Kettering Town
Vs. London Hibernian, Wormwood Scrubs (on pitches so criminal that they are
rightly next to HMP "the scrubs")
Date: Sunday 20th February 2000
Scot
Drummond (9)
Aidan McGettigan (9.5) Mark Grice (9.5) Jim McPherson (9.75) Lee Steer (9.5)
Neil Hinty (9.5) Jason Steer (9.5) Adam Pomoro (9.5) Russell Stinson (9.5)
Graeme Thompson (9.75) Gerry Vavasour (9)
Substitutes:
James Allen (for Gerry Vavasour) 9.5
Leon Ashford (for Lee Steer) 9
Dave (NH's flatmate) for Graeme Thompson 8
Hibees in 9-goal thrashing
Kettering are not the team they once were, challenging us for the third
division 6 seasons ago or pipping us by one point to win the second division
3 seasons ago. They didn't organise a referee, so yours truly "Slobodan
Robertson" stepped in to the breech (snugly).
With most of our first team players back, we were never going to lose. So it
was a question of staying motivated long enough to pile on the goal
difference. The manager's pre-match instructions were very simple,
� Play the ball down the flanks.
� Lob it over the quagmire in the middle.
When these were followed, the goals flowed. First to score was an on form
Graeme Thompson, returning at 6.30am from a fitness weekend in the Emerald
Isle. I put him up front with Showbiz and he did not disappoint. The first
goal after enormous over elaboration came eventually in the 15th minute.
Graeme rounding the keeper and slotting home. 1-0 to the Hibees. 10 minutes
later, there was a second goal by GT, with London Hibs moving forward in
scenes reminiscent of the Charge of the Light Brigade. Power football rather
than poetic. Showbiz, not to be outdone stepped up despite an ankle knock to
make it 3-0 in 20 minutes. Russell Stinson, happy along with Aido for the
Irish Rugby result then knocked in his first and our fourth.
The best move of the half didn't actually result in a goal. The move started
from right back, Aido received the ball from Jim speeding down the right,
one two with Neil Hinty and on to Adam who then placed a superb pass in the
path of the indefatigable McGettigan. The ball was smashed just past the
post. Deserved a goal!
Half Time 0-4
The key to winning the league may come to goal difference; with this in mind
the half time talk actually became a bit of a bollocking. The point on goal
difference was well made. So within five minutes of the start Russell
Stinson made it 5-0 with the best goal of the day. Outside their box, he
drilled home with a crisp sweet volley. Fab
GT was having a stonker of a game, receiving the ball in midfield he stormed
forward through the football equivalent of Flanders field, in on goal he
made it 6-0 in 55th minute.
Jim and Gricey played a key role in our attack, by breaking their forwards'
hearts. Route one football is damned effective in conditions like these and
it worked well. Next to step up to the plate, was one the Kettering players.
A Turkey voting for Christmas or someone just so bloody exhausted or someone
who wants us to beat Rangers in the league, so 7-0 in the 57th minute. All
these goals are hiding the fact that there were so many misses. Adam an
absolute sitter, something about the ball sticking in the mud, big Jason
smacking the ball hither and thither, Russell whilst scoring 2, squandered
several. Neil hinty driving from the back also passed up on Glory, as did
the in-form Aido. But then that is looking at the CUP as half full. Gerry V,
suffering a ankle knock came off and the James Allen got stuck in right
away, with Leon on for Lee Steer. James beat four players on the right to
get stuck in the mud. His persistence paid off when he eventually knocked
in, to equal our highest score this season of 8-0. Finally, temporary
Captain Pomoro fumbled the ball across the line from an inch out. Getting to
the ball faster than the Kettering goalkeeper who was actually on crutches
before the match. Adam and Russell along with Gerry V are going for the
London Hibs golden boot. Things could get very interesting.
So 9-0 at full time.
Match View:
A sound overall performance, the panther kept an immaculately clean sheet,
like the Immaculate Conception, this was also a miracle. Given that Jim and
Gricey are on fire, our keepers don't have much to do. The backs fitness
gave us numerous attacking options and broke their spirit regularly. In
midfield, the welcome return of Jason Steer augmented the skill of Adam and
showed the sibling love inter-passing with his wee brother. Up front GT was
superb and showbiz could take it easy.
I'm delighted, well done.
MoM: Graeme for three well taken goals. Jim was immense a usual, but G&T
gets the vote.
Kevin
Manager London Hibs
|