BDHC 2s @ Kettering 2s

A game of 2 halves!

Sporting their gaudy change strip the recently relegated Bourne Deeping 2s travelled to Kettering to face the team they shared promotion with last season.
Kettering had had the better of all 3 previous encounters, the home game at Glinton being a bit of a mauling for the Dragons. Yet another bare 11, yet another early goal conceded, but if Kettering expected the floodgates to open, they were dead wrong.
George Collins summed up the Dragons’ intent, doing what he does best, winning the ball high up the pitch with yet another rangy tackle from the gangly forward, striving through on goal only to unluckily drag his strike just inches wide of the far post.
Edwyn Sarsby in the Bourne Deeping goal was back on form and though his 2 centre backs contrived to give the ball away in dangerous areas just to keep him on his toes, he came up with the saves when needed to take the away side into half time just 1-0 down against a team sitting 6th in the league table.
With club coach Simon Shorter travelling with the team, the Dragons started the second half buoyed up and looking to show what they were capable of. Full backs Oscar Morley and Andy Briault were finding more and more space to press forward down the flanks and Scott Downie and Iain Robb in the middle were starting to get a grip of the midfield battle. Unfortunately for the Dragons, another poor ball out from the back was easily intercepted by the Kettering forwards who took full advantage to double their team’s lead.
In previous weeks the Dragons may have capitulated, but under Shorter’s watchful eye they put on a display of resilience and hard work which seemed to take the home side by surprise. Andy Briault continued his track record of scoring goal of the season contenders with another deflection from a penalty corner and from then on it was all Dragons. A resurgent Ben Brittain was an absolute torment for the Kettering defenders down the right flank and with Mike Gregson causing similar problems on the left Kettering were struggling to clear their lines. Downie in the middle was dictating play while Robb, Collins and Meadows were cutting through the Kettering midfield and causing panic in a previously unflustered Kettering back line.
It was too late for Bourne Deeping who will take heart from seeing their opposition so relieved to hear the final whistle. Relegation may be confirmed, but this team continue to show they can play at this level but have struggled to maintain that level for a full 70 minutes.
MOTM -Edwyn Sarsby -A timely return to form.