Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL: Kettering went a goal down after 14 minutes and were a little fortunate not to concede again before half time. A spirited second half performance,however, failed to register any goals. Home experienced defenders, Mat Mitchell-King and Darren Purse were very solid. Neutrals at the game and the opposition commented post match that we deserved something – but it’s goals that count.

THE KETTERING SQUAD: With none of the injured squad reporting fit- it was the same starting line up as last Saturday. Ben Baker and new signing Matthew Barnes-Homer came onto the bench replacing Jamie McAlindon and Steve Kinniburgh.

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: The early exchanges were harmless with Dom Langdon’s 3rd minute cross cleared and Bruce Wilson’s cross at the other end was also dealt with. The Generals first corner after 9 minutes was well cleared and 4 minutes later James Brighton was set up by Rene Howe and Liam Canavan,but the shot was blocked. A minute later Chesham scored. A move down the right saw the cross find Brad Wadkins completely unmarked 10 yards out and his header gave Dean Snedker no chance. Snedker then made a sharp diving save from Dave Pearce. Home keeper,Ashlee Jones then made a very good save pushing a James Brighton shot marginally wide. The Poppies were taking the game to Chesham and Wilson Carvalho’s cross from the right was well defended for a corner. A flowing move in the 26th minute saw Aaron O’Connor set Brighton free down the left and with the cross to the far post just behind Rene Howe, his overhead kick was just wide of the post. Chesham responded and Langdon’s diving header cleared a cross for a harmless corner. A limping Brett Solkhon was replaced by Ben Stephens after 28 minutes requiring the attacking flair of Brighton to be restricted as he went to left back. Almost immediately a Kettering corner saw Langdon’s header cleared off the line. A couple of minutes later, it was Kettering’s James Haran who cleared from the line after his mistake had allowed Wadkins to round Snedker. Another Kettering corner on 37 minutes saw Langdon head wide at the near post. The Poppies were indebted to keeper,Snedker, before the break as he saved well from Pearce and Mitchel-King Half Time: Chesham United 1 - 0 Kettering Town The first 15 minutes of the second half reflected the first 45 minutes with end to end stuff – but the final 30 minutes were all Kettering’s. Wadkins saw his 50th minute shot blocked by Langdon, and shortly after Snedker made a good take from Wadkins’ cross. Snedker then dropped another cross but recovered to collect the ball. The Poppies then took total control. Jones saved Brighton’s shot and Nathan Hicks fired over after being set up by Wilson Carvalho. Carvalho’s goalbound shot deflected off of Canavan, and substitute,Matthew Barnes- Homer fired over the bar. O’Connor got clear on the right and determined defending cleared the cross. From the corner, Langdon’s header was just wide. Canavan fired wide and, as the game entered the last 10 minutes, O’Connor fired wide from a good position on the left. Darren Purse and Mat Mitchell-King were using all their experience in a defence which was being stretched by a four man attack. Barnes- Homer fired over the bar again- looking distinctly short of fitness and match practice. The Poppies threw everything forward and Langdon had two efforts,both headers, blocked and the saved by Jones. In the final minute, Kettering’s O’Connor had a glorious chance as he was clear on goal – but he blazed the ball into the car park! The end result was harsh on Kettering, but with an abundance of strikers on show – they failed to score. On Saturday, it’s cup time again, as the Poppies take on Market Drayton Town in the Buildbase F A Trophy at Latimer Park at 3pm.

Full Time: Chesham United 1 - 0 Kettering Town

Attendance: 360 (Poppies fans estimated at 75)

Poppies Man of the Match: Dom Langdon

Team line-ups: Chesham United: 1 Ashlee Jones 2 Benji Crilley 3 Bruce Wilson (Captain) 4 Mat Mitchell-King 5 Darren Purse 6 Stephan Hamilton-Forbes (15 Toby Little,78) 7 Dave Pearce (17 Matt Taylor,76) 8 Sam Youngs 9 Brad Wadkins 10 Drew Roberts (14 Ryan Blake,77) 11 Adam Martin

Subs Unused: 12 Barry Hayles 19 Taylor McKenzie

Yellow Card: Martin,88.

Kettering Town: 1 Dean Snedker 2 Nathan Hicks 3 Dom Langdon 4 Brett Solkhon (Captain) ( 14 Ben Stephens,28) 5 James Haran 6 Ben Bradshaw (16 Spencer Weir-Daley, 66) 7 Wilson Carvalho 8 Aaron O’Connor 9 Rene Howe (18 Matthew Barnes-Homer, 69) 10 Liam Canavan 11 James Brighton

Subs Unused: 12 Ben Baker 15 Callum Westwood

Yellow card: Stephens,89.