It just wasn't meant to be for Kettering Ladies XI today, and probably a game worth just accepting happened, and moving on... quickly!
Right from the off, the side were a key player down as Sophie Reynolds couldn't play, and then as game time got closer and we really needed to start thinking about a warm up, half our team hadn't arrived yet due to a traffic incident en route. This meant a last minute change in formation, and the need for some of our second team players to start the game, having just played a full game themselves! Thank you to Stacy, Evie, Jodie, Gracie and Natalie for stepping in to help us out.
With all the confusion, a decent warm up hadn't been completed and then it was time to start. Towcester fired out of the blocks, knowing that we were a bit out of sorts, and scored within minutes. A second goal swiftly followed as the side were still trying to adjust to positions and the bounce of the pitch.
Fortunately new legs arrived finally and the heroic second team players could take their well-deserved rest. Sophie Richardson and Imogen Smith were the first to arrive and instantly made an impact with some strong tackles and positive play down the right. Beth Winfield and Emma Findlay arrived for defensive duties, and Charlie James and Harriet Goswell for attacking duties, meaning we were now up to full strength. Towcester didn't then score again in the first half as the lions-share of play fell more in favour to Kettering. The ball was now making it to Harriet and Charlie up front and the keeper was starting to be challenged. Unfortunately these opportunities again couldn't find the back of the net, but at half time the side felt positive that they could recover from the 2 goal deficit.
Towcester however, had different ideas and again upped the tempo and made positive use of the bounce on the pitch, using the long ball from back to front with a high level of success. This became frustrating for Kettering and this along with the increasing heat in the pitch, started to open the game up. Kettering still had their chances however; Cath Irvine narrowly slipping the ball past the far post after a good passage of play. Georgie Jones and Sophie Richardson both had shots which were saved by the experienced keeper, and Charlie managed to lift the ball at goal only to find the crossbar. It seemed to be another one of those games that we were just not going to score a goal. Towcester then scored 2 more in quick succession as another bouncing ball found its way through the Kettering defensive ring, and the shots bounced their way into the goal from either post. Imogen managed to save one shot on the goal line, but then a harsh flick was given against Toni Hustwait who was deemed to have elbowed a player who ran across her into the circle, a flick that was then scored. No one can remember the next goal, but the final goal came as our super keeper Daisy Crossman succumbed to the heat and needed to rest. With 3 minutes left to play of the friendly the call to just end the game was ignored, and an 11th player had to enter the pitch. A short corner was awarded and with no goalkeeper the defence were under pressure, and unfortunately the ball found its way straight down the centre of the goal.
Whilst the score line doesn't reflect a good performance, all things considered, there are positives to take from the game, as well as areas to improve. For long periods of the game, the match was even and if nothing else this should be held onto. We are still looking for that elusive first goal for this season, and hopefully once it comes the flood gates will open!