An early start at Bourne brought the best out of Kettering as they produced fifty minutes of the best hockey a Kettering side has produced for years. Bourne were lying fourth in the table but were unable to cope as Kettering’s slick passing and movement off the ball cut them apart. Only some profligate shooting stopped the game being over as a contest at half time. The visitors had a couple of early chances but it took an excellent piece of umpiring to help them open the scoring. A Kettering cross was deflected head high across the D but Andy Sellers was able to deftly deflect it past the startled keeper. The second came when Grant Carlin was able to neatly turn in a scrambled short corner. Kettering got to the break two goals to the good but disappointed it wasn’t more.
The second half started and Dom Cusk was on hand to apply the finish to a great break by Carlin. Carlin then robbed Bourne’s sweeper and rounded the keeper to make it four. Kettering then decided to make in interesting as Mark Hawkins deselect a cross in to his own goal and four minutes later another simple tap in made it 4-2 and Bourne had their tails up. A well executed short corner with two minutes to go made for an unnecessarily nervy finish but by winning a short corner of their own Kettering were able to wrap up another three points.
We have now reached the half way point in the season and having been newly promoted to 3NW Kettering can be delighted with their start as they sit comfortably in second place.
Next week sees them travel to RAF Cranwell to play Leadenham followed by a Sunday Cup tie v Loughborough 3rds.
Bourne's version of events Bourne 3-4 Kettering