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Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL: The Poppies bounced back from Saturday’s defeat with a good win tonight at Slough. Kettering were two up after 34 minutes though Rene Howe and Spencer Weir-Daley with Nathan Webb pulling a goal back on 36 minutes. Wilson Carvalho scored on the stroke of half time to restore the two goal lead. The visitors managed the second half well to run out comfortable winners with no further goals. THE KETTERING SQUAD: Paul Walker replaced Craig Hill in goal. With Liam Bateman, James Brighton out and Liam Canavan carrying an injury, in came loan signing Perry Cotton at right back, and Ben Stephens started. HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: The game was only seconds old as Spencer Weir-Daley was played in on goal, but his control let him down and the ball was cleared. It was clear early on that Slough were going to use pressure in the six yard box from set pieces and Paul Walker dealt well with a 6th minute inswinging corner. Kettering took the lead in the 7th minute. Wilson Carvalho crossed from the left and Weir-Daley’s contact came off a defender, giving Rene Howe a straightforward finish. Slough forced a few corners and on 12 minutes, Dan Hicks headed a clear chance wide and in the next minute headed another corner over the bar. Walker then did well to palm away a deep cross from the right from under the bar. Carvalho was giving Sean Fraser a tough time on the left and his 19th minute shot was well saved. Two minutes later another good Kettering move saw another Carvalho shot saved. The next threat on 29 minutes saw Carvalho again advance past the defence and with keeper,Mark Scott exposed, his defence made a good interception and clearance. Warren Harris forced Walker to make his first real save in the 32nd minute and the keeper got down well to hold. It was 2-0 to Kettering on 34 minutes. Will Grocott’s free kick from the left was deep to the far post. Brett Solkhon headed across goal, and although Weir-Daley’s first effort was saved by Scott, the striker bundled in the rebound. The Rebels response was immediate. Ben Stephens was caught in midfield, allowing a quick break and Nathan Webb fired a firm shot high past the helpless Walker. Lee Barney could have equalised as a Kettering clearance bounced off a Kettering player to him in the six yard box- but he hooked the ball over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Barney had the ball in the net- but was offside. Kettering restored their two goal lead in the final minute of the half as a nice move down the right saw Howe set upWeir-Daley for a cross, which was met by a firm low finish by Carvalho. The second half started slowly with Kettering seemingly content to sit on their lead.However, it was the visitors who had the first effort when Stephens showed some quick feet- but his shot was straight at Scott. There was a let off for Kettering on 58 minutes. Lewis Putman, who had been well marked by Perry Cotton, pounced on a loose ball and drilled it into the bottom of the net from 20 yards. The Assistant’s flag was up for an offside which the Referee upheld. It was one of those decisions you don’t see too often these days. Both sides used their full allocation of substitutes. Home substitute, Scott Harris’ first touch was to head just wide from a free kick. Kettering did look firmly in control though and Slough were being thwarted by some confident defending. Poppies substitute, Ben Baker, broke on the right and his pass across goal to Weir-Daley was struck just to hard. A lot of the play in the final 20 minutes was in the middle of the park, which suited Kettering but frustrated Slough. The Poppies had the better chance in the final minutes as Howe and Baker combined to set up Weir-Daley but the shot was deflected wide. It was a good all round performance securing another win. Kettering have a home fixture next Saturday against Cirencester (3pm) Full Time: Slough Town 1 - 3 Kettering Town Attendance: 294 (Away fans estimated at 65) Poppies man of the match: Gary Mulligan