Oh when the Saints stick seven in...

Even though many of us have barely stopped playing since the end of last season - Exiles, Skymoons, pre-pre-season training, pre-season training, etc... - this was the first 'true' game back after the break and provided a tough test for the Men's First XI. Despite the score, the KM1s put on a respectable show and didn't play badly - their opponents just did the basic things exceptionally well.
The game began after an inspiring team talk from captain Grant Carlin; Kettering were immediately on the backfoot. Saints were fast, skillful and clinical - as Kettering found out soon enough: a scuffle in the 'D' led to the ball being smashed in. 1 - 0. Kettering weren't disheartened and kept plowing forward. Anthony Paton had a shot saved and Kettering continued to prowl, but nothing came of it. Moreover, Saints counter-attacked fluidly, scoring an extra two. It could have been more, but Ross Mathieson took a yellow card for a crunching tackle as the last man. Jacques Lourens somehow avoided punishment for a rugby-esque tackle, and Tom Storey bore the brunt of the Saints' retribution: taking a ball to the head and being clattered by a wiry midfielder. The half ended 3 - 0.
Kettering conceded almost immediately after the second half began, pushing too high up the pitch whilst neglecting their own half - 4 - 0. The game continued, with Kettering defending stoically, occasionally venturing forward, but a poor touch let any prospective goal slip away all too often. Saints were effective from their short-corners, too, with 3 more goals coming from well-worked routines. Carlin did manage to score a consolation goal for the away team: a drag-flick from a short corner, shockingly. No comeback was ignited though, as the game ended soon after. 7 - 1.
Kettering couldn't be truly disheartened. Saints were a far better opponent, equivalently two leagues higher than humble Kettering. But the away team put in a wily effort - one that would probably ( or hopefully) overcome any team in their own league, yet only the season will show...

MoM: Matthew Coe

DoD: Lewis Pywell (for a list of reasons, see James Hogg)

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