Spalding Sharks were unlucky that their home match against Kettering finished in a 7-7 draw, having dominated the play for most of the match.
Sharks opened the scoring, with a goal after 15 seconds from Jordan Templer.
Two more goals in the next two minutes from Templer and Chris Scotney, scoring from a goal throw, showed the Sharks’ dominance in this first quarter.
Kettering pulled one back to make it 3-1 against the run of play. Spalding continued to dominate the game, with shots from Tim Shields, Steve Rodgers and Scotney being saved.
An excellent block from George Rodgers just before the whistle denied Kettering adding to their tally.
Early in the second quarter Sharks keeper John Davis suffered a dislocated finger on his right hand from a Kettering short-range shot from which thet scored.
Great team play, especially from ‘Sheddy’ Hall, John James, Templer and Scotney boosted Sharks’ confidence and it was only a matter of time before they scored again. A great back flip goal from James started the goal rout of three goals in a minute.
Another goal from Templer and Scotney’s second, following accurate combo passing between himself and James, increased their lead to 6-2. Kettering added another goal despite good reaction saves from Davis.
The third quarter started with rough, scrappy play from Kettering, desperate to score more goals, but the Sharks were unable to capitalise on being the better side.
Strong play from Calvin Wilson and more excellent keeping from Davis added to Kettering’s frustration. They finally scored after taking advantage of being man-up.
The Sharks increased the lead again with 30 seconds of the quarter left, with a goal from Gareth Lord to make it 7-4.
The fourth quarter saw good positional fast play from Sheddy and pin-point shots from Lord but the Sharks failed to add another goal.
Kettering again took advantage of being man-up, scoring and reducing the deficit to two. They added another goal shortly after to make the score 7-6.
Sharks brought on their fast attacking players for the final two minutes of the match in an attempt to break through the Kettering defence, without luck.
And disappointment followed when Kettering scored to make it 7-7 with only 17 seconds left.
Sharks goals: Templer (3), Scotney (2), James, Lord.
