Last week we had Yorkie forcing a school evacuation and a similar theme followed this week’s game.

I would imagine it is very exciting to play football in places like Galatasaray or Ajax where the home supporters set off so many pyrotechnics the game sometimes gets halted. This week, during the graveyard shift game Highfield Road did its best to turn Bishop into an iconic venue with plumes of smoke billowing across the pitch. More burning tyres garden waste than expensive fireworks but did create a bit of probably unwanted atmosphere. Kettering however lived up to the occasion and produced a thoroughly professional performance to see of CoP5.

Fourteen players this week and the return of Ollie Smith meant Kettering could keep the intensity high throughout. Buoyed by the first team’s thumping of Camb Uni Kettering set about the visitors. An early short corner settled the nerves as Adam Mills kept up his recent scoring feat. This early goal saw Kettering take their foot off the gas and allow the visitors a foothold in the game. Kettering’s defence was well up to any approach play from CoP and finished the first half strongly with Tatty scoring his first of the afternoon. Half time, 2-0 and the hosts were well in control.

Mills B saw a green early in the second half for annoying the usually unannoyable umpire Dom but Kettering made light work of the reduction in players, keeping the ball and running the time out. Kettering eventually extended their lead when an aerial from the now returned Mills B saw Tatty coolly round the keeper, compose himself, and slot the ball home. Hawkins S saw his first green card but again Kettering coped comfortably short handed. Cop had a few chances but some robust defence by Smith T put a stop to that with his somewhat rugby style tackling.

Kettering saw out the remaining few minutes with no real concerns. A regulation three points moving them into the crowded upper mid table behind run away leaders Camb City 3. A week off to re group and a game against Camb South to follow. Six games, ten points and looking to be #safebyChristmas seems on the cards. In fact, in a very open league a run of decent results could easily see the 2s pushing for the top stops.