Kettering welcomed back Samuel Tattersall for the home game against Pelicans and were rewarded as Kettering’s forwards totally dominated the game leading to Kettering winning comfortably.

What was billed as an upper mid table clash was really nothing like that as Kettering bossed the game from start to finish. From the off Pelicans struggled to escape from their half as relentless running meant their defenders had no options going forward. Time and time the ball was turned over cheaply and only lacklustre finishing meant their defenders had game wasn’t out of sight by half time. Ethan missed when it looked easier to score and a volley from Ollie went narrowly over. A Pelican player ran into Mark’s stick and went down like he’d been shot. Chances came and went but it was left to birthday boy Jamie to fire home a short corner. One nil at the break and slightly under the weather home keeper Barry had barely touched the ball.
Goals were certain to come in the second half and the game was effectively ended as a contest when Jamie scored again. Brookesy, having just returned from a two minute break scored from another short to make it 3. As the game became scrappy and Pelicans became more frustrated Jared took a green along with two of them. Mark scored after Kettering’s forwards were virtually lining up to have a go at scoring and he was the one who finished it off. Tight Man Dean saw green for a tackle outside the D. The game ended with a proper kerfuffle - Ben getting probably unnecessarily involved. A game with plenty of gull mouth action (sorry) and a bit more composure could have seen Kettering rack up 7 or 8. Kettering wondered whether they could have had a couple of strokes as the visiting keeper was getting man and ball but hey ho, a 4-0 win and with four draws in the league Kettering move up to third and ready for the big push after Christmas but need to get next week out of the way first.

A game that had potential for much bird punning but as I’m still recovering it was too much to ask.

Next week sees the big intra club clash between twos and threes. A big crowd is expected so get to Bishop for a 4 pm cracker under the lights followed by the much anticipated Christmas dinner provided by the 3s and Cheese evening to follow.