Mens 3 Vs Kettering 2

An enjoyable match played in good spirit by both teams and where St Neots were the better team for the 1st 20 minutes of the 1st half and the first 10 mins in the 2nd. In the end, the superior fitness of the Kettering team combined with a younger average age and the availability of subs meant Kettering won out, but not without giving the league leaders a scare. Kettering were humble in victory and made it very clear - if we'd had subs, we probably would have got something from the game.

St Neots were composed on the ball in the 1st 20, were well organised and moved it around well too, posing real attacking intent by getting into Ketterings D on numerous occasions. This lead to 3 short corners in this period, 2 of which were converted well, first by Nathan and then by Slatch. We then let Kettering back into the game with a goal near the half hour mark which could and should have been avoided. We dallied on the ball in midfield, did not put enough pace on our passing and then a mix up in defence allowed Kettering to score. 

Still, we went in at half time in front and in good spirits, for not only enjoying our hockey, but playing well. 

The 2nd half started off as it did in the first, plenty of ball and attacking intent, but we were not able to take advantage of opportunities or upgrade where we should have. 10 mins into the 2nd half, Kettering equalised with a well worked goal, but it was again as a result of us not putting pace onto the ball and losing it further up the pitch.

We stayed in the match until the last 15 minutes, where Kettering proceeded to score 4 goals against tiring legs and additionally with 2 players succumbing to leg injuries. A disappointing end to a good game against the league leaders and where we showed clearly that we are not far away at all from being a good team in this league - we are just missing a player with a real strikers mindset and we are also short of subs for games this. We also had 4 outfield players plus Simon doubling up for the 5ths game earlier and with hindsight, this also had an effect on fitness towards the latter stage of the game.