Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL:

The Poppies surrendered a lot of territory tonight but went in at half time 3-0 up with clinical finishing from Rene Howe after 29 minutes, debutant, James Hall (35), and Brett Solkhon (45+1). After the break Frome came stronger, giving it everything and scored through leading striker, Jake Jackson in the 62nd minute. Home nerves were calmed in the 79th minute though as Hall grabbed his second to give Kettering their best home league win of the season to date.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

The injury list lengthened with Aaron O’Connor joining the list and then in the pre match warm up James Haran was injured forcing a re-shuffle as Jack Kelly came in. The central defensive partnership became Brett Solkhon and Dom Langdon. New signing, James Hall started and Jack O’Connor came onto the bench with Liam Canavan amongst the substitutes.

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

The Pitch had held up really well, after a lot of work from the Groundsman. It was a cold night for the fans as a frost began to settle and the mist hung around. Frome were quickly into their stride and confidence seemed high reflecting the good run they are on. They took the game to Kettering, and in just the second minute George Miller shot over the bar. A minute later a strong unchecked run from midfield by Jon Davies saw Brett Solkhon’s last ditch block prevent the shot getting through. Davies tried again on 12 minutes and shot just wide. All Frome’s endeavours in the first 20 minutes though came to nothing as the Poppies defended well. Kettering’s first go at goal came on 21 minutes as a corner on the left saw the ball fall to Gary Mulligan- but his shot was blocked. Three minutes later and Kettering threatened again as Rene Howe got free on the right and his shot flashed across goal. Then Davies got away again at the other end-but Paul White safely took the cross. Kettering took the lead in the 29th minute. Jack Kelly’s free kick was headed across goal by Brett Solkhon and Rene Howe lashed home a great volley, giving keeper Kyle Phillips no chance. The Poppies seemed to gain in confidence from this goal and a couple of minutes later, James Brighton, on the left, set up a chance for James Hall- but the effort was wide. Not to be outdone, Hall scored his first goal for the club on 35 minutes. In fairness it was a straightforward tap in after Howe had won the ball for Matthew Barnes-Homer on the right to cross low into the six yard box. Frome were full of running and endeavour, and a good amount of skilful play, but there was resilience about Kettering’s defending. In added time in the half the Poppies scored again. This time Kelly’s free kick found Brett Solkhon who guided his header past Phillips and inside the left upright.

Half Time: Kettering Town 3 - 0 Frome Town

As could be expected, Frome had to give it a go and came out with purpose and put Kettering under territorial pressure for 15 minutes without creating a chance. On the hour, right back, Kris Miller, darted past a tackle and skewed a shot wide. Three minutes later Frome scored with their first shot on target. The ball came in from a throw in on the right, deflected off a defender and Jake Jackson finished well past White and in at the far post.Within two minutes Davies had a chance but mishit his shot over the bar. Kettering’s first venture into the Frome penalty area in the half came after 25 minutes as Hall won a corner. From the clearance, Hall collected and shot over the bar. Within three minutes the Poppies had a great chance to wrap the game up. The ever hard working Brighton got clear on the left only for Phillips to make a good save. The ball was won again and the cross came in and Hall put his shot wide from a great position. Hall did though score again on 79 minutes. Finding himself put clear with the Frome defence appealing, unsuccessfully, for offside- he slipped the ball skillfully past Phillips to seal the game. Kettering saw the game out with Langdon making a couple of key blocks and keeper, White, making a good take from a corner.

Next up its Hayes and Yeading United away next Sunday, 29th January at 1pm ( at Beaconsfield SYCOB).

Full Time: Kettering Town 4 - 1 Frome Town

Attendance: 352

Poppies Elgoods Brewery Man of the Match: James Hall

Klondike (£120) Number: 13483 Winner: Bob Miller

Team line-ups:

Kettering Town: 1 Paul White 2 Liam Bateman (14 Wilson Carvalho,69) 3 Dom Langdon 4 Brett Solkhon (Captain) 5 Jack Kelly 6 Gary Mulligan 7 Nathan Hicks 8 James Hall 9 Rene Howe 10 Matthew Barnes-Homer (18 Jack O’Connor,87) 11 James Brighton (16 Jordan Wilson,84)

Subs Unused: 12 Liam Canavan 17 Dean Snedker

Yellow cards: Barnes-Homer,67;Brighton,77.

Frome Town: 1 Kyle Phillips 2 Kris Miller 3 Chris Gregan 4 Connor Roberts 5 Sam Teale ( Captain) 6 Clayton Green 7 Jon Davies 8 George Miller 9 Jake Jackson (15 Aiden Kirby,88) 10 Mike Bryant (12 Darren Jeffries,61) 11 Ollie Knight (14 James Fitzgibbon,59)

Subs Unused: None

Yellow Cards:None.