Kettering Nomads FC

12th December 2009

                                                    Symington 2, Piazza 2, Norton 

Nomads continued their push for the Division 1 crown as they strolled to a comfortable victory against bottom of the table Cold Ashby.

"Tinkerman" Nathan Eady once again could not resist the temptation of changing his starting line up for a world record busting 300th game on the trot. This week's changes saw Ingham, Clark and Norton all return, with S Morris and Thurlow the recipients of the dreaded pre match words "Can I just have a quick chat", which translated means "You are on the bench this week!". Captain Gary Massie was another absentee, but the bench positively bristled with a tremendous array of talent, as Loake returned from injury and ginger beanpole Jackson was back after serving his five match suspension.

Starting Line Up - Panter, Joy, Evans, Ingham, Smith, Piazza, Bright, D Morris, Clark, Norton, Symington. Subs - Loake, Thurlow, S Morris, Jackson, Newcombe.

With Cold Ashby leaking more goals than the number of Tiger Wood's conquests, Nomads were full of confidence that they could complete a league double over their opponents and keep them pinned firmly to the foot of the table.

The Cold Ashby pitch was absolutely superb, and allowed Nomads to quickly get into their stride as they zipped the ball around on the slick surface. Early chances were created for both Symington and Norton, but on both occasions the home side's keeper pulled off incredible saves to deny Nomads the opening goal. The away side then survived a scare of their own as a corner from the left was cleared off the line by the ever dependable Evans. 

Nomads refused to panic and continued to string together some impressive passing moves. However when the first goal finally came it was a scrappy one. A corner from the left was hooked back into the danger zone by D Morris and Norton rose highest at the far post to head the ball into the roof of the net. The lead was quickly doubled, as a searching ball from Evans was chested down by Symington perfectly into the path of the onrushing Piazza. As Screetch prepared to pull the trigger, the Cold Ashby keeper had obviously heard of his usual shooting prowess and started to run behind the goal to fetch the expected shot, however to everyones amazement, the ball rocketed into the top corner.

With the Cold Ashby heads dropping fast, Nomads began to turn on the style and quickly added two more first half goals. Another great passing move down the right flank was finished off by Piazza from close range, before Symington hit the fourth with a smart turn and shot into the far corner. Cold Ashby should have reduced the deficit just before half time, as a quick counter attack saw them catch Nomads with too many men forward, but the striker could find nothing to shoot at with Panter's massive frame bearing down on him and feebly hit his shot from six yards out straight into the bald number 1's hands.

With the result already in the bag, Nomads expected the second half to continue where they had left off. However, despite enjoying large amounts of possession, they started to over play things and saw most of their attacks come to nothing. With the game becoming increasingly stretched, Eady made use of his huge squad and sent on Loake, S Morris and Jackson for Bright, Evans and Norton respectively, with half an hour to play.  

Nomads finally broke the deadlock in the second period with perhaps the gaol of the game, as a flowing move which started on the edge of their own penalty area was finished off with aplomb by gypsies whippet Symington.

The win moves Nomads up to fourth in the table, with games in hand on all of their closest rivals. The last game of 2009 sees them entertain second placed Corby Kingfisher in what will surely be a crucial game in the context of the title race.