Taking on top of the league today was going to be no easy feat, and just to make it extra challenging the rain also made its appearance just in time for the game! Typical!

With a 14-strong side, Kettering were set to be able to use their extra legs to take the game to Beeston who we knew were going to be young and quick, with an attacking mind set, and we weren't wrong. Beeston showed us why they are currently sitting at the top, moving the ball well across the pitch, however Kettering coped well, especially as a lot of the play was coming down our left. Sophie Richardson was once again on fire, closing the ball down and working hard to make sure that the attacks down their right were slowed, supported well by Emma Findlay whose quick jab tackles again helped to slow the pace of their attack. Daisy Crossman was called into action a few times to again make some important saves and Beth Winfield marshalled the defense well to ensure players coming through were dealt with. It wasn't all a case of defending for Kettering though and we showed that we could could also move the ball up the pitch and put pressure on the opposition. We won a few penalty corners but the routines didn't quite pay off. Sophie Reynolds and Cath Irvin intercepted and broke play down in the middle, then distributing the ball well to our forwards. Harriet Goswell and Charlie James once again demonstrated a positive working relationship on the pitch, using each others strengths to be a force up front. Imogen Smith also stepping it up to keep one of their very skillful and quick players quiet. Right near the end of the first half, Kettering were almost in as Toni Hustwait beat the left back and just had to put a cross in to the waiting Harriet and Charlie, but unfortunately the cross went off the back line instead!! Doh! Finishing the first half at 0-0 however, was a positive and I think took Beeston by surprise!

A formation change was needed as Beeston were starting to push through the middle and take advantage of our 3 at the back, and so an additional defender was required. However, the change to 4-4-2 invited pressure and Beeston piled forward putting more pressure on Kettering to defend. Again this was dealt with well, and whilst the decision to change formation was the right thing to do, it perhaps requires some time in training to work through changes to formation more fluidly. It was then Kettering that took the lead. A penalty corner won by Sophie and Cath was then converted in what was again, a penalty corner that looked well-rehearsed and intentional! A short injection to Cath to the left of the circle took full advantage of her ability to confidently strike the ball towards goal, where the ever-impressive Harriet made a well-timed run to deflect the ball past the goalkeeper - if you haven't seen the video in slo-mo, watch it, its beautiful!

This lead was unfortunately short lived as Beeston won a penalty corner at the other end and the shot found its way from a straight strike through Daisy. And not long after this, another penalty corner resulted in another Beeston goal as the ball was hit at an angle and again evaded the defense. This was so frustrating as neither goals were particularly amazing, but sometimes this is just how the game goes, and perhaps the work that is required is to not give away penalty corners?!

As the half continued, the space on the pitch started to open up, with some fatigue and frustration setting in, shown when Ellie Mulligan's foul resulted in a green card, although poor Sophie Rich took the fall! A Beeston player also received a yellow card for a deliberate use of the back of the stick. We pushed up the pitch to try to find that equalizer but its the final third and final pass that at the moment seems to be letting us down; all the hard work is done everywhere else on the pitch and we just need to start converting our opportunities.