KETTON made a winning return to competitive football with a hard fought win over Peterborough Sports on Saturday.
The result, which is the first since Andy Gray stepped up a manager, lifts the Rutland side into second place in the table, with a ho
me game against league leaders Powerleague scheduled for this coming weekend.
On the balance of play Peterborough Sports will perhaps feel hard done by as they had the better of the early exchanges only to concede a penalty which was both won and converted by Paul Richardson midway through the first half.
The hosts however, had the ideal chance to restore parity 10 minutes later as they too were awarded a penalty following a scramble in the Ketton box. Ketton 'keeper Jamie Scott produced a great save low to his left to maintain his side's lead at the break.
Ketton looked more assured in the second half and James Farrell doubled their lead with a calm finish from a Richardson pass 20 minutes into the half.
Sports got back into the game with a quickly taken free kick and upped the pressure on the Ketton rearguard as Scott produced another fine save and Matt Woodman cleared one off the line.
The hosts were reduced to ten men late on after a rash challenge on the excellent Calvin Whittle left the referee with little option, making it easier for Ketton to claim the win.
"There's no doubt that we rode our luck at times but the work rate and spirit we showed near the end was first class," commented new Ketton boss Andy Gray.
"A lot of the lads haven't played since the first week of December and the club's obviously undergone a difficult Christmas, so I am delighted with the character we demonstrated.
"The referee somehow managed to find nine minutes of injury time in the second half so it was a real test of fitness.
"We played some very good stuff in patches, and when we play like that we know that no one can live with us. We now have to sustain it for longer periods, especially against Powerleague this weekend which will be a real test.
"It was great to be able to call Shane and tell him that we won after the game on Saturday. This is his team and we're going to do everything we can to get promotion for him."
Ketton: Jamie Scott, Lee Dale, Scott Holland, Martin Trawford, Malcolm Duff (Michael Saffer), Matt Woodman, Calvin Whittle, John Hoyles, Alex Griffin, Paul Richardson (Alex Sismore), James Farrell (Aaron Young). Sub not used: Andy Gray
