Kettering draw with Edge.

Our last friendly, and in similar vane to the rest, it was very hot and our opposition were again tougher! Playing a side who are in the league above was not going to be any easy feat regardless of the conditions, but Kettering held their own and look ready to start their league campaign positively next week.
The dry conditions meant the pitch was extremely bouncy, making first touches and tackles difficult to control. Edgbaston seemed to deal with the bounce better than the home side to start with and Kettering were caught on the break a number of times when the ball bounced over sticks, or travelled mid-air. This week saw a 4-way tie for player of the match and it was no surprise that 3 of those players were in the back line. Michelle Tanser making crucial tackles, Emma Storey showing strength and skill under pressure, and Sophie Richardson for working tirelessly to create the links between defence and midfield.
Kettering did start to find their way into the game with Georgie Jones, our 4th player of the match nominee, showing grit and determination to attack and provide the pace needed down the wing. Charlie James and Liz Metcalfe showed once again what a fine pairing they are up front, providing the target player we missed last season. Sophie Reynolds and Toni Hustwait provided the attacking mentality, with Cath Irvin and Imogen Smith providing the midfield support. Opportunities were created and Kettering were unlucky to not go ahead as a deflection from Hustwait found its way to Megan Forader, but an unfortunate slip meant the contact on the ball was missed. A similar opportunity occurred a few minutes later but this time with Metcalfe providing the deflection and again the ball falling to Forader, but a second slip saw the ball off the back line.
The second half started with both sides taking on much needed hydration. A driving run from Hustwait drew a stick tackle resulting in a green card to their player. The free hit resulted in a long corner where Tanser again drew a foul and was quick-thinking in taking the hit, driving at the player guilty of the foul and who wasn’t retreating. This resulted in a penalty corner, and after a few practice runs our 4th corner soon gave Kettering the lead. An initial strike rebounded to Irvin whose cross travelled across the circle to find newbie Megan Griggs on the far post, deftly touching the ball into the goal.
As the game continued both sides began to fatigue but it seemed that Kettering would see the game out as Richardson and Reynolds both continued to move the ball forwards, but some confusion with subbing led to a brief lapse in concentration, and a driving Edgbaston player ran unchallenged into the circle to find a teammate who slotted the ball neatly past Nik Baker in goal.
The game finished with the draw, giving Kettering the confidence they need that they can compete with higher level teams, ready to take on Stourport next week.