Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL: It was heartache for all involved with Kettering Town FC today at Dorchester. Having blown away their hosts 4-1, the result came through from Leamington that that game had ended at 0-0 and the Poppies had missed the play-offs by one point. The game itself at the Greene King Community Stadium saw first half goals from Ben Stephens, James Brighton and Rene Howe give Kettering a 3-1 lead as Toby Holmes replied for Dorchester. The Magpies also suffered a red card on 34 minutes when Franklyn Clarke was dismissed. Brett Solkhon added a fourth goal ten minutes from time to cement the win.

THE SQUAD: It was the same squad as last Thursday evening as all the injured players remained sidelined and the selected squad was also carrying a few knocks.

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: Kettering kicked-off with the breeze at their backs with a good away support giving immediate vocal support.

The Poppies started well and Silvano Obeng threatened in the first minute but keeper Alan Walker-Harris gathered the ball. Rene Howe's 4th minute right foot curler was just wide of the right post.

A minute later Kettering went one up. The ball was worked through well and found Ben Stephens in space on the right. His low cross was helped over the line at the near post by a defender. Liam Bateman's 8th minute free kick was headed behind by Howe. 

Dorchester's first threat on 12 minutes came from a Brett Solkhon error- but Chris Carruthers tidied up well.

It was 2-0 on 15 minutes. Kettering won a free kick on the right about 45 yards out. James Brighton's curling free kick, essentially a cross, evaded everyone with Walker-Harris beaten to his right.

Immediately the Magpies struck back. Craig Hill got down to his right to parry a low shot and Toby Holmes stole in to neatly tuck in the loose ball.

Dorchester had another chance on 18 minutes, but Hill was in the right place to save the header from a corner.

Kettering kept coming forward with Ben Stephens finding a lot of space and he set up Liam Canavan, whose left foot shot hit the top of the bar.

After 27 minutes, Wilson Carvalho's shot was saved by Walker-Harris, albeit that Obeng had been flattened in the penalty area in the build up.

Stephens then set up a third goal for Kettering in the 29th minute. On the left he cleverly beat Oakley Hanger and his cross was on a plate for Rene Howe to roll the ball in.

On 34 minutes there was a red card for the Magpies defender, Franklyn Clarke. Fouled by Stephens, who seemed all over the pitch, he was then goaded by Stephens. Raising an arm Clarke shoved Stephens on the side of the face and the Referee issued a red card. It was harsh.

Stephens then set up Obeng and a great turn saw his shot just clear the bar. Canavan then forced a good save from the keeper with a low shot and, from the corner, Canavan's header glanced just past the post.

Finally, Walker- Harris made a good save from Stephens as Kettering went in 3-1 to the good.

Half Time: Dorchester Town 1 - 3 Kettering Town

Dorchester made substitutions at the break and changed formation to just three at the back with player-manager Mark Jermyn on in midfield. It seemed to work as the Magpies began to look far more lively, albeit with only 10 men.

Jermyn put a shot wide and then forced Hill to peddle back and the keeper just touched over the chip.

Chris Carruthers then cleared a Bradley Tarbuck shot away from the line and Dorchester looked the more likely to score at this stage.

Obeng, who had been carrying an injury was replaced by Will Grocott.

Dorchester were still up for it and Chris Dillon met a corner with a firm header 8 yards out- but put it wide.

Kettering had to bring on Ben Baker for the limping Stephens and then Perry Cotton for the injured Bateman.

The game was finally wrapped up in the 80th minute as Brighton's corner from the right was expertly guided in by Brett Solkhon's trademark header. Ben Baker had a great chance to make it five in the final minute of added time but fired wide from 16 yards.

Then came the news from Leamington, as the fans applauded the team and management off the pitch.

Full Time:

Dorchester Town 1 - 4 Kettering Town

Attendance: 507 (Poppies fans estimated at 150)

Poppies Man of the Match: The whole squad.

Team Starting line-ups:

Dorchester Town: Alan Walker-Harris;Oakley Hanger (Mark Jermyn,46);Neil Martin;Franklyn Clarke;Henry Lander;Chris Dillon;Charlie Davis;Luke Holmes (Ben Watson,46);Nathan Walker( Captain);Toby Holmes (Jason Brookes,79);Bradley Tarbuck. Subs Unused: Ben Walker;Simon Profitt.

Kettering: Craig Hill;Liam Bateman (Perry Cotton 74);James Brighton;Brett Solkhon (Captain);Chris Carruthers;Herve Pepe-N'Goma;Wilson Carvalho;Liam Canavan ;Rene Howe; Silvano Obeng (Will Grocott 57);Ben Stephens (Ben Baker,69)

Subs Unused: Ben Bradshaw;David Popa

Yellow cards: Dorchester: Martin,83.

Kettering: Brighton,77.

Red Card:

Dorchester: Clarke,34.