first 20 minutes the ball was entering the opposition circle from all directions with driving runs and passes from Mally Dolphin, Emma Findlay and Megan Forader, finding player of the match Harriet Goswell and Mandy Starsmore-Young in potentially threatening positions. Unfortunately the home side just could not convert any of the opportunities. Frustration was building both with the flow of the game and the bouncy pitch which made it difficult for both sides to gain control of the ball and many mid-timed tackles were apparent, one such tackle resulting in Toni Hustwait receiving a green card. Kettering were desperate to get the goal they deserved and tried to press forward but it was a long ball and an unfortunate bounce that saw the high Ashby forward through on goal and their one attempt at the Kettering goal became the first goal of the game. Heads went down for the home side and so it was over to coach Jamie Dodd to give the side a stern telling off at half time to pick them back up.
As the second half progressed it was clear that Kettering were still the better side but were not having the luck with a number of penalty corners not working and passes not quite reaching their final destination. It was Ashby that found the goal on their second attack of the game with another clinical finish, although Kettering could feel a bit put out by a couple of missed umpiring decisions, which then led to the goal. Ashby only entered the circle three times in the whole game in comparison to Kettering who were in the double figures by the end with their attacking penetrations.
In any other game these attacks would have resulted in goals galore but today was just not their day and with other players missing next week the team need to dust themselves off and go into next weeks game confident of getting a result.