Kettering 1st X1 7 Adders Mens 1st X1 1

(D.Osborne)

A youthful Adders side travelled to, promotion seeking, Kettering with a youthful looking, inexperienced side knowing that they needed to perform well and to keep positive for 70 minutes.

They managed to remain in the game for most of the match, but the stronger, more determined Kettering side eventually ran out comfortable winners. 

James Meer's game plan was to soak up the inevitable Kettering pressure and to use the speed of Danny Osborne on the counter attack and as the game wore on his plan seemed to be working. Kettering moved the ball accurately and with pace, but the Adders defence of Ian Bennett and Richard Stubbs held firm. Dave Winchester in the Adders goal looked comfortable as was rarely called on to make any difficult saves.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Hall and Danny Osborne led the Adders counter attacks well and looked to have the beating of the nervous Kettering defenders.

However it was the home side that took the lead after 20 minutes when a short corner was scrambled in by the Kettering forward who was lying on the floor at the time.

As the second half started the Adders felt that they were still in the match and it was no surprise to the visitors when they equalised straight after the restart. Jonathan Hall found Danny Osborne at the top of the D and as the keeper came out, Osborne rolled the ball calmly into the net.

Kettering were becoming more and more frustrated at the Adders tactics and started to lose their cool, which led to several players being warned by the excellent umpires. However, Kettering then took the lead from another short corner and began to assert themselves on the game. Two more short corner goals quickly followed and the Adders started to lose their shape as they ran out of steam.

The visitors will feel that the final scoreline flattered the home side, who on balance were worthy of their three points, but there is hope for the future as the younger Atherstone players showed signs of what is to come for the Adders.