Kettering Nomads FC
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...Ageing stopper Steve Panter deputised in goal due to Heads on going health problems, whilst balding, moped riding, cart horse Craig Ferguson was employed at centre half and Club Captain Gary Massie shoe horned himself a place on the subs bench...
23rd January 2010
NOMADS RES (0) 1 ROADE RES (1) 1
R Thurlow
Nomads reserves finally beat the winter weather to play their first game in over 6 weeks. With only league respectability to play for, Nomads welcomed Roade to Orlingbury Lane. Having knocked Roade out of the County Cup, and picking up a creditable draw in the reverse fixture, Nomads were looking to kick 2010 off with maximum points.
With no fixture, manager Rick Conway was given access to pick from the first team squad. Ageing stopper Steve Panter deputised in goal due to Heads on going health problems, whilst balding, moped riding, cart horse Craig Ferguson was employed at centre half and Club Captain Gary Massie shoe horned himself a place on the subs bench.
Starting line up: Panter, Ferguson, Stokes, H Lee, Conway, R Thurlow, Hector, M Perkins, Marks, Hobson, T Perkins. Subs: Massie, Martin, Castka.
Perfect football conditions meant the game started off at a hectic pace with Nomads looking the more dangerous during the opening exchanges, with both Marks and Thurlow causing moments of desperate defending from the visitors. However as the half wore on, Roade took control of the game, missing several chances without really troubling Panter. However Nomads resident Victor Meldrew still found time to have a moan about having to keep getting the ball from the bushes!!!
With 30 minutes on the clock, Roade took a deserved lead when some hesitant defending allowed the visiting No.9 time and space in the box to put the ball past Panters despairing dive. The remainder of the half saw Roade push for a second and probably decisive goal, however a mix of last ditch defending and poor finishing meant Nomads were still in contention at the break.
Whatever words of wisdom were spoken from the management team during the half time cuppa seemed to fall on deaf ears, as the second half started much like how the first ended, with Roade forcing Nomads onto the back foot. Chance after chance was created as Nomads struggled to get out of their half. Panter was called upon to dive full length to turn a shot round the post, whilst also spreading himself well to thwart another goal bound effort. Rick introduced Gary Massie on the 60 minute mark, replacing Matt Hector in the middle of midfield….. if ever you need an experienced player to steady the ship then Massie surely is that man……. but after just 10 minutes (and one missed sitter) the reality of playing in the cold in January hit Massie like a tonne of bricks and a phantom hamstring injury meant the man who all at the club look up to had to be replaced by Ross Martin. Observers did however notice the pace that Massie managed to muster up to get back into the warm changing rooms and the hot showers.
Of course, a genuine hamstring injury means a good 3-4 weeks out!!!!, but on the plus side, as with Arsene Wenger, first team gaffer Nathan Eady has re-signed a former player in the twilight of their career - i.e. Craig "Corned Beef Bottom" Ferguson, who will have benefited from 90 minutes on Saturday to step up to the first team in sick notes absence.
With 20 minutes to play, Nomads awoke from their slumber and some good football found R Thurlow 50 yards from goal. With his pace and directness, he ghosted past the plodding defenders to slot the ball past the visiting keeper, to give Nomads an undeserved and unlikely equaliser. The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the young Roade side, as Nomads now pressed for all 3 points. Hobson had a gilt edged chance to do just that when he hit the underside of the bar from 3mm out, whilst another effort was well saved. As the pitch cut up and became heavier on the foot, the games final minutes petered out.
In summary, Roade will wonder just how they threw away two points whilst Nomads will certainly see it as a point gained. After the enforced winter break, maybe the match rustiness will clear as Nomads still have 15 games of the season left. A winning run would catapult Nomads to respectability whilst a monumental effort could still see them match last seasons 3rd place. However if the Nomads reserves teams that have let in six goals on no fewer than four occasions this season keep turning up, then their status in the reserve premier division is no guarantee.
Individual Ratings (out of 10)
| Panter (8) - 2-3 excellent saves from Freidel, blotted his copy book with the kicking of a club footed 3 year old. |
| Ferguson (8) - Back at the club after 3 years in the wilderness at Thrapston, rock solid performance and led by example. |
| M Perkins (6) - Played out wide and was never really able to get in the game as an attacking force, but worked hard. |
| Hobson (5) - Another player who struggled to make an impact, fluffed his lines when glory beckoned to grab winner. |
No lookalike currently available - all suggestions welcomed | T Perkins (5) - Shadow of the threat from last season, struggled to make an impact. |
Conway's Comments -
| "After such a long break it is good to get back playing. I was wary that fitness would be a problem but we stuck in there and now have a platform to build on" |
