Kettering Nomads FC

With last weekends creditable draw, Nomads were looking to chalk up their first victory of the 09/10 campaign.  Manager Rick Conway was able to field the same eleven that started at Harpole, however with Ben Hughes unavailable, new signing "Karl" Lee started on the bench.

Starting line up - Heads, Martin, H Lee, Conway, Stokes, MacNiven, Hector, Glazebrook, Perkins, Hobson, Walton. Subs - Castka, K Lee.

The warm autumn sunshine attracted a large number of cap wearing, Tennants Super Strength Lager drinking locals who did not disappoint with their quirky, quick witted "intelligent" banter. From a Nomads point of view the weather was about the only positive aspect of afternoon.

After a sloppy opening couple of minutes, Nomads found themselves a goal down when Captain Stokes was caught in possession, leaving the home team's No.9 one on one with Heads to comfortably score. A poor start turned into a nightmare, when the visiting team's defence, which had more gaps in it than Shane Macgowan's mouth, was breached again to leave Heads once more exposed and Nomads 2-0 down. Unable to string two passes together and unable to effectively clear their lines, Nomads really needed to show some kind of character. 

On the 20 minute mark they grabbed an unexpected lifeline when Hon Lam Lee rose like a (tin of ) salmon to head Nomads back in contention….surely now the Nomads of last season would finally turn up.  With their backs up and plenty of vocal encouragement, Nomads then re-pressed the self destruct button to allow Weldon to go 3-1 up as Conway mis-judged a headed back pass, which allowed the No. 9 to bag his second of the game. Worse was to come 5 minutes later when Stokes and Martin communicated by the power of "mute" to once again allow Weldon a one on one with a now despondent Heads and convert a fourth gift.

The home team surely thought all their Christmas' had come at once, but as a sense of complacency set in, Chris Walton forged an opening for himself to give Nomads a slither of hope - at 4-2 surely the next goal would be crucial. Aidy Hobson had a great chance right on half time to further reduce the deficit, but a fine save from the home keeper ensured Weldon held a two goal lead going into the break.

With words of encouragement, Nomads started the half in the belief they could force an unlikely come back, however the lions share of possession led to nothing other than the odd corner.  As Nomads ran out of steam and ideas, Weldon further inflicted more misery on the now sulking Heads, with a wonder goal in to the top right hand corner handing the No.9 a well deserved hat-trick. Nomads misery was complete when a straight long ball was not dealt with again, allowing the No 9 help himself to another gift wrapped goal. 

Quite how a team that has played together for the best part of 4 years could play without any conviction is a mystery, surely over the coming weeks fresh blood or alternative options have to be explored as this has to be put down as the worst Nomads reserve performance in recent years.