Generals Blue 1 v Thrapston 3
Old friends became adversaries for an hour or so today as
Kettering Generals Blue battled it out with Thrapston in a
much-anticipated clash of two well matched teams whose priority
is to play football.
From the start both teams set a high tempo, which incredibly
was maintained throughout the match. Thrapston powered themselves
into an early command of the game with sustained bouts of
pressure, but were continually denied by inspired goalkeeping
and less than decisive finishing. It was Ryan Caller who finally
broke the deadlock with a trademark flashing finish –
individually and as a team well deserved. The euphoria was
still surging through the veins when the Generals struck back.
Lazy defending on the stroke of half time allowed the Generals
a lofted shot that dipped under the bar and rained on our
parade, but this proved to be a passing shower rather than
a storm.
Half times have become so much more civilised of late with
all toys being kept in the proverbial pram. “Go get’em
cowboys”, “more of the same”… and
so they did. The team rolled forwards, gathering momentum
and gathering confidence, but there was always that horrible
nagging thought in the back of your head – we totally
deserve to win this game but you could see the opposition
nicking a goal and stealing a result. Not until Alexander
Palmer strode to the plate and walloped an unstoppable shot
into the bottom corner - yours truly was more animated than
Stuart Pearce in a derby win – and Alexander afforded
us his carioca goal dance.
10 minutes to go all to play for. Yes we had scary moments
as the Generals fought back but we still had the majority
of the play. William Morrison finally put the result beyond
doubt with a sublime 30-yard volley that sailed and dipped
just under the bar to send dad and the away supporters into
delight – high fives all round Neville!!
And so we won a wonderfully entertaining game of youth football.
Both teams played competitive football often with skills that
belied their years. Thrapston held the trump cards with the
forward pairing of Caller and Palmer who are forging a formidable
partnership that will terrorise any team in this league. The
midfield are becoming a much more cohesive unit cemented through
the middle by Morrison and Barlow and the defense, although
not at its peak today, coped with much that the Generals through
at them admirably, with “Big” Harry Doubleday
producing his most accomplished performance to date.
Plaudits from the opposition and neutrals alike who watched
this match says more than I can. “Veni vidi vici”
look it up, it is the truth and perfectly applicable to today’s
performance. The standard was set at Rushden Rangers and has
been enhanced…bring on the Tigers!!!!
Supporters Player of the Match: Alexander Palmer
Mathew Hansord, Harry Doubleday, Liam Carter, Cameron Glynn,
Grahame Wright, Ross Munro, William Morrison, Alex Barlow,
Ryan Wright, Ryan Caller, Alexander Palmer, Tyrone Love, (David
Morton & John Davies not used).
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