Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL:

The Poppies looked comfortable at half time with a 2-0 lead after goals from Paul Malone and Rene Howe in the 27th and 43rd minutes. Basingstoke had plenty of the ball all game. Their full time training showed in the second period as they pulled a goal back after 71 minutes through substitute, Aaron Redford. The Poppies just hung on for another home win, with keeper Paul White to thank for some good saves.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

Lewis Hornby was out injured and Gary Mulligan was ill. Liam Bateman and James Haran returned and Brett Solkhon reverted to the bench.

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

It was a grey relatively mild day at Latimer Park- and the pitch had again stood up to the frosts and yesterday’s rain. Kicking towards the Station Road end, the Poppies forced a couple of early corners and the momentum was stopped by a free kick to the visitors. Kettering’s Liam Canavan fired one just wide of the post before Kettering nearly scored in the 10th minute. James Brighton crossed from the left - Rene Howe got in a firm header past keeper Alex Tokarczyk- only for a great headed save by a defender off the line. From the corner Dom Langdon at the far post headed across goal from a good position. The Dragons then created a great chance for themselves. Sam Deadfield met a cross from the right with a left foot first time volley from 10 yards and Kettering keeper, Paul White saved well with his legs. A few minutes later Charlie Kennedy’s 25 yarder flew past the right post. Within a minute, Aaron O’Connor ran onto a through ball and Tomarczyk had to get down to smother the ball away for a corner. The game was flowing at this stage with Basingstoke showing some good understanding, but only playing one up top. Matt Partridge got in a lob which White held comfortably. The Poppies took the lead on 27 minutes. A set piece saw a Rene Howe shot saved, the rebound was met by Matthew Barnes-Homer,who hit the bar from a few yards out and Paul Malone was there to head in off of a defender on the line. Just two minutes later, Kettering carved out another chance as O’Connor was clear on the right. The shot appeared to be saved by Tomarczyk- but the Referee signaled a goal kick. The Poppies nearly suffered yet again from a mistake in midfield as Brighton needlessly gave the ball away allowing a break by the visitors. A corner was won and from the kick Aaron Jarvis headed wide. Kettering doubled their lead just before the break. A corner was cleared and O’Connor tried a shot which fell to Howe. The striker found himself unmarked and turned to fire easily past Tomarczyk.

Half Time: Kettering Town 2 - 0 Basingstoke Town

The Poppies started the half on the front foot and Langdon’s cross fell well for Malone, who headed over the bar from a good central position. Nathan Hicks, playing in midfield, saw his 50th minute shot saved before Basingstoke had a great chance. Kennedy was clear on goal on the left and White made a good save at his near post. In the next minute, White was out of goal again to snuff out another good chance as he smothered the ball. The Dragons were breathing fire at this stage and a quick break saw Partridge put a left foot shot wide. For 10 minutes the visitors had much the better possession but created nothing as Kettering defended resolutely. Aaron Redford had replaced Michael Atkinson in the 61st minute and it was the substitute who scored 10 minutes later. Paul Malone was left stranded on the left as Redford raced past him, and, unchallenged, Redford ran on to beat White. White was soon in action again safely holding a low cross from the right from Marons Johnson-Schuster. However, the anticipated push for an equaliser was not forthcoming as Kettering looked to hold on to their lead. Brett Solkhon was a welcome addition to the midfield, replacing Barnes-Homer, and this gave a little more solidarity to a midfield that had been overrun at times. All Basingstoke had to offer was an 85th minute break and White made a sharp save with the follow up shot well blocked by a defender’s lunge. For Kettering, late substitute, Jordan Wilson shot just past the post as Kettering took all tree points.

The Poppies now have two tough away games at Dunstable next Saturday and at leaders Leamington on Tuesday 17th.

Full Time: Kettering Town 2 - 1 Basingstoke Town

Attendance: 658 (highest of the season)

Elgoods Poppies Man of the Match chosen by Gail Butcher: Rene Howe

Klondike: (£175) Number: 12879 Winner: Dan Starks

Team line-ups:

Kettering Town: 1 Paul White 2 Liam Bateman 3 Dom Langdon 4 Nathan Hicks 5 Paul Malone 6 James Haran 7 Matthew Barnes-Homer (15 Brett Solkhon,73) 8 Aaron O’Connor (16 Jordan Wilson,88) 9 Rene Howe (Captain) 10 Liam Canavan (12 Wilson Carvalho,77) 11 James Brighton

Subs Unused: 14 Jack Kelly 17 Dean Snedker

Yellow card: Brighton,58.

Basingstoke Town: 1 Alex Tocarczyk 2 Marcus Johnson-Schuster (14 Kieran Greene,84) 3 George Bennett 4 Matt Partridge 5 Joe Gater 6 David Ray 7 Sam Deadfield 8 Charlie Kennedy 9 Aaron Jarvis 10 Michael Atkinson (12 Aaron Redford,61) 11 Nana Owusu

Subs Unused: 15 Mark Hastings 16 Ashleigh Artwell 17 Harrison Shade

Yellow Card: Bennett,55