Vics didn't start playing until the second half here and still managed to rattle in four goals - but it really should have been more.

Played at a frenetic pace, neither team showed the composure necessary in the first half to build up meaningful attacks. Indeed, after an early scare for Vics when Wilkes hit wide from just six yards, Kettering didn't put a shot on target. At the other end though Chris Taylor in the Kettering goal had little more to do.

He did produce one save of note on 23 minutes, a deep Duffy cross from the left falling to Stannard whose volleyed effort from an acute angle on the right side of the area forced the keeper into an improvised stop with his legs.

After the interval though and Vics were rejuvenated. Maybe a few strong words from Wilson had reminded them they were in a cup tie, for within two minutes of the restart Ian Cooke had headed home superbly. A Gardiner corner from the left was flicked on by Stannard to the back post where the in-rushing Cooke headed home bravely.

For the remaining 43 minutes it was one-way traffic. Before more goals were added though, Vics contrived to miss one glorious opportunity after another to keep the fans guessing.

On 55 minutes a mix up between Vowden and Cox allowed Williams to steal the ball and run at goal unchallenged. His shot from the edge of the box beat the out-rushing Taylor but also sailed wide of the post.

Nine minutes later, after Walters, Williams and Stannard had all come close once again, John Stannard produced the miss of the season. He latched onto a deflected Cooke shot just six yards out. With an empty net facing him he missed the ball, lost his balance and the opportunity was gone. As he lay face down in the turf Stannard's embarrassment was obvious, but with admirable determination he used the miss to fuel his search for a goal, which came on 72 minutes.

Gardiner whipped in an in-swinging cross from the right. Stannard, the smallest player on the pitch, timed a run from the edge of the box to perfection meeting the cross with his head six yards out. A reaction save from Taylor returned the ball to Stannard who bundled it over the line.

The two-goal cushion relaxed Vics and they attacked at will. Two minutes later and Stannard, confidence restored, cut in from the right with his sights set on goal. Seemingly having dwelled on the ball too long he layed it off to Cooke as Kettering got men behind the ball. A neat pass from Cooke though played Williams into the area. His first time shot beat Taylor but hit the post. It rebounded straight back to him to score with ease.

With four minutes remaining Vicary, on for Stannard, crossed from the left by-line to Williams, who volleyed over with an empty net facing him. It was second only to Stannard's as the miss of the season, but with three goals on the board and the game won nobody really cared. The miss was forgotten within two minutes, a fabulous Bishop tackle leading to a break-away which saw Vicary pounce onto a deflected shot from Cooke to walk the ball into the net for number four and a collective job well done from the Greens.

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