Traffic issues and a slightly hungover captain started the preparations in a slight panic.

Having only 9 players with only 2 minutes to go till the push back captain Shaun started his delaying tactics with the Umpires and the opposition captain. In reality they were more than happy to delay for a few moments especially when we noticed Tim and Kieron Plevin arrived to some fan fair. Stuart Mitchell was also caught in the traffic but he was definitely worth the wait but more on that later.

Fraser Cairns coming back to his spiritual home in the 4ths with a lot more hair than before was reunited in his dynamic midfield partnership with our other long haired youngster Dan Carter.

A first senior game for young Leyton Paris was a very impressive start playing both in an attacking role in the first half and then a defensive role in the second.

Kieron Plevin having played a few games last season really showed what he can do with his pace and tenacity often scaring the opposition and making plenty of opportunities.

The first half started very even till half way through when Kettering started to control the possession and the territory, showing some good hockey, strong running and good defense when faced with quick counter attacks. However despite having some very good chances, Kettering couldn't take advantage.

The half time team talk was was positive as the hockey was good but could be even better. The idea for the second half was to really get wide and try to pull defenders out so we had more space and for Lee Paris and Shaun Curtis to maybe make that sound that every hockey player love the sound of ball on backboard wood - is there a sweater sound? Tim Plevin also made the prediction that we will win the game 3-0 which might be why Lee missed so many to make his friends prediction come true.

The second half started and as discussed we were playing with a lot more width, meaning we could pull defenders out and then move the ball easier around the pitch and give Frazer who was full of his usual strong running only a few players to maneuver instead of half a team and it brought its rewards with 3 second half goals 2 from Paris (who admitted could of had a lot more after the game) I forget the actual details to these goals really only that good team play, strong running, speed and moving the ball quickly. Kieron Plevin for the first that I do remember.

The third goal needs its own paragraph. Stuart Mitchell making up for his late arrival picked the ball just outside the D, taking on the first easily, then the second and then the third to move to his left and reverse stick the ball past the keeper. It was honestly sensational and I am probably not doing it justice but Stuarts assessment afterward was showing us the reverse of his stick and stating "I am not sure what happened".

Like previously alluded to the hockey was good then it got even better. League starts next week.