Good performance but alas no points to show.

It's a long drive to Louth so we were determined to make the journey worthwhile. A couple of our younger players took the opportunity to grab 40 winks on the way up to be sure they were well rested for the game ahead, but there was certainly no time to rest once the umpire's whistle blew to get the game underway.

Kettering were strong from the start, playing on the front foot from the off and were duly rewarded with the opening goal after a sustained period of attacking pressure, George York getting the final touch to give us a well deserved lead. Louth however were to prove that they were dangerous if allowed to get forward. They mounted a swift counter attack, and whilst fouled in the build up they took the free hit instantly to keep moving forward at pace, driving through our defence and finishing it off with their first goal to draw level. Kettering continued to have the majority of the forward play but just couldn't get back ahead. Louth however were to take the lead in the first half when a short corner gave them the chance that they took to make it 2-1. It could in fact have been three to Louth had it not been for a great sprint and perfectly timed tackle by Ben Mayes. Another counter attack saw us overloaded at the back but Ben came across quickly, with strong intent, and he managed to get his stick in just as their attacker had a clear shot on goal with a vital challenge to keep the score down. Going into half time we were not to be disheartened, and even though our defence had been made to work hard at times, with the quality of our build up play and good movement in the D we knew that we had more goals in us so we were looking forward to the second half.

Louth came at us somewhat stronger after the break; they managed to again move forwards quickly and their strikers again knew how to find the net, scoring two goals in quick succession to give them a 4-1 advantage around 10 minutes into the half. There was still a long way to go however, and whilst the gap had opened up we were by no means out of the game - we moved the ball around the back well, our midfield play remained very strong and our forwards were moving well to be sure we gave ourselves the best chance to recover as a team. We were deservedly rewarded when Harry Chambers calmly scored to confirm the comeback was definitely on. A few minutes later it was George York who again put the ball away, and for Yorkie's second he treated all onlookers to a most gentlemanly celebration - a well executed bow for a well executed goal. Both second half Kettering goals were just reward and further fine examples of how our great movement through the pitch really pays off when we keep it simple.

Up to this point of the match we had for the most part enjoyed the majority of good possession and mounted more attacks, despite what the earlier scoreline would have suggested, but for the final 20 minutes it was all Kettering and Louth were now firmly on the back foot. Some high intensity hockey by Kettering was crying out to be rewarded with an equaliser but unfortunately it wasn't to come and so we were to face the long journey home pointless. We were left feeling rather unfortunate to come away empty handed after playing a great game of hockey against very good opposition, however our hosts made more of their chances count when they got them - fair play to them. Our lads however will come back strong again, and we prepare to do so next Saturday at home to Bourne Deeping 4s.

Our Man of The Match was awarded to Hal Robinson (pictured) who not only put in an excellent first half performance in his usual position on the wing, but in the second half played in a new central midfield position and produced an equally impressive performance - top work Hal and well deserved!