Late goal see's Poppies pegged back

 

Aaron Powell scored his first goal in a Poppies shirt

STAMFORD 1 KETTERING TOWN 1

They say that football can even itself out and that was most certainly the case yesterday for Kettering Town. A week earlier it was The Poppies that had the joy of an injury-time equalizer to earn a point against AFC Telford United. Fast forward seven days and it was our turn to feel the pain Telford felt last week when Stamford scored in the tenth minute of injury time to take a point that in truth they never looked like earning at any point in the game.

There was good numbers made the short trip to the game, I'd say easily 700 poppies made up a seasons best attendance for Stamford of 1237. The match itself wasn't a classic, mainly due to a heavy wind blowing down the pitch. For almost all the match whilst not being spectacular The Poppies were in control of the game and Stamford never looked a threat to Kettering goal except long balls into the box that were well dealt with all afternoon by Johnson, Gudger and Jezeph.

We actually started the game well, New signing Jamar Loza looked lively on the left wing and he earned an assist on his debut as he played in Aaron Powell and as defenders backed off Aaron took the ball forward before hitting a low strike into the net. Fitting reward for The Poppies best player on the afternoon and also his first goal for the club. Wes York and Sam McLintock both had chances to extend the lead but couldn't and as the half-time whistle blew the Poppies went off deservedly in front and looking comfortable. 

The second half saw us playing with the strong wind behind us, unfortunately we decided to play a long ball game and this simply wasn't working as the wind was simply carrying the ball through. Stamford were seeing more of the ball but that was mainly playing simple passes along the back four before going long and like the first half Kettering never looked in any danger. The actual second half was in truth a bit of a non event, well that was until the match entered injury time. 

A very generous looking six minutes were added and the referee (who was poor throughout) found another four minutes from somewhere on top of that. Stamford won a corner in the last of those four minutes and the corner was put over to the back post and headed in with basically their only attempt in the whole game. Video's of the goal from behind the goal since show the goal probably should not have stood for a clear foul on Jezeph, but there was no way a referee as weak as the one in the middle yesterday was going to rule it out.

The game re-started and just seconds later full-time was blown. It was most definitely two points dropped against a very average Stamford side. But you can't complain because as was said the boot was on the other foot last week. The OTT celebrations by the Stamford players and management staff at full-time again just showed we are the big fish in this league and how every team we face it's a cup final to them. I don't think I've seen celebrations for a point quite like the one's Stamford showed at full-time yesterday. Still if they are that happy with a point when really they needed three for their own play-off push then good luck to them.

For us, Myself I thought the title had gone weeks ago and after yesterday I think that's pretty much certain now. We have five games left that on paper we should be winning all five. But form and performances since Christmas doesn't make me feel confident that will happen. But if the title isn't won by us we have to look at second place to allow us to play all play-off games at Latimer Park because in the play-offs you need every advantage possible. 

Full-Time: Stamford 1 Kettering Town 1

Kettering Town Team

1.Dan Jezeph

2.Ben Hart

3.Aaron Powell

4.Devon Kelly-Evans

5.Connor Johnson (c)

6.Alex Gudger

7.Wes York (Sub Kai Fifield)

8.Andi Thanoj (Sub Kyle Storer)

14.Sam McLintock (Sub Luca Miller)

18.Jonny Edwards (Sub Nile Ranger)

20.Jamar Loza (Sub Lewis White)

Bookings: Jezeph, Storer, Hart

Att: 1237

#UTP KTFC Man of The Match: Aaron Powell

Poppies add two on dealine day

 

Jamar Loza joins from Leiston

Yesterday saw the Southern League's registration deadline and Poppies manager Richard Lavery swooped to add the the forward line at Latimer Park. Striker Jamar Loza signed from league rivals Leiston and forward Tate Xavier-Jones joined on loan from Luton Town.

JAMAR LOZA

A vastly experienced striker 30 year old Jamar has scored 24 goals for Leiston in all competitions this season.  In just under two seasons with The Blues he scored 44 goals including a superb goal in the 2-2 draw at Latimer Park last season. Loza began his career with Norwich City and had loan spells in the football league with Coventry City, Leyton Orient, Southend United, Yeovil Town and Stevenage whilst at Carrow Road. In October 2016 he joined Maidstone United before spells with Woking, Barnet, King's Lynn Town and Dartford prior to joining Leiston in July 2023. Jamar is also a full Jamaican International having won four caps for The Raggae Boyz. This is a signing of real intent from The Poppies as the race for promotion enters its final month.

Tate Xavier-Jones arrives from Luton

TATE XAVIER-JONES

The second arrival at Latimer Park yesterday was 18 year old forward Tate Xavier-Jones who joins on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Luton Town. He joined his home town club aged six and is now a regular goal scorer in the Under 18 and Under 21 sides at Kenilworth Road. A quick, powerful and hardworking player who can play through the middle or out wide Tate should add creativity to the Poppies front line for the run in.

Away Fans Guide to Latimer Park

 

Saturday see's the big top of the table clash at Latimer Park as AFC Telford United visit. With The Bucks expected to bring a healthy following with them here is a quick guide to Kettering Town FC, Latimer Park and the surrounding areas.

STADIUM ADDRESS

Kettering Town Football Club

Powell Lane

Burton Latimer

Northamptonshire

NN15 5PS

DIRECTIONS

By Car: Leave the A14 at junction 10 and take the A6 towards Bedford. At the next roundabout take the second exit towards Latimer Business Park (the football ground is signposted from here). At the next roundabout take the third exit (signposted Station Road Industry). Follow the round round passing the Morrisons Distribution Centre on the left and the the Weetabix factory on the right. The entrance to Latimer Park is the a short way further down on the left. There is a large car park at the ground.

By Train: Kettering Railway station is just over three miles away from Latimer Park. Outside the station is a taxi rank. The Station is served by trains from London St Pancras and Nottingham.

By Bus: Stage Coach Buses run to Latimer Park from Kettering Town centre. Buses can be caught from the Interchange in Horsemarket from Stand 13. Bus 50 to Bedford will take you directly past the football ground. These depart from Horsemarket on the hour. Return journeys pick up at the stop opposite the ground and are at every 46 minutes past the hour.

PUBS AND BARS 

If you want any pre-match refreshments there is a social club at the football ground. It has a good selection of beers, ciders and ales. It is situated outside of the main entrance to the ground.

In the town of Kettering itself there is a Wetherspoons (The Earl of Dalkeith) and other pubs including The Rising Sun, The Stitching Pony and The Peacock. In the town of Burton Latimer there are two pubs both around a 10/15 minute walk from the ground. The Olde Victoria opens at 12 noon and The Dukes Arms opens at 14:00.

FOOD OUTLETS

Refreshments will be available inside the ground. Outside of the ground in the Fan Zone is an excellent pizza van that sells freshly cooked stone baked pizza and other dishes.

AFC Telford United supporters will be housed at the "Morrisons" end of the stadium. Pictured below you will see the seated stand that is for Telford supporters as well as the terracing to the left of the stand. The match is fully segregated and any Telford supporter found to be in the home section of the stadium will be removed and may be refused re-entry to the ground.

 

The Morrisons end of Latimer Park

 

   

Poppies v The Church

 

Ahead of tonight's crucial clash at Lye Meadow we look at Alvechurch FC, the two teams form, past meetings and history of The Church v The Poppies

A look at Alvechurch FC

Founded: 1929

Nickname: The Church

Stadium: Lye Meadow

Capacity: 3,000

Manager: Tim Flowers

Home Kit: Amber and Black

The Two Teams Recent Form

Alvechurch Last Five Games: LWWLL

Alvechurch Last Five Home Games: WWWWW

Kettering Last Five Games: DLWWD

Kettering Last Five Away Games: DWLWL

The Two Teams League Details

Alvechurch League Position - 11th (47 points)

Home Record Position - 14th (25 points from 15 games)

Highest Victory - 4-0 v Lowestoft Town (A)

Highest Defeat - 3-5 v Barwell (A)

Top Scorer (All comps) - Dan Sweeney (7)

Kettering League Position - 4th (61 points)

Away Record Position - 9th (24 points from 17 games)

Highest Victory - 4-0 v Spalding United (H)

Highest Defeat - 1-3 v Bedford Town (A)

Top Scorer (All Comps) - Jonny Edwards (11)

Previous Meetings

04/03/2025 

Kettering Town 2 (York 55, Noel-Williams 66) 

Alvechurch 1 (Crowther 8)

23/03/2024

Kettering Town 2 (Yussuf 17,90)

Alvechurch 0

25/11/2023

Alvechurch 1 (Gordon 71)

Kettering Town 1 (Miller 32)

06/04/2019

Kettering Town 1 (Stanley 53)

Alvechurch 2 (Willets 3, Botfield 88)

29/09/2018

Alvechurch 1 (O'Callaghan 14)

Kettering Town 3 (Hoenes 2,60, Towers 45)

Players that have played for both clubs

Kemy Agustien

Khaellem Bailey-Nicholls

Kobe Chong

Jermaine Clarke

Dan Jezeph

Mike McGrath

Sam McLintock

Orrin Pendley

Kyle Perry

Omari Sterling-James

Chris Taylor

Nick Wright

Hey Babaie!

 

Ahead of this afternoon's trip to Lowestoft Town Richard Lavery has added to his front-line with the signing of  Biggleswade Town striker Cyrus Babaie-Gumbs. The 25 year old striker has scored 11 goals in 29 appearances for The Waders after joining them in the summer from Potters Bar Town.

Cyrus has also played for Welwyn Garden City, Hoddesdon Town and Langford.

Has much been happening this week?

Key-Man Isiah-Noel Williams departed Latimer Park this week

If like myself you have supported Kettering Town for a long time you tend to get use to things never being plain sailing. From winding up orders in the high court to the 39 days of Gazza life is rarely dull if you support Kettering Town. Just when you begin to think things are looking good again, Bang something happens to bring you back down to earth.

Well this last week has most definitely been one of them weeks. It started with a 3-2 home defeat to a truly awful St Ives Town team that didn't really need to be anything more than awful to collect three points against our Sunday league defending and stop The Poppies going back to the top of the league.

Then came the news Star-man Isiah Noel-Williams had left the club because a relegation battle in the Northern Premier League with Matlock Town appealed more to him that a Poppies promotion push. I think it's been obvious for a while now that things haven't been great between Isiah and the manager Richard Lavery. Isiah had come close to leaving a few weeks back after being left out of the squad altogether for the match away at Sudbury. But all appeared to be sorted when he return for the next game and has quiet frankly been superb since he did return.

The news of Isiah leaving came from him himself, Posting on his X account "My time at Kettering has come to an end. I have tried to give everything for Kettering this season, but there is some things that are beyond repair and I can't allow my name to be unfairly tarnished. Thank you only to the fans and the players. The best set of fans I've played for". Now from the last couple of sentences I think it's pretty clear why he left and because of who he left.

There have been rumours of discontent in the squad since after Christmas. Personally I think Lavs has done a good job, but I think you can see from sometimes the way he acts on the touch line he can probably rub some of his players up the wrong way. I think footballers these days probably take more to constructive criticism than having expletives screamed in their faces after a not so great performance. He's a passionate manager and I don't think anyone can question his commitment to being the manager of Kettering Town. But something has to give soon. Does he calm down a bit and maybe become less of a manager or do the owners soon become annoyed at losing top talent such as Isiah Noel-Williams and intervene.  

But whilst feelings in the fanbase have been running high this week with quotes such as "That's it all gone tits up", "We can kiss goodbye to promotion" and just plain straight to the point "We are fucked" lets just look at the bigger picture. We are second, two points off the top with a game in hand. There isn't a stand out side in the whole division so no one looks like putting together a run that will see them win the title and others around us will drop points between now and the end of the season.

Yes Isiah going is a blow, yes there are rumours that the relationship between the manager and the players isn't the greatest but as it stands promotion is still very much in our own hands. We all (Staff, Players, Fans) need to stick together for these last 9 games. We can't throw the towel in here, lets worry about any tensions in the dressing room at the end of the season and act then. But for now, let's all stick together and see where it takes us.

Fans of other clubs like Bedford, Telford, Halesowen are Harborough might want to poke fun at us. The wheels are off they say. Looking at the league table they are very much still on. 

And if you are a Kettering fan ask yourself this. Would you rather support Bedford?, A club that can't get promotion as they are selling their soul and history for a merger?. Telford?, A clubs who's fans already let their club die once and think they are some massive club when they are anything but. Halesowen?, A little club who have never played above this level but have a fanbase who think they are a big non league club and who are a bit obsessed with the smell of Weetabix, Or Harborough?, A club who once the money men get bored of throwing money at it to barely get 400 through the gates and walk away will be back in the UCL league quicker than they came up?

Nah for me I'd take being a Poppies fan over all that. Because whilst It's never dull nothing else will come close to it

Fin is In for Poppies

 

Finley Wilkinson has arrived at Latimer Park on loan from Barnet

Following yesterday's shock news that Isiah Noel-Williams had departed Latimer Park to join Matlock Town Poppies boss Richard Lavery has moved quickly to bring in 22 year old attacking midfielder Finley Wilkinson on loan from National League leaders Barnet.

Wilkinson began his career in Ipswich Town's youth academy before joining Histon. In August 2022 Finley signed for Hitchin Town and went on to make 58 appearances for The Canaries scoring 22 goals. He played three times against The Poppies last season for Hitchin scoring the third goal in the 4-0 win against Kettering at Latimer Park last September.

His strong performances at Hitchin saw him snapped up by Barnet and he has made five appearances for  The Bees this season. Finley has had loan spells this season with Braintree Town (8 games, 1 Goal), St Albans City (3 games) and Chelmsford City (12 games 2 goals). His last game was last Saturday for Chelmsford against Dorking Wanderers.

Finley goes straight into The Poppies squad for Saturday match away at Lowestoft Town

 

Isiah inspires Poppies to victory

 

Isiah Noel-Williams hits the important winner

KETTERING TOWN 2 ALVECHURCH 1

A fantastic second half performance from Kettering Town saw the Poppies come from a goal down to beat Alvechurch 2-1 and leapfrog AFC Telford United into second place in the Southern League Premier Division Central. The Poppies now know that should they defeat St Ives Town on Saturday they will return to the top of the league table.

Alvechurch were a typical Tim Flowers side, well drilled and a side looking to break up play at every opportunity with fouls making the game stop start. They were also good at set plays and it's from one of those that they stunned The Poppies by taking an early lead. A corner from the right was superbly delivered by Erik Savkin and poor marking by the Kettering defence allowed Archie Crowther a free header six yards out that he buried past Dan Jezeph.

Eight minutes later a poor start became worse when influential midfielder Devon Kelly-Evans pulled up chasing a ball and his game was over, being replaced by Sam McLintock. After the game manager Richard Lavery confirmed Kelly-Evans has pulled his hamstring and is facing 4-6 weeks on the side-lines. The Poppies squad is being stretched now as Jonny Edwards was again missing with the hip injury he picked up at Bedford and it being confirmed that Callum Powell will miss the rest of the season after scans showed he has broken his fibula. With Kelly-Evans now out and also Tyree Wilson withdrawn at half-time with an injury Lavery did admit he may be forced into adding to his squad for the run in.

Back to the game and the rest of the first half was spent seeing The Poppies have most of the position but not really creating many chances. Both Wes York and Terell Pennant forced Dale Eve into two routine saves and on the stroke of half-time a dangerous free kick from Ben Hart was pushed away by Eve as Alex Gudger waited to pounce. Alvechurch looked pretty happy to sit back and invite the Poppies onto them and look to play on the counter attack.

Whatever was said by Lavery at half-time clearly seemed to do the trick as Kettering came out looking far more on the front foot and began to really take the game to the visitors. Isiah Noel-Williams started the half like a man on a real mission as his strength, power and non stop running was really beginning to trouble Alvechurch and the only way they could stop The Poppies attacker was to foul him at almost every opportunity. And from one of those fouls Andi Thanoj floated over a lovely free kick to the back post where Wes York (Who had a superb game up front) looped a header over Eve and into the back of the net to draw The Poppies level.

As soon as that goal went in there was only ever going to be one winner. Kyle Storer came on for Terrell Pennant and a change in formation saw York move out onto the wing and Noel-Williams play as the main striker. His performance went up a gear as he hustled and harried the Alvechurch defence,

What turned out to be the winning goal came on the 76 minute and it was fitting that Noel-Williams should score it. A Poppies corner was cleared and it found Ben Hart on the half way line. He played a superb diagonal ball that found Connor Johnson and he cushioned a lovely pass into the path of Noel-Williams who arrived at the near post to poke the ball home past Eve.

Alvechurch didn't ever really look like getting back into the game at any point with Kettering looking strong at the back. In fact the lead should have been added to when Noel-Williams tackled the last Alvechurch defender on the half-way line and raced away on goal with just Eve to beat. But Isiah was caught in two minds of should he shoot himself or pass to the supporting McLintock, he chose the latter but the pass was poor and an Alvechurch defender had got back to clear.

Just a couple of minutes later the full-time whistle had blown and Kettering had the three points. It's now just one defeat in the last six games and the league title is back in The Poppies hands. Whilst the football might not be as free flowing as it was in the first half of the season, after a tough spell Kettering are finding a way to win football matches by battling to the three points. At this stage of the season that's not a bad habit to get into. Results now are far more important than performances. Supporters of other clubs that were very vocal on social media how Kettering had bottled it are not so vocal now after this run in the last six games. You can see the confidence returning to the players and by Saturday night The Poppies could be back on the top of the table.

Full-Time - Kettering Town 2 Alvechurch 1

Kettering Town Line-Up

1.Dan Jezeph

2.Ben Hart

3.Aaron Powell

4.Devon Kelly-Evans (Sub Sam McLintock)

5.Connor Johnson (c)

6.Alex Gudger

7.Wes York

8.Andi Thanoj

10.Terell Pennant (Sub Kyle Storer)

11.Tyree Wilson (Sub Kai Fifield)

16.Isiah Noel-Williams

Subs (not used) -  Nile Ranger, Lewis White

Att: 859

Booked: McLintock

MOTM - Isiah Noel-Williams

Poor Poppies struggle to make a point

 

Sub Wes York looks on as his late effort is superbly saved by Dan Platt

KETTERING TOWN 0 HALESOWEN TOWN 0

So another important match for Kettering Town in the Southern League Premier Division promotion race as fellow hopefuls Halesowen Town made the trip to Latimer Park. The Poppies sat In third place in the table only above The Yeltz, who sat in fourth place on goal difference. But It was far from a classic match with little real goalmouth action with both sides looking more interested in not losing than going out to gain all three points. And that was probably a good thing for Kettering who put In one of their poorest performances of the season because had Halesowen really wanted to Kettering were in truth there for the taking.

The attendance was pretty poor for a top of the table clash, just four short of 1000. Poppies poor form of late seems to have lost the 200 or so "floaters" than stuck with us after the cup run and Halesowen who normally travel well brought around 100 with them, good numbers for this league but not as many as had been expected. I have to admit I don't mind Halesowen at all, Will never forget the way they treated us when we won the league there and it's always a place you are made to feel welcome. And their supporters are always friendly whenever we meet.

Team news for Kettering, Ben Hart passed a late fitness test after he went off with a nasty looking ankle injury at Bedford but Jonny Edwards who was originally named on the substitutes bench pulled up in the warm up and was replaced by Kai Fifield. Both Sam McLintock and Kyle Storer came in for their first start for the club. We started with five central midfielders and in truth it showed all game as the lack of width was evident from the first minute of the game. In his after match interview Lav's said that a couple of our wide players (Pennant & Wilson) were not fully fit with illness/injury but myself I think a 3-5-2 formation (a formation we have played a few times this season) would have been better and given us the width we didn't have, certainly more than playing five central midfielders anyway.

On to the game itself, first half Halesowen had more of the ball without really hurting us whilst we reverted to a long ball game that saw us just keep giving the ball away. Nile Ranger, another who wasn't fully 100% with illness was struggling to hold the ball up allowing Halesowen to keep coming back at us. But the visitors only really made one clear cut chance in the half when their leading scorer Kieran Donnelly rattled the bar with a header. The best the Poppies could manage was an effort from a tight angle by Ben Hart that found the side netting when a pull back to waiting team mates was probably the better option.

Second half The Poppies were a bit better and like the first half Halesowen had a lot of the ball but didn't create much as Kettering were defending well in particular captain Connor Johnson who was rightly named man of the match and again showed why he's one of if not the best centre backs in the division. Kettering kept up the trend of giving the ball away far to much just like the first half. A winger was needed from the bench to give us width, and on 72 minutes one came on. But Wes York replaced Ranger and played as a striker!

Then as the game entered the final ten minutes both sides had wonderful chances to take all three points when both keepers were called into making their only real saves of the game, and what two saves they were. Firstly Jezeph showed superb reactions to turn the ball away from an unmarked header six yards out and as the clock hit 90 minutes Halesowen's Dan Platt somehow got a touch on Wes York's goal bound effort and tipped in onto the outside of the post.

So 0-0 was the final score, Maybe a point gained by The Poppies given how poor they were but then again was it two points lost as If you want promotion you have to win your home games and that is something Kettering have failed to do at home to Bedford, Stratford and now Halesowen. I'm sure The Yeltz were delighted with a point, In fact Platt's reaction at full-time (You would have thought his team had just won 3-0 at Anfield) backs that up. But had they really wanted to get at Kettering the three points were their for the taking.

The games don't get any easier for The Poppies with a trip to one of the divisions form sides Leiston on Saturday and defeat there would see Leiston draw level on points with Kettering. To get anything Saturday the performance will have to be much, much better. Off our recent form I unfortunately think the title is going to be beyond us and where we were at Christmas that is a disappointment but we have to try and find form to not just only secure a play-off place, but to get home advantage in them.

Kettering Town Team

1.Dan Jezeph

2.Ben Hart

3.Aaron Powell

4.Devon Kelly-Evans

5.Connor Johnson

6.Alex Gudger

8.Andi Thanoj

9.Nile Ranger (Sub Wes York 72)

14.Sam McLintock (Sub Terrell Pennant 85)

15.Kyle Storer

16.Isiah Noel-Williams   

Subs: (not used) - Tyree Wilson, Lewis White, Kai Field

Poppies Man of The Match - Connor Johnson

Att: 996

Match Preview - Kettering Town v Halesowen Town

 

Match Preview - Tuesday February 25th 2025 - Kick-Off 7.45pm

KETTERING TOWN v HALESOWEN TOWN

So it's a Tuesday night under the Latimer Park lights with the visit of Halesowen Town in an important Southern League Premier Division Fixture. The Poppies head into the game off the back of Friday night's 3-1 defeat at Bedford Town whilst The Yeltz come into match in buoyant mood having won the "Number 9" derby with local rivals Stourbridge on Saturday.

That derby day victory for Halesowen moved them level on points with Kettering but The Poppies better goal difference has them above The Yeltz and Kettering also have two games in hand. Kettering probably have a far better chance of the title than Halesowen but it's a big three points on offer for both sides. In the defeat at Bedford The Poppies were far better than the 3-1 score line suggests and have been in much improved form. But Halesowen are a good side with an excellent manager in Russell Penn and have some excellent players in their squad including 20 goal striker Kieran Donnelly, Reece Flanagan and ex Rushden & Diamonds man Connor Tee. Whilst it won't be an easy game The Poppies have the best home record in the division and don't lose many at Latimer Park

A Look at Halesowen Town

Manager: Russell Penn

Nickname: The Yeltz

Top Scorer: Kieran Donnelly (20)

Form last 5 games: W-D-L-W-L

Last 5 Away Results - L-L-D-L-L

Past Results v Halesowen

10/08/24 - Halesowen 2 (Flanagan, Manning) Kettering Town 1 (Jarvis)

16/12/23 - Halesowen Town 1 (Gregory) Kettering Town 2 (Lewthwaite, Bennett)

19/08/23 - Kettering Town 2 (Mellors-Blair, Jarvis) Halesowen Town 2 (Okafor, Manning)

13/04/19 - Halesowen Town 0 Kettering Town 1 (Hoenes)

18/08/18 - Kettering Town 2 (Kelly, Solkhon) Halesowen Town 0

Played for both The Poppies and The Yeltz

Zema Abbey, Kemy Agustien, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Dean Brennan, Nick Bussey, Darren Caskey, Iyseden Christie, Jermaine Clarke, Liam Daly, Mark Danks, Nick Eaden, Henry Eze, Callum Flanagan, George Forsyth, Lee Fowler, Exodus Geohaghon, Cameron Gregory, Paul Harding, Gary Hateley, David Heywood, Jack Kelly, Tom Kemp, Dwayne Lee, Matt Lewis, Serge Makofo, Jamie March, Mick Martin, Richard Massey, Leroy May, Liam McDonald, Michael McGrath, Stephan Morley, Jean Black, Pa Njie, Mark Osborn, Jermaine Palmer, Patrick Peter, Andy Quy, Anthony Robinson, Mick Shearer, Bryan Small, Chris Taylor, Daryl Taylor, Andre Wright, Nick Wright, Adi Yussuf

Clinical Bedford make Poppies pay

 

Former Poppy Bruno Andrade nets his and Bedford's 2nd Goal

BEDFORD TOWN 3 KETTERING TOWN 1

It was a short 50 minute trip on a Friday night for The Poppies as we headed to Bedford Town for a top of the table clash in the Southern League Premier Division Central. The Eagles topped the table with The Poppies in third place and with a far better goal difference, three points would take Kettering back to the top of the table.

Straight forward trip, Car full left Kettering at 6.15 and arrived at Bedford by 7. From the traffic around the stadium you could tell it was going to be a good attendance. Parking was difficult to find so Aaron the driver went for a grass verge on the duel carriageway by the ground. The attendance was given as 1,973 and there was easily a good 800 that made the trip from Kettering.

Lav's named the same starting XI and bench that performed so well in the 3-1 victory at Stourbridge the week before. For Bedford they had three ex Poppies in their squad, Harlain Mbayo and Bruno Andrade both started whilst Huw Dawson was on the bench. The match started at a real frantic pace and it was Bedford that started the quickest.

On six minutes Andrade picked the ball up, took a touch to take him past Ben Hart and crashed a great strike past Dan Jezeph and in off the crossbar. Just over a minute later it was two and it was Andrade again with the goal. In truth it should not have counted, the ref (Who was dreadful all game) somehow missed the most blatant of fouls on Ben Hart as the Poppies attacked, a clearance forward saw Andrade get the better of Connor Johnson and he raced through and finished well past Jezeph. Yes Kettering should have defended much better but the fact remains had the foul on Hart been given the goal would not have happened.

But the goal was given and the curse of the ex player had struck again just like it did a few weeks ago with Harry Reilly at Banbury. I have no idea where this version of Bruno Andrade came from, in his 25 appearances in a Poppies shirt he aways looked poor, uninterested and not once showed anything near what he did in the first eight minutes last night. The other former Poppy Harlain Mbayo, who I had a lot of time for when he was with us was embarrassing with his antics throughout the game. At least four times he went to ground faking injury, then as soon as the referee was having none of his antics would jump up back to his feet like a miracle had taken place. Add to that his constant surrounding of the referee he was as I say embarrassing. 

For the next 35 minutes of the first half it was all Kettering, with Bedford looking to defend in numbers and play on the break. Terrell Pennant had a couple of chances and Ben Hart saw his shot saved by Bedford keeper Jameson Horlick. But the two best chances for Kettering came when first Alex Gudger headed across the box to Isiah Noel-Williams who from 8 yards out hit his effort into the ground and the ball went over. Nile Ranger then had a great chance when the ball fell to him 12 yards out but his effort went wide, In Rangers defence he was clattered from behind whilst shooting, I've seen penalties given for less.

So half-time came and Kettering went off 2-0 down but knowing they had played well and were still very much in the game. 

At half-time Sam McLintock came on for the ineffective Pennant and the Poppies looked like they were coming out all guns blazing. But just four minutes into the second half Kettering lost possession cheaply in midfield and Leon Lobjoit was played in and he finished neatly past Jezeph and all but make the points Bedford's.

Kettering still carried on attacking, McLintock seemed to be everywhere and it was from his neat pass that on 57 minutes Devon Kelly-Evans picked the ball up and finished well past Horlick to give Kettering some hope. McLintock fired just wide and Ben Hart saw his free-kick saved by Horlick. With The Poppies now pushing forward Bedford were playing on the break and came close to adding a fourth when Ryan Blake curled a 20 yard strike past Jezeph but the ball crashed back off the crossbar.

On 77 minutes the home side were reduced to ten men when the clumsy Carl Mensah picked up his second booking for bringing down sub Jonny Edwards on the edge of the area.  The resulting free-kick deflected wide off the wall then McLintock sent another good chance wide.

For the final 15 minutes (10 of which were added on) the Poppies laid siege on the Bedford goal but the ten men to their credit defended well. Ranger sent a header from a Wes York cross over the bar before Horlick saved well from Alex Gudger and Kyle Storer.

The full-time whistle was blown and whilst 3-1 sounds a comfortable victory for Bedford it really wasn't. The Poppies have played much worse this season and won games. Bedford were simply far more clinical with their chances whilst Kettering seemed to slash at theirs. Tuesday night at home to Halesowen now becomes a really important game (If it wasn't already) as it is vital Kettering don't fall to far behind Bedford and Telford.

KETTERING TEAM

1.Dan Jezeph

2.Ben Hart (Sub Wes York)

3.Aaron Powell (Sub Kyle Storer)

4.Devon Kelly-Evans

5.Connor Johnson (c)

6.Alex Gudger

8.Andi Thanoj

9.Nile Ranger

10.Terrel Pennant (Sub Sam McLintock)

11.Tyree Wilson

16.Isiah Noel-Williams (Sub Jonny Edwards)

Sub: (not used) - Lewis White

Att: 1973 (800 from Kettering)

#UTP KTFC Man of the match - Sam McLintock

 

Gary Stohrer - Goodbye, Good Luck and Thank-You!!

 

After over 250 appearances Gary Stohrer has left The Poppies

Well tonight has seen popular midfielder Gary Stohrer leave Latimer Park. Gary posted in his usual dignified manner on his Social media he had left the club with The Poppies releasing their own statement soon after.

The word legend sometimes gets banded about to often for footballers but not for Gary because he is and always will be a legend at Kettering Town FC. Signed in July 2017 from Frickley Athletic by Marcus Law Gaz made his debut on the opening day of the 2017/18 season in a 2-1 victory away to Slough Town. Gary would go on to make another 252 appearances in a Poppies shirt and it would have been many more but for an injury that saw him miss almost 11 months of 2024.

Gary was part of the Kettering squad than won the Southern League Premier Division central league title in 2019 and was also part of the squad that just missed out on the play-offs of the National League North on the final day of the 2021/22 season. He was also part of the squad that was relegated back to the Southern League in 2023 and despite offers from other clubs he remained loyal to The Poppies and remained at Latimer Park.

In all of his 253 games Gary never once gave anything less than 100% and that was what made his so popular on the terraces. That and the fact he was just a top bloke, always had time for a chat or a picture with fans and just someone you could tell was genuinely proud to pull on that red shirt. 

Unfortunately at times though football moves on, And it seems that time has come. Gary is in his 30's now and I'm sure he will be wanting to play football every week and that was possibly something Richard Lavery could not promise him. But I doubt for a second it was an easy conversation for Lav's to have as players and people like Gary Stohrer don't come along very often.

I am sure I speak for every single Kettering Town supporter when I say thank you Gary, and good luck with wherever your career takes you next. Whoever you do move on to are getting a fine player and an even better bloke.

So to the "Northants Pirlo" Don't be a stranger, you will be welcome back at Latimer Park anytime 

A year with Lavs

 

Richard Lavery and Tom Cherry arrived at Latimer Park a year ago today

Today marks a year since Richard Lavery took charge of his first match as manager of Kettering Town. Lavs and his assistant Tom Cherry oversaw their first match in charge in a 0-0 draw at Latimer Park versus Leamington.

When Lavery arrived from Quorn just the day before the Leamington fixture The Poppies were deep inside a relegation battle and a second successive relegation looked a real possibility. But from that first game Lav's seem to install a much needed togetherness and high work rate into the squad. The management team steered Kettering well away from the relegation zone and finishing the season in 15th place.

Lav's basically rebuilt the whole Kettering squad in the summer and has turned The Poppies into genuine title contenders as a year to the day since he took over his side sit 3rd in the Southern League Premier Division central table, three points behind leaders Bedford Town but with four games in hand over The Eagles and games in hand on all the other teams in the top ten places in the division.

Here is a look at the first team Lavery picked on the 17th February 2024 v Leamington 

Dan Jezeph

Harry Reilly

Lewis White

Kelvin Langmead

Lathaniel Rowe-Turner

Rhys Sharpe

Dan Jarvis

Huw Dawson

George Forsyth

Michael Reindorf Jnr

Bruno Andrade

Subs: Luca Miller, Ben Toseland, Tom Scott, Jack Degruchy, Kobe Chong

Richard Lavery's record in his first year as Poppies Boss (All Comps)

Played - 48

Won - 27

Drawn - 8

Lost - 13

Goals For - 80

Goals Against - 52

Win Percentage - 64.58%

Poppies impress in win at Stourbridge

 

Devon Kelly-Evans battles for the ball

STOURBRIDGE 1 KETTERING TOWN 2

So after last week's much improved performance in the home victory over Barwell it was a trip up to Stourbridge for a game against an in form side who if they defeated The Poppies would sit only two points behind us in the league table. As good as last weekend's performance was you didn't want to get to carried away and shout that Kettering are back as it was against a Barwell side who were on a dreadful run of form. This game against a Stourbridge side who had won four of their previous five games would be a much tougher test.

So a car full off us set off for the trip to the Black County, the weather was rubbish with it raining all the way up the motorway. We arrived in Stourbridge around 2.20pm and got into the stadium in time for a quick drink before kick-off. Now I don't know if you have ever been to Stourbridge before but it's not the greatest of grounds. Only three sided (The 4th side is the town's cricket ground) it looks very tired and ran down. One side of the ground where the dug outs are situated has half the covered terrace closed off because in the words of a Stourbridge official "It could fall down at any minute" so changing ends involved a long walk around the adjacent cricket field. When you got to the covered terrace behind the goal half of that was closed off to for safety issues! 

Unsurprisingly Lavs went with the same starting XI as the one that defeated Barwell. The only changes were on the bench where new signings Kyle Storer from AFC Telford United and Sam McLintock from Rushall Olympic replaced Luca Miller and Gary Stohrer. Both Luca and Gary have left to get some much needed minutes with Luca joining St Ives Town on a months loan and Gary heading to Wellingborough Town on duel registration.

The game kicked-off on a very heavy pitch that began cutting up straight from kick-off. The Poppies were playing the much better football with wingers Wilson and Pennant both looking a threat and Devon Kelly-Evans and Isiah Noel-Williams winning the midfield battle with their energy. The first clear cut chance went to Stourbridge when Ethan Freemantle spooned an effort over the bar from ten yards after the Poppies had failed to clear a long throw. 

On 28 minutes Poppies took the lead and it came from a lovely move. Good play out wide by both Ty Wilson and Ben Hart saw Harty deliver one of his trademark crosses that Nile Ranger headed goalward and Stourbridge keeper Lewys Benjamin could only parry out as far as Noel-Williams and Isiah buried the rebound into the roof of the net. Kettering looked the more likely to score again, winning a number of corners and the closest Stourbridge came to scoring was from a miss hit cross that came off the top of Dan Jezeph's cross bar. So we went in at the break a goal to the good.

At half-time most of the Poppies fans used the Cricket Club's bar for their half-time refreshments and we were all made really welcome. Big shout out to the Pork Pie's on sale in there, One of the best pork pies I've ever had I reckon. Simon Powell definitely approved as he went back for a second. Also there was an elderly local gent in there that was telling us the red seats in the Football Club's main stand had come from the old main stand at Rockingham Road!

So the second half started with The Poppies now attacking the covered terracing behind the top goal and most the Kettering fans (A good 200 +) had gathered there to watch the half. And what we all saw was probably one of the best and most complete 45 minute performances from us this season. Just four minutes into the half the lead was doubled when Terrell Pennant was 20 yards out on the left of the Stourbridge penalty area and he curled a superb effort into the top corner that Benjamin in the Stourbridge goal didn't move a muscle for.

Stourbridge then just began to go direct but Connor Johnson and Alex Gudger (who was excellent again) won everything at the back and the home side only really had an ambitious over head kick from Freemantle that went way over the crossbar to show for their efforts. Poppies came so close to a third when sub Wes York crossed for Nile Ranger to thump a header goalward that Benjamin some how managed to push onto the crossbar. Soon after Nile was replaced by Jonny Edwards and Jonny will be disappointed that come full-time he wasn't taking the match ball home with him.

In his 20 minutes spell he slotted home an 82nd minute penalty to put The Poppies 3-0 in front after Benjamin had brought down Devon Kelly-Evans, Edwards then in the 86th minute following superb play from debutant sub Sam McLintock managed to blast over the bar from 6 yards out and in the 94th minute he escaped the Stourbridge defence, rounded Benjamin and as it looked like he was rolling in the 4th Poppies goal Blaine Rowe made a superb goal saving clearance on the line for the home side.

Sandwiched in between the two Edwards efforts Stourbridge pulled a goal back when a free-kick into the box looked to be claimed by Jezeph but despite a clear foul on the Poppies keeper the referee never blew and Richard Batchelor rolled home a mere conciliation for the hosts.

The full-time whistle blew and it was an excellent win, an excellent performance and an excellent three points. It was hard to pick out a single player that didn't have a good game, even the two new lads Storer and McLintock looked good in their second half appearances, even if McLintock might count himself lucky he wasn't sent off for a very late tackle close to full-time.

Is it still to early to say Kettering are back?, who knows but if we can repeat performances like Saturday's on a regular basis then the title is very much achievable. There are some big fixtures coming up, starting this coming Friday with the short trip to Bedford Town. There is sure to be a big away following and The Poppies will know victory at The New Eyrie will take them back to the top of the table for a day at least.

Kettering Team: Jezeph, Hart, A.Powell, Kelly-Evans, Johnson, Gudger, Noel-Williams, Thanoj (sub Storer), Ranger (sub Edwards), Pennant (sub York), Wilson (sub McLintock)

Sub (not used): White

Bookings: Noel-Williams, Jezeph, McLintock, Edwards

Att: 912 (Kettering fans around 225)

#UTP Man of the match: Isiah Noel-Williams

 

Poppies add two ahead of Stourbridge trip

 

  

Poppies boss Richard Lavery has today added to his midfield with the double signing of Kyle Storer and Sam McLintock. 

Storer is a vastly experienced ball wining midfielder who joins from league rivals AFC Telford United. A former team mate of Richard Lavery he lists Tamworth, Nuneaton Borough, Kidderminster Harriers, Wrexham, Cheltenham Town and Solihull Moors as his previous clubs. He has won league titles with both Cheltenham and Nuneaton as his experience will be a definite help to the Poppies promotion push.

McLintock is a 24 year old wide midfielder who arrives at Latimer Park from National League North side Rushall Olympic. Beginning his career with Coleshill Town his performances soon attracted Alvechurch where he moved to and continued to impress. His superb performances continued and soon National League side FC Halifax Town took him to The Shay. On his departure form Halifax he had a brief spell at AFC Telford United before former Poppies manager Ian Culverhouse took him to Boston United. He played 44 times for The Pilgrims before leaving in November 2023 to join Rushall Olympic who he left earlier this week.  

 

Old boy Harry comes back to haunt Poppies

BANBURY UNITED 1 KETTERING TOWN 0

Poppies push for a late equaliser at Banbury

So it was a relatively short trip to Banbury on Tuesday night as The Poppies looked to build on Saturday's late, late win at Sudbury and gain another three points to get our promotion push back on track. Unfortunately it turned out to be another below par performance from Kettering as ex Poppy Harry Reilly scored a 19th minute goal to send his former employees back home pointless in a game that over all was pretty low on quality from both sides.

For some unknown reason Banbury had taken the decision to make the fixture all ticket for away fans only. Segregation was in place and when we arrived we found out we were housed in the corner section of the Town end as opposed to having the whole Kings Sutton end like on our last visit to the Spencer Stadium.

Team news was in and it appeared that manager Richard Lavery and important midfield man Isiah Noel-Williams had patched up their rumoured fall out that saw Noel-Williams left out of Saturday's squad that travelled to Sudbury as Isiah came back into the staring XI. Captain Connor Johnson returned from suspension, Kai Fifield came in for Wes York and their was a first start for ex Premier league striker Marvin Sordell who was bizarrely played as a holding midfielder. Injury and illness ruled out Devon Kelly-Evans, Andi Thanoj and Callum Powell three players who if fit would walk into every other team in the division.

Banbury had four ex Kettering players in their starting XI. Harry Reilly and Gedeon Okito lined up in the full-back positions, George Forsyth who was a popular player at Latimer Park over his two spells with the Poppies began in midfield and Dan Jarvis who five weeks ago was still a Kettering player began out wide on the left.

The match kicked off and was pretty low on entertainment in fact the best entertainment came from the small group of around ten Banbury fans aged between 14 and 18, who all thought they were Danny Dyer whilst dressed as extra's from Green Street. I can't think of anything less intimidating than a bunch of teenagers shouting nasty things at you from 15 yards away behind two metal fences but there we go.

Then on 19 minutes came the games only real moment of quality and you guessed it a former player provided it. A long throw wasn't cleared effectively by Kettering and the ball dropped to Harry Reilly who struck a low half volley that flew into the bottom corner past a static Dan Jezeph. I don't think Reilly ever showed anything like that quality in his spell at Latimer Park. Originally from my poor view from the away end I had thought it was a miss hit from Reilly. Having seen the replays you have to say it was a fine strike.

In fact he could have had a second goal had Aaron Powell not cleared his shot off the line later in the first half. Other than that there wasn't really anything else in terms of scoring chances. Poppies fizzed a few crosses into the box and Banbury defender Yaw Ofuso blocked well from Fifield. Ofuso was very lucky to still be on the pitch if the truth is told after Noel-Williams broke away and bared down on Banbury keeper Jack Harding, Ofuso cleaned him out and with no covering defenders a red card seemed the only outcome but the referee opted for just a yellow. Connor Johnson picked up his usual booking he gets most games with a firm tackle on Jarvis, that's all it was a hard and firm tackle that didn't really warrant the Banbury players surrounding the ref asking for a red.

At half-time Saturday's goal hero Terell Pennant replaced Tyree Wilson and soon after the re-start Wes York came on for the ineffective Kai Fifield. Jezeph had to be alert to make a good save with his foot so Banbury didn't extend their lead, Poppies had pretty much all the possession second half on a pitch that  was beginning to cut up. But like the first half no real clear cut chances were created, just a few near moments.

The normal time wasting antics began from Banbury, they picked up a couple of booking for it along the way. But all teams do it whilst looking to protect a lead so you can't really complain to much about it even with how frustrating it is when it's against your team.

So the final whistle blew and it was a fourth defeat in the last six games for The Poppies. Defensively we looked solid enough. Bar the goal and the save with his foot Jezeph wasn't really troubled. CJ and Gudger look like they might make a good partnership. Sordell in midfield was simply an experiment that didn't work and going forward we lacked creativity. Jonny Edwards is a quality striker at this level, but he does seem to be short on confidence at the moment, how ever in his defence he's not really been getting he service these past few games that he was previously.

Anyway, we made it back to the car thankfully without bumping into the Danny Dyer clones who had been telling us all game they would "See us outside" you can't imagine the relief they didn't follow through those threats (No really it was very scary, honest.....) and to find out both Telford and Bedford had dropped points. Does anyone actually want to win this league?, Oh well out of form Barwell at Latimer Park on Saturday, what possibly could go wrong?  

Kettering Team: Jezeph, Hart, Powell, Sordell, Johnson, Gudger, Fifield (Sub York), Stohrer (Sub Miller), Edwards (Sub Ranger), Noel-Williams, Wilson (Sub Pennant)

Sub (not used): White

Booking: Johnson

Att: 602 (Roughly 150 from Kettering)

#UTP Man Of The Match: Connor Johnson

 

Ex Poppy Harry Reilly watches as his 19th minute strike finds the next for Banbury's winner

 

Errors cost Poppies dear in Redditch defeat

 

 REDDITCH UNITED 3 KETTERING TOWN 2

So on Saturday Kettering Town were finally back in action following a two week enforced break when they made the trip to Redditch United. I made the trip up courtesy of a lift from Poppies left-back Aaron Powell's dad Simon (A top bloke by the way) and on route I was trying to explain what an afternoon at Redditch United is like. I could have lied and told him It's a wonderful little football club with really warm and welcoming fans. But I thought I'd tell the truth, that it's a horrible place with equally horrible supporters and a ground where on previous visits there has been plenty of unsavoury incidents.  

For the first time in many visits to Redditch the game was segregated. We were housed behind one of the goals and along the side to the tunnel. Only downside to that was the almost 15 minute walk from the main Car Park to the away turnstiles on Cedar Road. Would probably been nice if the guy taking the £3 for parking had explained that so you could have told him to keep his car park and just drive round and park on the street next to the away end. Anyway we found our way in, would say there was 200+ from Kettering that made the trip up and was probably a good job at the home sections of the stadium were looking very sparce.

Team news came in and thankfully captain Connor Johnson was back in after injury, as was Andi Thanoj for the first time since he limped off injured against Doncaster six weeks ago. Isiah Noel-Williams came back into the starting XI and Jonny Edwards replace Nile Ranger up front. Kai Fifield was originally due to start the game but he picked up an injury in the warm up and was replaced by Tyree Wilson.

For the first half we were pretty much on top through out. Having all of the ball and playing some neat football. Our first real sight of goal came when Ben Hart ran a good 15 yards unchallenged but from around 20 yards he sent his shot well over the bar. The next attack saw us come even closer when Devon Kelly-Evans crossed and Jonny Edwards saw his header from twelve yards well pushed over the bar by Redditch keeper Ollie Taylor. Neat play between Hart and Noel-Williams ended with Kelly-Evans shooting wildly over when well placed.

Callum Powell then had a shot that was deflected just over the bar before Tyree Wilson forced Taylor into another fine save with a shot that looked destined for the top corner. By now many Poppies fans were at a loss as to how we were not at least two goals ahead then in the last minute of the half we were hit with a sucker punch when Redditch scored with their first real chance of the game. Callum Powell gave the ball away on the half-way line to the one Redditch player with any quality Johnny Johnston and he race away from Powell before side stepping Lewis White and finding the bottom corner past Jezeph with a neat finish, It was a good goal from a player who on the afternoon did show why this was his last game for Redditch before he transferred to a full-time club.

So despite being by far the better side and making many chances we somehow went in at the break a goal down.

The second half saw The Poppies come out all guns blazing and by the 50th minute we were 2-1 in front. First of all following some neat one touch football Ty Wilson pulled the ball back to Kelly-Evans to side foot his first goal for the club past Taylor. Then barely sixty seconds later Callum Powell picked the ball up on the left, took the ball to the edge of the area and found Noel-Williams in space and he poked home a neat finish to put The Poppies ahead.

But that lead didn't last long, and again the goal Redditch scored came from a Kettering error rather than any good play from the home side. A aimless punt into the box saw Dan Jezeph shout to come and claim the ball but under pressure from ex Poppies striker Adi Yussuf he dropped the ball at the feet of Johnston and he rolled the ball into the net past a stranded Ben Hart on the goal line.

Right from the restart Kettering should have retaken the lead. Wilson did well out wide a put over a wonderful cross that Callum Powell and Jonny Edwards seemed to get in each others way and the ball just brushed out Powell's head and out for a goal kick. Another great chance again went begging for Kettering when the ball found Wilson unmarked but from eight yards out he dragged his effort wide of the goal.

But on 80 minutes the missed chances really did come back and haunt Kettering as Redditch again capitalised on more Kettering errors to take an 80th minute lead. A corner from the left was delivered deep to the far post very close to the goal line, again Jezeph failed to collect and with players ball watching Redditch captain Kyle Rowley saw his header sneak in the bottom corner. So somehow rather than being in front Kettering were now 3-2 behind.

For the remainder of the game it just became Kettering's attack verses Redditch's defence. Sub Nile Ranger found fellow sub Terrell Pennant and Pennant's low shot was superbly saved by Taylor and as the ball rolled out to Ranger his effort was somehow blocked from almost on the goal line by Ryan Inman. Taylor then made another fantastic save from a low effort from Noel-Williams and he was again the hero when he made another smart save at his near post from Pennant.

The final whistle went seconds later and we had lost the game. Unfortunately at full-time a few Redditch fans wanted to turn all Football Factory at the segregation fence but they soon moved away (well ran really) when the fence ended up being pushed over. Then some Redditch players seemed to want to get more involved with Kettering supporters than celebrate their victory. Strange behaviour really. 

But despite playing the better football throughout and created many chances we somehow lost the game. Football is about putting the ball in the net and Redditch did that better on the day. But it's such a blow when you lose to a side that have created nothing against you but you gift them three goals. We are having a real blip at the moment and it seems everything is going against us. A few weeks ago we would have come away from that game with a comfortable victory, but every mistake at the moment is being punished.

But everyone needs to stick together. I read some real over reactions on the socials after the game. We have not turned into a bad team overnight and I've every confidence that Lavs and Tom will turn this around and we will definitely be there or there abouts when it comes to winning the league. Just got to keep the faith and back the lads starting at home to Bromsgrove on Saturday.

Kettering Team: Jezeph, Hart, A.Powell, Kelly-Evans, Johnson, White, C,Powell (Sub Pennant), Thanoj, Edwards (Sub Ranger), Noel-Williams, Wilson

Subs (not used) - Miller, Mbayo, York

Att: 521

#UTP MOTM - Devon Kelly-Evans

Poppies sign exciting winger Pennant

Terell Pennant has joined KTFC

 

Ahead of Kettering Town's New Years Day clash away at Harborough Town Poppies manager Richard Lavery has added exciting forward Terell Pennant to his squad. 22 year old Pennant, who is the nephew of the former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant arrives at Latimer Park from National League North side Rushall Olympic where he has been a regular in their side.

Terell began his carer with Leicester City starting in The Foxes under 18's side then progressing up to the Under 23's at The King Power Stadium. He made 3 appearances for Leicester in the EFL Trophy and was a regular in the U23's team that played in the Premier League International Cup and Premier League Two.

In the summer of 2023 Terell was released by Leicester and signed for Coalville Town where he played alongside current Poppies Ben Hart, Andi Thanoj and Wes York. He made a massive impact with Coalville scoring 10 goals in 34 games and was named Coalville supporters player of the year.

In July 2024, Tyrell moved to Rushall Olympic and quickly became a fans favourite with his skill, pace and work rate. He made 18 appearances for The Pics, scoring twice. At home on either wing, as a number 10 or as an out and out striker he will add quality to an already impressive attack at Latimer Park.

Poppies boss Lavery told the clubs website "I have been after Terell for a little while now, and I am delighted he is joining us. He will give us that extra special creativity and adds a different dynamic to the squad. I am sure he will become a fans favourite as we go into the new year with a huge incentive, promotion, I am sure you will all give him a huge welcome"

Match Preview - Harborough Town (A)

 

Will Nile Ranger return to the starting line up at Harborough?

HARBOROUGH TOWN v KETTERING TOWN

Richard Lavery will be hoping his team can improve on Saturday's defensive horror show at Stratford Town when they make the short trip along the A6 to face Harborough Town on New Year's Day.

The Poppies would have viewed it as two points dropped in the 3-3 draw at Stratford. Playing against ten men for 60 minutes, leading twice and missing a first half penalty to come away with just a draw would not have pleased the Kettering manager. But at this time of the year the games come thick and fast and the next challenge for Kettering's promotion push is a first ever trip to Bowden Park for a competitive fixture against struggling Harborough Town.

The match is a local derby in the sense the two clubs are only eighteen miles apart but it doesn't really have the rival feeling to it most derby games have. That is probably mainly because the two sides only have one previous competitive fixture between them, the 1-1 draw at Latimer Park back on August Bank Holiday Monday.

But you do have to say the rise Harborough have gone through the past 4-5 years is a very impressive one and one their manager, former Poppies assistant manager Mitch Austin deserves credit for. I am sure Mitch would have been hoping for a far better league campaign than The Bees are having but of course they had their historic FA Cup run that ended in a brave defeat at Reading. Harborough have to much quality in their side to go down and I'm sure by the end of the season they will have comfortably stayed in the division.

As with games where two clubs are close to each other geographically there are a number of links between the two clubs. As well as an ex Poppy as their manager Harborough's squad includes ex Kettering players Liam Dolman, Connor Kennedy, Joel Carta, Gary Mulligan, Paul Malone, Ben Stephens and Jordon Crawford. And older Poppies fans will remember Owen Wright, a pacy winger at Rockingham Road in the early 90's well he's on The Bees coaching staff to. The Poppies have former Harborough Town loanee Luca Miller in their squad, Luca made a big impression last season in Harborough's promotion winning side.

Those ex Poppies in the Harborough coaching staff and squad would love nothing more than to put a dent in the Poppies promotion push and they will be bang up for this one and like most sides have done against Kettering this season will raise their game. If football was a simple game then Kettering would win this game, they are the better side with better players but football isn't a simple game that's why we all love it. Like any Mitch Austin side Harborough will be big, strong and well organised and play with a lot of pride and passion. Just football ability alone won't win Kettering this game they are going to have to match Harborough for determination to, If they don't they will come unstuck and in Ben Stephens they have a player who can win any game, it won't be easy.

But The Poppies should be confident, yes the draw at Stratford was a disappointment but they have only lost one league game in the last fifteen and that was to a 94th minute penalty at Barwell. It is hoped midfield playmaker Andi Thanoj should be back for this game. He's the one player that really makes the Poppies tick and has that bit of quality to unlock a tight defence. And as we all know an attack with Nile Ranger, Jonny Edwards, Callum Powell, Wes York and Ty Wilson is one that is guarantied goals. Kai Fifield to looking more like the Kai Fifield before he got his injury earlier in the season.

The defence will need to be switched on, they will be bombarded with long balls, long free-kicks and throws into the box and must deal with that. The defence has maybe been a bit shaky but they have (for me) the best central defender in the division in Connor Johnson and the second best defensive record in the division so they must have something about them.

Kettering have 4 points already on the board from the first two games of the festive season, If they can add 4/6 to that from the next two games (Harborough and Halesowen) then a return of 8/10 points from those games will be a good return going into second half of the season. The only downside is there will only be 400 Poppies fans there to back the lads, there was around 500 at Stratford on Saturday from Kettering and I am sure if things allowed it to happen there would be close to 1000 from Kettering at Harborough. Many regulars (myself included) are sitting this game out but I'm sure the 400 that are there will add to the atmosphere.

Former Poppies skipper Connor Kennedy will be in the Harborough squad

Harborough Town's last 5 league results

Leiston (H) - W.4-0

Barwell (A) - D.2-2

Alvechurch (H) - L.0-1

Biggleswade Town (A) - W.3-2

St Ives Town (A) - L.1-4

Top league goal scorer - Ben Stephens 10

Last Time we met.....

Monday August 26th 2024 - Latimer Park

Kettering Town 1 (Johnson 39)

Harborough Town 1 (Daire 90)

Att: 1596

*One to Watch*

Another ex Poppy Ben Stephens is the real big threat in the Harborough team. A very good performer at this level and above over the past few seasons Stephens already has 14 goals this season and will want to add to that tally. Had two separate spells at Latimer Park under Marcus Law and then Paul Cox and many Poppies fans think he was never really given a far chance by either manager