Draws a draw

Kettering arrived at Cambridge South with a slightly changed team – Coe Senior was back in goal with Coe Minor defending a rapist in court. Will Hartley was back having finally left his Party Pad in Ohhh-Come (we will miss you Will Middleton xx).

On arrival, the Pitchero app already had the result reported as a 1-1 draw…was this is a sign on things to come?!? Dom Kusk was still wearing his Cambridge Uni training kit – clearly clinging on to his party animal life at CUHC.

Ed told us of his romantic date to a Michelin starred restaurant – we told him that he needed to channel his inner Gary Neville today with his curtains. It was revealed that Lewis has left Kettering Borough Council to enter Professional MasterChef – a far cry from his jacket potato debacle in the clubhouse a few years ago which resulted in the opposition team leaving early in disgust. Having not been seen on the Peterborough score sheet all season, what else could he be up to?!

After an average warm up and some wise word from Grant, KHC started the game in a controlled manner. The very well-lubricated pitch allowed for quick ball speed and a lot of passing around the back from both teams. Kettering were happy with the approach. Cambridge had the first shot on goal comfortably saved by Coe (who surprisingly didn’t log) with the rebound shot going wide after another Cambridge player fell into the shooter – a bizarre thing to do.

Mid way through the first half, Pat received a green card for dissent - an emotional rant from Patrick disagreeing with the umpires. I think even Matt Coe couldn’t get him off that charge.
Cambridge took the lead near the end of the first half with a well worked short corner. Mikey blamed Barry’s instructions for being in the wrong position defending the short. Barry just logged. After the ball hit the backboard. 1-0.

The second half followed much like the first half with both teams comfortable in possession but unable to create real chances. Ross and Mikey snuffing out any D penetrations with skill and aplomb.
Grant, Will and young Barney played very well in the midfield and Kettering dragged themselves back into the game with more territory and possession.

Finally, after another D visit we won a short corner with Barney channelling his inner Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace 2005/06) losing his footing after being bundled over by the defender. Grant called the short corner routine and duly flicked his unstoppable shot into the top corner (oh wait no, it was down the middle). Nonetheless, 1-1.

The game then became more frantic with some end to end play. Kettering thought we could win this match and Cambridge got frustrated it was only 1-1. Adam Mills then decided to make some poor life choices by breaking down play not retreating 5m from a free hit. A blatant green card and he then ran off the pitch without looking at the umpire to receive the card – guilty as charged. He then proceeded to gather his kit and run out of the astro cage citing he had to go to a boxing match in Corby…the Kettering and Cambridge substitutes/managers were in disbelief as he ran off with 10 minutes left to pay. 3am is the start of boxing matches in Corby town centre outside McDonalds, not 3pm!

Mikey Crane conceded a short corner with a gentle tackle in the corner of the pitch which was dealt with. Coe Senior practiced his dark arts with the ball lodged behind a tyre next to the goal, but wait…the ball actually went out of the cage with protests from Cambridge of time wasting. Ironic as they kept picking up the ball after every free hit…

With 2 minutes to go, Kettering were worried the game would end like the Cambridge Uni match the week before conceding a goal in the last minute…and we nearly did that again. A Cambridge South attacker was through on goal, Coe logged (shock) and he saved it with his head. The rebound came in and Ross Mathison saved it on the line from going in. A big sigh of relief.

The ball went down the other end to Patrick wide open in space with the bench being able to see we had a 3 on 1…Patrick didn’t see this and didn’t pass to the open Will Hartly who just had the goalie to beat. He would’ve clearly smashed it in the bottom corner to seal it 2-1 to Kettering with subsequent enormous celebrations and 3 points in the bag. This didn’t happen. But it could have happened and Patrick was reminded on this.

1-1 was the final score. Kettering happy and Cambridge not so. It served a reminder to the team that we can actually play good hockey and compete in this league when we decide to.
Post match, the changing rooms flooded, Pat dished out more abuse and we enjoyed our pizzas.

MoM – Barney for his Andy Johnson impression and controlling the midfield.

DoD – Adam Mills. Shock.

Next week we travel to the Dragons Den with Tatty wanting £500,000 for 1% equity in his up-and-coming IT Support company. The rest of us want 3 points. Good luck to Lewis with his pan-fried sea bass, split dill sauce, foraged mushrooms and side of Kettering carrots.