LSHC Mens' Second v Kettering 3rds

Played Away on 29th January 2022
Next Match
12th Feb 2022 Mens' 1st - Away vs City Of Peterborough 3rds

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Daniel Batten profile

Position:
Outfielder
Appearances:
11
Goals:
12

In a week where numbers available in the Men's Section were something akin to Monty Python's Black Knight, Sutton made the journey to Kettering with a makeshift squad of 12. With a 4pm pushback against the well organised home side, the squad needed to have had their Weetabix if they were going to return to Sutton with the points. Missing Hagan for work and Watt through injury, Gary Hales and Olly Taylor stepped up to give the team a squad and both brought excellent positivity to the side. The team started well with Batten and Will White offering their usual guile and invention, making the most of the ball created by Fox, Ed White and Ben Hales. Hales senior, Olly Taylor and Canham led the line well, linking midfield and creating chances from the off. Whilst these chances were not finished early on, they did apply pressure and resulted in advanced ball for the away team as well as a smattering of short corners. It was from one of these short corners that Sutton took the lead with Canham firing in from Fox's slip pass. Sutton continued to press and it was not long before Will White doubled the lead after a pass from his brother Ed. Sutton's miserly defence of goalkeeper Sisson and defenders Baguley, Clarke, Adam Taylor and Ben Hales enjoy defending a clean sheet and today was no different. Whilst Kettering boasted a spritely forward line, the resolute Sutton defenders held firm supported as always by the deep lying Fox. Watt, although injured, worked hard for the team as he became Sutton's version of Kettering's finest son, Sean Dyche, and managed from the bench; ensuring that the team was rotated and fresh. This allowed Batten, who tried hard, to create chances at will and it was from one of these that Gary Hales slotted home Sutton's 3rd goal. Batten was not finished and it was no surprise when he slipped the prolific Fox in for Sutton's 4th before half time. Half time team talk ensued with the Sutton Dyche refreshing his rotation plans to keep the team fresh. Kettering remained organised in the second half and showed they are a good sound hockey playing team, whilst they never really threatened Sisson's goal they did keep Sutton honest and focussed on defending their lead. Sutton continued to create chances and whilst there were less than the first half they still paid dividends with Man of the Match Batten, creating a fifth for the also prolific Ed White – 5 goals; 5 scorers; 0 Battens! A good away win from a late push back in a week where selections were limited – excellent resolve from all of the team and a massive effort by some to even be able to play. They deserved the gorgeous travelling support the team attracted today, though whilst the hockey was enjoyable it has to be suspected that the ensuing Steak Dinner was the real draw! We go again next week……………… .