Ketton FC beat Cardea in Peterborough League Premier Division clash at Pit Lane
A second successive four-goal victory helped Ketton rise up the rankings in the Peterborough League Premier Division table as they made a winning return to action on Saturday.
The Quarrymen had entered lockdown at the end of October on the back of their first league win of the season following a 4-0 derby triumph over Oakham.
And Darren Moody’s men repeated the feat on Saturday as they scored four goals again to see off the challenge of Cardea at Pit Lane to move up to 12th place in the standings.
Mat Bird took the captain’s armband for the clash and netted his first goals of the season with a brace in the opening period.
His brother Will – playing under dual registration from Blackstones – was also on target along with impressive youngster Alfie Webb who capped a fine display with his maiden goal of the season.
Manager Moody had used the lockdown to strengthen his ranks with Ryan Hunnings joining as assistant boss while Steven Slack, Giuliano Staffieri and Vaidas Macianskis all made their debuts for the Rutland side.
Boss Moody said: “It was just great to be back in the hustle and bustle of playing football again.
“We played really well. We have recruited well over the lockdown which, in that instance, didn’t come at a bad time for us.
“It gave us a little bit of time to regroup and the reality of it is that we’ve now got back-to-back 4-0 home wins which you can’t argue with.
“We dominated the game after a slow start and really grew into it as the match progressed. I was really impressed with the players.”
Mat Bird had given Ketton the lead in the opening half as he soared to head home a brilliant free-kick from left-back Macianskis – who has joined from Yaxley Reserves - into the top corner of the Cardea net.
The lead was doubled just past the half-hour mark when Will Chamberlain released Will Bird and he slotted home in a one-on-one with the Cardea keeper.
Will Bird – who had earlier rattled the Cardea crossbar with a free-kick – then broke free again and, although his initial effort was blocked by the visiting goalkeeper, Mat Bird was following up to pounce on the rebound and fire home a fine finish into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.
Ketton continued to create the better openings after the break and sealed their success as Webb rounded off a terrific team move with his first goal in senior football.
Moody added: “The young lads were excellent for us. Alfie ran himself into the ground and really deserved his goal.
“Liam Taylor was superb on the other side and the work-rate from the young lads was brilliant.
“I couldn’t fault Luca Zirpolo at right-back while Haseeb Iftikhar came on and gave us some extra legs when we needed them.
“They are all teenagers and did really well, but they have also that experience alongside them now in the likes of Steven Slack and Giuliano Staffieri which they needed.”
The restrictions on players travelling between tiers had denied Ketton the services of several of their regulars – including skipper Connor Breakell – but they boosted their ranks by fielding Deeping Rangers duo Dan Swan and Luke Hunnings who helped secure a second successive clean sheet.
Moody explained: “It was nice having the experienced heads around. They were absolutely brilliant for our young lads who can learn so much from the likes of Dan, Luke and Will.
“They have got the right personalities and care about the club. I wouldn’t have them if they didn’t want to be around us.
“The players had to treat it as a positive. They are here to help the young lads and came in to embrace it. They were model players.”
Ketton are back in action again on Saturday they host Leverington Sports. The scheduled midweek trip to Netherton United on Tuesday night has been postponed at the request of the Peterborough club.
