Our last away win was in March 2018 (thanks Emma Findlay for the fact check), and so what a joy it was to finally break this pattern! Gaining a deserved 3 points finally, and being able to celebrate winning should be enough to make us all happy, however, I think I speak for everyone when I say that it wasn't the most enjoyable game! In fact, it was a frustrating battle of a game, but thankfully we came out on top!

It was wet, there was a lack of a proper warm up due to the queue for the one toilet. Kettering started the game a bit lethargically and were taken by surprise in the first few minutes as Derby moved the ball quickly up the pitch to test Daisy in goal early. However, to get the ball here their centre forward had tried to do what would have a been a great skill and chip the ball over Emma's stick, but the ball actually passed by her head but was allowed to play on. Thankfully Daisy came to the rescue, but this seemed to be the pattern of the day. A clearly practiced skill that was intentionally done this way knowing that it would be play on.

During the first half both teams had chances and both sides were kept in the game by their keepers. Harriet Goswell was unfortunate to not find the back of the net with her 1 on 1 with the keeper who closed her down quickly. Sophie Reynolds came close on the far post as a cross from Cath Irvin was just centimetres from her reach. Sophie Richardson also came close from the far post, just missing the ball as it whisked past. At the other end, Stacy Hall made some crucial tackles to just nick the ball way from the oncoming attacker, and Daisy Crossman pulled off some fantastic saves yet again. As we drew into the latter part of the first half, Kettering were starting to pile the pressure forward but got caught a number of times by a quick break where the ball was lost through our own errors rather than them dispossessing us. Possession of the ball and passing the ball effectively was difficult due to the number of sticks flying in to tackles and some strong physicality from the opposition, and its safe to say that Kettering didn't quite find their flow due to this for the entire game. In the last few minutes of the first half a penalty corner was given against Kettering as Cath intercepted the ball from the attacker, but the attacker followed through with their stick, and despite Cath's stick never moving, it was deemed a stick tackle by her! Fortunately the corner was unsuccessful and we got to half time with a 0-0 score line.

Being a bit more aware of Derby’s style of play Kettering felt more prepared as the second half started. Recognising that they were probably being a bit apprehensive when going into tackles due to likeliness of being fouled and then losing possession Kettering resigned themselves to the fact that this was just how this game was going to be and attempted to up the tempo to take the game to Derby. In places there was some lovely patterns of play which again bought a number of opportunities, but it wasn't until the 60th minute that the much needed goal finally came. Charlie James found herself in front of the keeper who had initially saved a shot from Sophie, but was on the ground trying to clear the ball from her pads. Charlie showed great composure to pull the ball back from the keeper and deftly lift the ball over her straight into the net.

The lead was very nearly lost within minutes though as Kettering gave away a penalty corner at the other end. The first strike was saved by Daisy, and then a bit of a scramble was on. It looked like Derby were going to equalize with a shot on target, but captain Beth Winfield was there to stop the ball literally on the line, and then calmly dribbled the ball out to ensure Kettering maintained their lead. In the last few minutes the defence were called into action and it was a case of everyone getting behind the ball and holding on. A through ball almost made it to the lingering centre forward but was just out of reach. Although it was Kettering who nearly doubled their lead in the last minute as Cath was unmarked in the centre of the pitch and held the ball up well before threading it though to Harriet and Toni who were both running in. Harriet collected the ball first and attempted to lift the ball into the goal, but again the keeper was out quickly, although the hinderance was probably more from a swinging tackle from behind rather than the goalkeeper’s agility. A call for a penalty flick was denied, but a penalty corner was awarded, and the shot was pulled wide.

As soon as the final whistle went, it was difficult to hide our elation over this win as it was a battle. It didn't feel like a particularly enjoyable game, but sometimes those wins are even more satisfying. With this win we now find ourselves in the top half of the table and hopefully, as Harriet said at the end, we have broken the deadlock/curse and can go on to further wins to keep moving up the table.