Kettering travelled in the rain to play Bourne Deeping. The drizzly weather reflecting the play. The team gained a new addition of Ilana’s borrowed baby which was passed around and joined in the team dance warm up.We started frantically with 5 mins to warm up on pitch and the dark clouds threatening. Again the team talk similar to last week was ensuring we kept our structure. However, this didn’t go to plan with a fragmented start to the game with Kettering looking scrappy. Bourne Deeping punished us with a couple of attacks which were well defended by Gracie, Michelle, Eleanor and Isla with Amy making good saves. Bourne Deeping were able to capitalise on Kettering’s slow play to score off a short corner. Kettering managed to survive the rest of the half without conceding with some promising attacks from Ellie,Lucy and Rose assisted by Georgia and Ilana. Heading into the break Kettering knew that something would have to change to claw back a win. As the whistle blew for the second half we knew the way to win was to maintain our shape. Kettering managed to score 2 goals is quick concession, the first was from open play with Rose and Cath working together to put a cross into Ellie in space who slotted it past the keeper to level the scoreboard. Kettering continued to dominate possession with Eva and Connie driving up the left and as a result of the efforts won a few shorts which we couldn't convert. Fourtunatly we were able to score a second goal from open play as Cath reversed stick cross lended up in the goal. Unfortunately Kettering weren’t able to carry the moment after 20mins of the second half as the game became disjointed and Bourne Deeping were able to create opportunities which as a team Kettering were able to deny another goal. In the closing minutes Kettering had one last attack which sadly didn’t result in a goal. Fortunately the whistle came and Kettering remain unbeaten. The score finished 2-1 to Kettering. Man of the match went to Connie for her strong defending and carrying the ball through multiple players to create opportunities. No one came away feeling they had played their best as we had dropped to a low level of play with lack of intensity or coherence, but another win for the Ladies 1st but improvements required if we are to remain unbeaten.
Written by Isla