From Beach to (Wis)Bech

This week Kettering fours team travelled from the beach that is the Bishop pitch to the Fenland town of Wisbech to play on their new fast astroturf.

The weather was set fair with a low sun on the cold crisp afternoon of November. The 4s travelled with confidence after a number of good results against higher opposition so were hoping for a good result. But when they arrived at the pitch they were in for a surprise, the opposition looked more experienced than the team that were seen to face Kettering thirds earlier in the season. Was this a team of ringers?

After a two minute of silence to commemorate Armistice Day the match began. The opening skirmishes showed that the teams were evenly matched. Wisbech tried to apply the pressure but Kettering’s midfield and defence stayed firm and resolute. During these early attacks Kettering could only manage the occasional counter attack by passing the ball out wide to Caleb Fox and Sebastion Persaud on the wings who had the pace and skill to get behind the static Wisbech defence. After five minutes of play the first real incident of note occurred. A Wisbech player hit a heavy lifted ball which struck Kettering’s youngest player Thomas Smith’s left knee. He bravely limped off to receive an ice pack and to sit out the rest of the half. The effervescent and speedy James Wenman came on as a replacement.

For the next ten minutes both teams huffed and puffed with Kettering on balance creating the better chances. One particular slick move, which saw the ball transfer out of defence through midfield to the forwards resulted in Caleb managing to break through the Wisbech defence. Caleb took the ball past the tall keeper and expertly placed the ball onto the left hand post, a chance wasted. During the next Kettering attack a short corner was won. The Skipper injected to the top of the D to find Neil Freeman, who following on from his goal scoring exploits in the previous match was confident he could score. Neil struck the ball beautifully and blasted the ball into the back of the net but the goal was denied because the ball was lifted dangerously. These chances spurred on the Wisbech team for some sustained hockey where Kettering struggled to regain the control they had. Eventually they pulled the Kettering midfield and defence out of position enough for one of the Wisbech midfielders to find himself in space in the D and slotted the ball home despite the best efforts of the Kettering Keeper who couldn’t get a firm enough glove onto it. Therefore 1 – 0 down just before half time but Kettering weren’t down and out because they knew they have the skill, resilience and teamwork to fight back. Finishing the half strongly with attacks of their own but the half time whistle went before they could score.

The second half started with the words of the Captain ringing in our ears. Got to continue working hard, keeping our shape and continuing to communicate with each other and to try to get the ball out wide. Kettering managed to have their best period of the game both defensively and attacking wise. Wisbech were showing their frustration by beginning to argue with each other about their poor decisions on the field and with the umpires. This allowed Kettering to have some sustained pressure with Caleb proving to be a significant threat down the right and the young Seb down the left. Both produced great form of skill which created chances. Seb was inches away from turning a blistering cross by Caleb into the net. The Wisbech defence were rocked and eventually they gave away another short corner. In almost a replica of the disallowed first half goal, the ball eventually found Neil at the top of the D and in space. Neil then powered the ball past the tallest keeper in the league, but this time it was along the ground. 1-1 with around 15 minutes to go.

Despite Wisbech frustration in the first part of the half, they managed to pull themselves together and work as a team. They began to apply some pressure to the hardworking defence and created two or three clear chances which managed to isolate the Kettering defenders but with the chance to get clear shots on target they either placed the ball wide or resulted in a misplaced pass. Kettering were able to recover the ball and start a counterattack. With one clearance from the defenders the ball was passed to Nigel Parkes who playing in a unfamiliar midfield position he found himself in space with just the keeper to beat and no defenders near him. The dusky light must have affected his eyesight because with just the keeper to beat, the goal is mercy he managed to hit the keeper’s pads. A chance of victory was denied.

After this, the game then resorted to the usual ebb and flow as either team searched for the winning goal. Wisbech just about gained the upper hand but the try as they might the Kettering team kept them out holding on for a fair result.

Over a splendid and plentiful tea of jacket potatoes and chilli, the man of the match was voted for. Caleb Fox received the most votes mainly for a calm composed second half which showed he had regained the confidence to try his skills he had in previous seasons. The only nominee for DoD was Kettering Defender Justin Smith whom managed to forget his clean underwear and socks much to the amusement of his team mates.

Thank you Thomas (Maggie) Smith for the match report.