BDHC (2) @ Kettering (5)

The Dragons came away disappointed not to have pushed promotion hopefuls Kettering closer, feeling perhaps that they hadn't played to their full potential, particularly having taken the lead through an Alex Hutton spinarama within the first 3 minutes.
Kettering's strong press had the Dragons under the cosh for prolonged periods, though there were elements of luck in both the equaliser and the go ahead goal, the former ricocheting off a defenders stick and Portlock for once literally beaten to the punch as an opportunistic Kettering forward managed to bat the ball in from head high as Portlock went to clear.
The 2nd was simularly fortuitous in that another ricochet, this time off a Dragon's heel up in a central midfield area, wrong footed the entire back line, landing safely at the stick of the Kettering forward who found himself through on goal.
As the match became more and more physical on a sluggish and sandy pitch, the game became more and more staccato as both sides struggled to find any kind of flow.
Brewer saved a short corner on the post and saves from Portlock were backed up by excellent defending from Briault, Clarkson and Edward Moisey.
The all important 3rd goal came just before the break, Portlock making a great double save but a 3rd bite of the cherry saw the home side double their lead.
The response from Bourne Deeping was to hit back quickly in what was becoming an end to end contest. Joe Allen had the ball in the net with a delightful dinked finish over the grounded goal keeper following Joseph Moisey's reverse stick shot, however the initial shot was deemed to be back stick and the goal disallowed.
A 3-1 halftime deficit was not insurmountable, and they looked to start the second half as they had the first. Within a minute Ben Brittain had worked the ball through to Alex Hutton who's scuffed shot was saved by the goalkeeper who also somehow managed to block Joseph Moisey's follow up effort. The resulting short corner failed at the injection stage and that 2 minute passage of play rather summed up the Dragons' day. Lots of effort and some good approach play, but things just not clicking. And when minutes later Moisey's shot was brilliantly blocked by a defender on the line, you got the feeling it wasn't going to be Bourne Deeping's day!
Kettering extended their lead with a quick counter attack from their own 25 metre line, though Portlock made some good saves to keep the Dragons in the game, and when Callum Howitt scored after great work down the right by Andy Kind, they was a brief resurgence in belief, knowing the next goal if it went the Dragons' way could cause more than a little nervousness in the Kettering ranks. However it was Kettering who scored next, another pass deflected off a defender's stick outside the D, falling to a forward near the P spot who was able to turn and score. More physicality saw both teams reduced to 10 men towards the end of the game, but Kettering were able to see this one out and keep their promotion hopes on track. For the Dragons a case of "on another day...." but they can still be proud of their efforts in this one and look to get back on track against City of Peterborough in a fortnight's time.
MOTM: Graham Brewer