M6 vs Kettering 5s – 21^st Feb 2026

The last time Ian Glover, Rob Barton & Bhav Virdi played together; Ron Oren was the M2s captain, Britain was in the EU, Obama was in his 1^st term of US presidency, the Queen was in her prime and 4 players in the team weren’t even born!

We travelled on A14, the drive was lovely and landed on a sandy pitch. Three of our regular juniors were away and one junior had to pull out so we were left with a smaller development squad. Plus, we had Rob, Sandy & Nev from the M5s playing their 2^nd match of the day, fitness was the key here.

Match started at 4 o’clock & on time to our surprise, given that this was one of the last matches of the day and there were no delays.

1^st half started well. Defensively we were doing okay with Ian and Bhav able to clear out the balls to the wide flanks. We piled on the pressure with Sandy & Andy combing well on the left. We earned a PC in the 10^th minute of 1^st half, Rob’s hit went to the keeper and Andy then rebounded it into the net. 1-0!

Nev, Wilco, John and Dex – controlled the midfield well. Junior 1 played well in defence and Junior 2 played lovely passing on the right line. In one occasion our Junior 1 went past 3 players and passed the ball to junior 2 on the right flank, to everyone cheers.

In the last 5 minutes of the 1^st half Kettering junior was able to loop the ball over Bhav & the keeper (Junior 3) and as the ball was landing in the goal, it also took Ian along with him. 1-1

Game was very close & competitive in the 1^st half. However, the 2^nd half was very well organised, Wilco able to man mark their #17 and stick to him.

Our passing got better, the communication was decent, fewer balls went to the opponents sticks and we were able to materialise on fast runs from Dexter. His passing was perfect for a tap-in from Rob Barton. 2-1!

Another Dexter, Nev, Rob and Wilco combination resulted in a Dexter goal. 3-1!!

A pass from Bhav from the 16 to Rob, Rob into the D and tried to score but the body of Kettering player was in the way. This resulted in No-Goal-But-A-Flick scenario. John stepped up and flicked the ball into the goal. 4-1!! Woop Woop!

The last 10 minutes of Kettering pressure was easily tackled & kicked out by our keeper (junior 3) resulting in a clean-sheet 2^nd half.

Final whistle and then handshakes. Ended a successful away win.

PoM – Bhav  for having a decent match & good voice at the back

LoM – Rob Barton for no special reason but playing 2 matches, umpiring one and traveling 100 miles on a Saturday! Man likes to get his monies worth.