After suffering from 2 early morning drop outs, Cardea were left with only 1 substitute for the game while Ketton had the advantage of their first team game being called off meaning they could potentially take advantage of the available players.

The lack of availability handed first starts to teenager James Ware who started the game behind the striker and to Kyl “Ramo” Ramsey – a full back who apparently scores goals.

It didn’t take long for Cardea to open the scoring. With 3 minutes on the clock Thomas Klinkovics won the ball back and fed the ball through to Michael Dandrilli who managed to poke the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Cardea managed to control the early tempo excellently and used the ball fantastically to cut Ketton open time and time again. The Ketton ‘keeper making some good stops as well as some good “last ditch” defending stopping Cardea doubling the lead.

Ketton could only hold on for so long and a Tom Rimes ball from the back, found its way through to top scorer Thomas Klinkovic who used his body well to roll his defender and then finish well 1v1. Something he failed to do when presented with a chance for his Hat-trick last weekend.

Ketton came into the game and had some good opportunities towards the end of the first half, their winger getting time and space out wide to cross excellently towards the back post. Fortunately, for Cardea, the ball evaded the Ketton big man up front and fell for Kyl “scores goals” Ramsey to clear.

HT: Ketton Reserves 0-2 Cardea FC

The message from the management was a simple one, “manage the game, be patient and enjoy yourselves”.

The majority of the second half was similar to the first, with Cardea controlling the tempo and Ketton creating good chances through the wide men. John Reddell, Ash Baldwin and James Ware all knocking the ball around nicely to create opportunities going forward whilst battering ram Kieran Hart (on the back of his player of the month performance) was his usual self, running at his men at every opportunity.

On the 61st minute, Cardea introduced Martin Holyoak and moved Klinkovics and Dandrilli wide of him upfront. This gave Cardea’s attack a new dimension and something extra for Ketton to think about. On the whole, the Ketton defence dealt with the target man well. This was until Holyoak channelled his inner Mo Farah and chased a long ball down from inside his own half, the pressure of the man mountain was enough to put off the Ketton keeper (who in the end was floored) and after an off balance “swing and a miss” from Holyoak, the ball fell to Klinkovics who rounded the floored keeper and slotted home. The goal came to the relief of Ash Baldwin who shouted some expletives towards Klinkovics as he lined up to shoot.

Cardea saw the game out comfortably and were unlucky not to score a fourth when the ball fell to the reintroduced James Ware. The youngster was unlucky in his finish.

FT: Ketton Reserves 0-3 Cardea FC

After the game manager Matt Robinson said the following “A fantastic performance today and I would go as far to say it was the best all-round and most professional performance we have delivered over the last 2 years. The lads have struggled to see games out at times but today was superb!”.

MOTM was awarded to Ash Baldwin who controlled the game from start to finish in central midfield.

With the league season now complete for the first team the attention moves onto the reserves who play Stilton Reserves on Saturday.