Ground Out

Kettering 2s visited Cambridge South with a slightly makeshift squad including three making their first appearances of the season. As warm-up started and it was clear our 12 would be up against their 16 it was apparent some hard work from all would be needed.

Kettering were gifted a corner in the first minute when a South transfer in defence saw their centre back at pay it in to his own body. Turning down freebies is never advisable and KHC 2s did not on this occasion as Millsy fired the shot hard in to the corner to give the guests the lead.

The next 20 minutes or first half was a fairly even affair. Both sides enjoyed spells of possession without either creating great opportunities. With around 10 to play Kettering lost the ball in attack and the hosts capitalised with a direct counter which was too slick for the 2s to deal with and led to a well taken goal to level the scores.

1-1 was a pretty fair reflection of the opening half hour. Both sides had enjoyed moments on top without either dominating. One such moment on top in the final moments of the half saw Kettering win another penalty corner and once again they capitalised with a slick routine tapped in by Ben which saw the score 2-1 in the visitors favour at the break.

The second half saw Cambridge enjoy the lions share (a very hungry lion at that) of possession but a monumental shift from all the Kettering side saw chances limited. When South did break through Nate, stepping up to fill the sizeable shoes of the absent veteran Barry held firm in an impressive display between the posts.

With around ten minutes to go, after 2Touch had already taken out an opponent with a completely accidental but none the less painful stick to the face, Ben picked up his obligatory green card for offering one too many opinions to the officials. Kettering worked yet harder though to see out the sin bin without any alarm.

Late on the home side’s pressure led to a barrage of penalty corners but these were ridden out, at times through great defence but also pure luck on one goal line clearance. Eventually Kettering regained possession with a minute to go and ran out time successfully to take a hard earned three points back down the A14 with them.

Kettering were without doubt outdone for possession in the second half but sheer hard work and discipline saw them get the result. A commendable effort on the road against an opposition who started the day level of points with KHC. The aim remains #safebychristmas and two more wins before the break should see that in the bank. As it stands however the 2s are second (a distant second to Cambridge City 3s who have a 100% record) in what is a very congested Div 3NW table after seven games.

Finally a shout out to the strong teas and excellent beer selection at The Queen Edith (South’s new post match venue), it gets high marks from us and we look forward to returning next year assuming we don’t make the fatal error of staying in second!