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| 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
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