Mens 4 vs Kettering 3

This week St. Ives played Kettering, desiring points to keep heading out of the bottom of the table. The game was on!

We started strong, playing the ball around, lots of nice passes, use of the pitch and even a few chances on goal but nothing crept through. An evenly matched first half ended 0-0.

Half time deserves a mention this week as Tristan tried in vain to ‘educate’ both umpires on some of the rules for most of the duration… apparently they weren’t having any of it!

The second half started and after a dodgy (read terrible!) push back from Jack, the chaos began. Kettering took an early shot on goal, saved superbly by Alex, but then finding himself on the floor the rebound came and our ‘fortress at the back’ Michael, raised his stick, calm as you like and the ball sailed over the net. Unfortunately, Michael’s good fortune did not continue, actually playing to the whistle, (his words, not mine!) he found himself on the receiving end of a green card. At some point here, Kettering took a beautiful early hit on a ball which ended up straight through Alex’s feet and into the net. It would be fair to say the umpires ‘missed’ quite a bit during the game and with frustration building, Mat got both himself and the opposition a yellow card. More yellow cards came from the hesitant and unpredictable umpire’s sending off Kettering players due to some spicy defending.

Despite being down to 9 players at one point, St Ives weren’t able to take any advantage and Kettering managed to sneak another past Alex despite his superb efforts. 

Overall both sides were fairly even but in the end Kettering's pure determination/aggression (and umpiring) put them on top.