Captain Curtis has a quite positive day out and bags a trick.

Welcoming back Neil Manley to the club added to the 4th team, welcoming back the team from the Christmas break and trying a new formation there was optimism for the first game of the year.

The sun being very low and only going to get lower was going to be a factor throughout the game. After winning the toss Curtis decided to have the sun in our face first half and hope it gets worse for Peterborough in the second half.

The game started very even with both teams going forward. With the sun in Kettering's eyes it was difficult to pick passes forward which led to some difficulties. Peterborough started to take the slight upper hand in the game and while Kettering were slow to react to giving away a free hit they reacted first and got the ball quickly to the Peterborough centre forward who controlled the ball over a stick and then finished with aplomb, it was a delightful well taken goal. Kettering picked themselves up and a long ball was mis controlled by a Peterborough defender allowing Curtis to get round the back drive into the D and pass the ball the front post, Lambert got ahead of his marker and nipped in to finish expertly past the keeper. Much of the rest of the half went on with both teams playing a very open game, end to end. Peterborough the only team to capitalise on the many chances created with the same Peterborough forward supplying another great finish which Mitchell could not have done much to keep out like the first finish. Half time 2-1 to Peterborough.

At half time and without the sun Kettering hoped to be able to move the ball quicker and and sure up our transition and reaction times to giving away free hits.

The half started with Kettering in the ascendancy and with their second attack Lambert drove into the 23 slipped the ball through to Curtis repaying the earlier assist, for Curtis to drag the ball back from in front of the keeper and to his left then slipped the ball in the goal back to 2-2. Minutes later, Brooker received the ball on the edge of the Peterborough D and took on 2 defenders and beat them with just the keeper to beat he stuck a shot and the keeper saved it but only parry it to the waiting Curtis on the back post to nudge the ball home. 3-2 and taken the lead for the first time. From a hit in from the side Young received the ball and played a through ball to Curtis who had lost his marker in D to be one on one with the keeper so Curtis rounded the keeper and after composing himself slotted the ball home into the empty net 4-2. The scoring was rounded off from a slick penalty corner move injected to Freeman to slip to his right to Manley and then Manley put the ball to the far push for a waiting Brooker to sweep home.

The whole team played well and I could mention everyone but we've ran out of room. Special mentions go to the following players.

Tom Rochester, who is really starting to add an attacking treat to his already sizable skill set at right back.

Dwayne Lambert, for a display full of endeavour, great hassling and closing down up front to go with a goal and an assist. Dwayne got voted by his fellow players as the man of the match.

Shaun Curtis, for his hattrick, assist, teas, new formation, setting the team up and winning the toss. Apparently got him several votes for the man of the match but evidently not enough. He's not bitter, honestly.