Crafty Kettering tactics of spying on the Cambridge South warm-up routine were sufficient for them to suss out what was to come and gain a draw. The home team were quite keen on directions, some of which worked…

Pass the ball to Oli… A success this one, as the home team's goal came from a neat Simon Jelley pass to Oli, who then dribbled dazzlingly upfield and scored confidently.

Mark the number 17… Another wise one. He was the Kettering playmaker after all. Thanks, JJ and Sev.

Kindly desist from complaining and chuntering on, sir… Less effective, and led to the Rock receiving a talking to from Mr Umpire Clapp, alongside said chunterer. Interesting to see the Rock getting heated and turning to lava though.

Go over to the rugby club for teas as usual, men… Just inaccurate, as teas were at the Queen Edith. Earned Rob B LoM, somewhat harshly. "Injustice!" he cried, doubting the benefits of the democratic voting system on this occasion.

Apart from this there was a lot of diving; JJ's efforts meriting a green card as his best dive was straight into an opponent's body. Goalkeeper George's dives were rather more useful, especially the flying tip over the bar from a flicked short. Dave Monck's dives were more like graceful slides as he kept trying to lie down as if he was really ill (OK, we seriously appreciate you turning out straight from your sick bed, Mr M).

There was some head butting, resulting in Mr South being temporarily deprived of his boyish good looks as he managed to hit the ball on to his own head. An impressive bump appeared. He came back on later too. This is the stuff the M4s are made of.

In between times we had a hockey game. The defence, led by the awesome MoM Andy Williamson, snuffed out all attacks…well apart from the one that gave Kettering their equaliser, when a quickly taken free hit found its way to unmarked players in our D, from which the lively returning Ed Bligh was unlucky not to make a goal line save.

The midfield, apart from some temporary confusion when the formation was changed midway through the second half to bolster their numbers, were effective against some wily opponents, epitomised by endless running, passing, tackling and tracking back from Simon Jelley and Doc Marshman. We really have got the hang of the Barton 1-3-3-3 formation.

There were other chances for the forwards, but the usual combo of Greaves crosses, Barton wriggles, and Oli A feints and trickery couldnt conjure up a winner.

Still seven points ahead with three games remaining. Two more wins should do it. Next up…Ely 2nds.