Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL:

The Poppies succumbed to another of the top teams tonight losing 3-0 at Leamington and in truth were well beaten. First half goals from Rob Thompson-Brown and ex Poppy, Courtney Baker-Richardson were added to by a 67th minute penalty from Thompson-Brown.

THE KETTERING SQUAD: As seems to be the commonplace there were a number of changes. Lewis Hornby, Nathan Hicks and Jack O’Connor started. O’Connor for his league debut at centre back. Brett Solkhon and Liam Canavan reverted to the bench with Dom Langdon having to revert to physio with the club physio out with concussion!

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: Kettering started quite well with a Lewis Hornby free kick having to be tipped over the bar by Tony Breedon. Then from a corner, James Hall headed over the bar – albeit a late flag ruled him offside. There was a lack of height evident for Kettering tonight with Rene Howe having to come back to defend at every set piece. The first set piece for Leamington provided the first goal as a long throw was headed on, and cleared as far as Rob Thompson-Brown, whose first time effort crept gently in at the left upright. Howe was soon back again to head a clearance over his own bar. From the corner, Courtney Baker-Richardson headed straight at loan keeper, Liam Gooch. Another cross from the left saw Baker-Richardson head wide from a great position. It was a let off. Baker-Richardson made no mistake on 19 minutes though as he headed a corner underneath the diving Gooch to make it 2-0. Kettering did get forward in the 21st minute but Nathan Hicks’ effort was an easy pick up for Breedon. Then Aaron O’Connor made space on the right and his low cross was well defended. Another flowing Kettering move saw Hicks cross from the right to the back post and again good defending was evident. From the resulting corner, Jack O’Connor stabbed a shot wide. Jack Edwards won two headers in attacking positions for the Brakes but both were over the bar. Then Baker-Richardson lashed a shot wildly high and wide. Leamington kept up the pressure before the break with Gooch saving from Thompson-Brown and Ahmed Obeng firing narrowly over the bar from 16 yards.

Half Time: Leamington 2 - 0 Kettering Town

The second period early on saw Leamington happy to consolidate and very little happened for a good 15 minutes. The over fussy referee handed Kettering a couple of yellow cards for not much at all and the home side were happy to see the official stopping play at regular intervals. The Poppies made a triple substitution in the 61st minute as Brett Solkhon.Liam Canavan and Jorrin John replaced Hall,Hicks and Hornby. Kettering put on a bit of pressure and John had two efforts blocked before Leamington broke away and Gooch saved a deflected Baker-Richardson shot. Leamington were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute as Jack Kelly cleared the ball as the forward backed in. There seemed to be no foul committed, even admitted by the home fans. But penalty it was and incredibly Kelly was yellow carded. Thompson-Brown drove the ball down the middle and in. This was the third penalty conceded by the Poppies in the last three games. Aaron O’Connor got a shot in a couple of minutes later- but it was wide. The Brakes shut off the game- which was now won and Kettering saw James Brighton’s free kick drift wide and a Jack Kelly corner beat everyone as it flashed across goal.

Thanks to the Poppies fans who made the trip and made themselves heard.

It’s now at home on Saturday to St Ives Town in the League and on Tuesday to Brackley in the Hillier Senior Cup semi final. Please come and support us.

Full Time: Leamington 3 - 0 Kettering Town

Attendance: 478 (Poppies fans estimated at 50 )

Poppies Man of the Match: Liam Bateman

Team Line-ups:

Leamington: 1 Tony Breedon 2 Richard Taundry (15 Ben George,78) 3 Tom James 4 Darren Pond 5 Jamie Hood 6 James Mace 7 Courtney Baker-Richardson 8 Callum Gittings (14 Jason Goddard,86) 9 Ahmed Obeng (12 Richard Gregory, 68) 10 Jack Edwards 11 Rob Thompson-Brown

Unused Subs: 16 Connor Gudger 17 Charlie Hornby

Yellow Card: Mace,82.

Kettering Town: 1 Liam Gooch 2 Liam Bateman 3 Jack Kelly 4 Lewis Hornby (18  Brett Solkhon,61) 5 Jack O'Connor 6 Gary Mulligan (Captain) 7 Nathan Hicks (15 Jorrin John,61) 8 Aaron O’Connor 9 Rene Howe 10 James Hall (14 Liam Canavan,61) 11 James Brighton

Unused Subs:12 Ben Baker;16 Paul Malone.

Yellow Cards: Mulligan, Howe, Aaron O’Connor, Jack Kelly