The pre-match routine started with the awaited return of the stretch master, Stu. After another reference to last week’s match in the captain’s sermon the game started, with pressure building up from slick play all over the pitch. The first goal came soon after with fast wing play from Stu forcing a quick ball across the exposed face of goal for Oli to happily tap home. The second came soon after with an unfettered run from Oli, allowing him to shoot from the top of the D which bobbled over the keeper’s foot. Two-nil.

Pressure was added with brilliant, quick passing and movement from the midfield and backline. Keishi and James looking especially potent when in possession. The third came shortly afterwards as JJ fell down on to his stomach to slap a pass into the path of Nev, who wittingly beat the keeper and hit home at an acute angle. With more dominance from the South midfield another goal looked like it was brewing but a breakaway from Kettering led to them pulling a goal back. Three-one it stood at half time.

The second half started with renewed attacks from the Kettering side but none of which could break down the steadfast defence, with Dave and Jan providing attack-disintegrating tackles, until Jan decided to sub off just as a Kettering counter-attack was being deployed, leaving their centre-forward free. This event left Jan, Oli and Dave, who subbed on ‘without’ his mouthguard (which he later found in his pocket), in a tie for Lemon of the match, to be decided on the last vote leaving Oli to claim the dubious honour.

The fourth goal came via a wonderful cross from Jamie across the face of goal for Rob to dive on to, some say, but most people agreed he fell into the path of the ball to deflect in. This re-awakened the 4s’ vigour and more excellent hockey followed with link up play everywhere on the pitch with James and Danny making brilliant runs up from the back. A series of slick passes led Nev to thunderstrike the ball into the top corner of the net for South’s fifth.

This excellent game of hockey ended five-one, with the man of the match being easily awardable to any player on the pitch. Next week we make the not-so-long trip to Cambridge City with hopes to continue this blazing run of quality hockey.