Frantic, hectic, feverish, chaotic
First off, another 4s debutant this week, and we welcomed Seb to the fold (sorry could have chosen an easier match for your debut). First game after an extended break due to Christmas and the weather, was always going to be tough. Added to that we were playing an opposition at their who is one of the strongest in the league, we knew it was going to be a tough game.
I asked for plenty of energy from the start. I meant energy and control what we got was a caffeine infused Energizer bunny sort of game. Can’t complain about the effort but it was one of those games loose passes, great tackles, bad tackles, a few great saves, good runs, dribbling straight into players, dribbling pass player, picking the passes, end to end. Very very frantic. A PC on 15min saw Doug score again from the top of the D. Would this settle the nerves…….nope the rest of the half was equally manic. A couple of great saves by both keepers keeping it 1:0 at the break.
A half time settling down talk had no effect and the restart was again hectic from both sides. The tide turned in Nomads favour and the Kettering goal became under siege for the next 20 mins. Some stout defending by the back three (Justin, Seb, Tom S and Martin) kept Nomads out but they kept coming. Eventually the dam bust and Nomads equalized.
The last 5 was a equally frantic as the rest of the game with either side having chances to win it.
Final whistle blew and everyone could take a breath. 1:1 a fair but hard fought point. (costly too as two players picked up injuries rib and wrist)
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Captain’s thoughts – Loving the fact that despite the 3:30 pushback away, all 15 player, (and 4 parents) stayed back to teas.
Player of the Match – Seb – making his 4s debut, in a back 3 against one of the strongest teams in the league is no easy task, yet Seb fitted in so well, read the game well and made some great tackles.
D0D – Tom S (using my Captains vindicative override!) having played in the 5s friendly earlier to make up the numbers, and playing on the opposite team to your captain. Tom , you should know by now not to constantly tackle, embarrass and win against your captain! (However, did redeem himself as he continued his fine form into the 4s game only just missing out on MOM)
Champagne moment – Ben S – after another mazey run, but into 2 man cul-de-sac, nicely rolled out to protect the ball then to everyone’s surprise calmly just passed it to their player 6 feet away, forgetting which colour shirt he was playing in. The game seemed to pause for a second in disbelief, before the opposition player realised he had the ball. Sometimes the Champagne moment just puts a smile on your face for all the wrong reason but it was funny!
Captain’s mention – It’s never nice to concede a late goal, which costs you winning the game, and heads inevitably drop at the full time whistle. But actually it was a good (and fair) result from a really competitive game against a strong team. Dare I mention we are still unbeaten, and with results going our way this weekend top of the table.