Mens 3 Vs Kettering 2

Todays match was the culmination of a tough run of fixtures. Kettering 2nds, who we played twice last year (drew 1, lost 1) and who had started the season like a rocket (28 goals scored in 5 games) arrived at Longsands expecting a tough game too - speaking to their Captain after the game, it appears we have a reputation as a well organised team who don't concede many.

We managed to weather the early pressure from a good Kettering team who had managed to get into some advanced positions and won a couple of shorts. We were well drilled at the back and in midfield which were nullifying to an extent the Kettering threat. Dare I say, but we are starting to feel like a team comfortable under pressure and comfortable defending and some of the passing around the back and into midfield was the best we have done in this season so far. The shorts were well defended too with the pace of Chris B and Paul and the solid defence of Gary and Steve preventing any particular shots at goal from the shorts.

On 10 minutes, Mark picked up the ball in midfield and drove at Kettering, riding a couple of challenges and then seizing on hesitation in the Kettering defence, squared the ball to Danny, who managed to slot home. Kettering felt hard done by to be behind, having had most of the possession, but we hadn't played particularly badly without the ball either and were just being more clinical.

The game then evened a little, Kettering still exerting most of the pressure, but with Saints posing a threat and without too many other clear cut chances being created by either team. On 27 mins, another organised break from Saints midfield down the left with Adam and Nathan ended up with Danny scoring from an almost impossible angle (Paul Ray with the assist).

From their comments on the pitch, Kettering couldn't quite believe they were 2-0 down and they then continued to pose questions of our defence and midfield, culminating in them pulling a goal back on 30 mins. The ball was hit from outside the D, but gained a deflection off Chris B's stick and went into Simons top left corner of the goal. There were complaints from Saints about the goal, although it could be that some of us are not that clear on the rules for those kind of situations (I'm still not!).

Half time came, everyone contributed to the team talk, we caught our breath from a hard 1st half and we then went again.

The great thing was that we came out in the 2nd half with purpose and within 2 minutes Adam had won a short. Steve's injection to Slatch and his hit into the bottom corner. 3-1

Kettering continued to battle away, a number of shorts came and went, almost all snuffed out through great defending or accomplished goalkeeping and they also had a couple of cross shots going some way wide. We were starting to tire however, with Slatch picking up a niggle on his calf towards the end of the 1st half and now Nathan feeling his ankle - and we had no subs.

16 minutes through the 2nd half however, Mark broke up a Kettering attack on the edge of his own D, drove forward with purpose upto the half way line, released Danny who cut into the D, passing it to Willem (he ran his heart out all day), who's shot took a deflection off their keeper, then spinning crazily and eventually trickling over the goal line. 4-1.

Did the game feel like it was over? Maybe. I don't think we particularly backed off, but we were starting to struggle with then Gary going down with an injury too. We conceded a couple more shorts, Simon making a couple of excellent saves and then Kettering scoring on 24 mins of the 2nd half, finally converting one of their shorts.

We remained composed and we were moving the ball around well still at the back and in midfield but it was getting tougher with 3 of our team struggling with mobility. 4-2 with 10 mins to go? It would be ok yes?

Kettering sensed they could get back into the game and on 68 mins they managed to make it 4-3. I don't feel like we actually deserved to concede 3 goals, we weren't playing badly at the back even at this late stage, but Ketterings collective fitness and generally more youthful vigour was starting to show through. We did however manage to keep our composure and retain the ball for the final 2 minutes. We had got over the line against a good team.

Congrats to all the team for such a hardworking, efficient and clinical performance. Congrats also to Kettering who didn't give up and ran us hard all day. We certainly all felt we'd been in a tough and enjoyable game.

MoM: Mark

DoD: Adam, for watching the Man Utd match and turning up late