Kettering rewarded with a point

The scene was all too familiar this week with the bare 11 players and the sunshine coming out to blaze down on the players, however there was one major difference, positive mindset! Not wanting a repeat of last weeks dismal display, Kettering started the game with a desire to enjoy the game as well as to put in a good team performance.
Under the guidance of Jess Clarke, Kettering knew from the outset their tactics for their press, and this almost worked out well for them from the start as a ball found Toni Hustwait unmarked whose lifted shot at the goal just nicked the end of the goalkeepers stick. As the game settled Kettering worked tirelessly to press and support each other all over the pitch. Breaking down play and the focus on short sharp passing was on display, particularly in the middle from Sophie Reynolds and Charlie Fowle. It was however a long ball from captain Laura Beacon that found player of the match, Harriet Goswell in acres of space. With a quick, accurate pass she found Sienna McNeil who drove into the circle and after a bit of a scramble the ball popped out for a well-placed Megan Forader to tap the ball in to the goal. Solihull pushed hard from the push back and we’re rewarded with a penalty corner. They soon equalised as another bobbly, bouncing ball found its way past Nik Baker in goal. Going in to the half time break Kettering were happy with their performance so far and knew they needed to find the energy to want the win more than the opposition.
The second half did not disappoint in terms of effort from everyone, and despite Solihull trying to infiltrate any pocket of space they could find, Kettering stoodfast and continued with their game plan. The second half saw both sides attack and defend in bursts and both sides were unlucky to not find their second goal. In the last five minutes of the game Kettering pushed forwards with Beacon driving into the circle and winning a long corner. This was taken quickly and the home side were rewarded with a penalty corner. Unfortunately the side couldn’t capitalise on this but were awarded a second following a stick tackle on Clarke. The routine didn’t quite go to plan due to the stickiness of the drying pitch and the corner was cut out by the Solihull defense. As the final whistle blew Kettering were relieved to have taken a point from this tough game and more importantly, were able to feel proud and positive related to their team performance. Onwards and upwards!