Full Time:

Match Report

Kettering Town  v  Cogenhoe United

Northampton FA Hillier Cup

Tuesday 18th September 2018   7:45pm

Referee: Shaun Barry   Assistants: Sam Anderson and Paul Speakman

Kettering Town yellow cards:  none

Cogenhoe United yellow cards:  Stevensons, Barwell fouls.

As expected a much changed Kettering team from Saturday was named. Lindon Meikle having served his suspension started along with fellow red card recipient Dion Kelly-Evans in order to seek match practice.  Also returning to active service was Andrea Borg after missing the Leiston game through injury.  Noted as still being absent was Declan Towers who one assumes is still feeling the effects of injury from the Stratford game.  Lewis Elsom made his debut for the club in goal.  A new name Etse Hotter wore the No 9 shirt, having trained with the club, his international clearance had been received allowing him start a competitive game having previously played in Italy.   

Cogenhoe, playing in all blue with a white band on the chest, kicked off attacking the Tin Hat end but Kettering mounted the first attack which was halted by a foul on Andrea Borg.  Ben Toesland’s free-kick was headed behind by the defence but the resulting corner produced nothing.  On 5 minutes another Kettering attack was stopped by a clumsy foul on Hotter by Dan Stevensons on the edge of the area which earned him an early caution. Toesland shaped up to have a shot at goal but his effort cleared the bar by a considerable distance.  Cogenhoe’s first attack was dealt with by Liam Elsom coming out well to clear a hopeful through ball.  Borg was the provider of the next Kettering chance. He was set free on the left hand side and his pace made him enough space to cross an inviting ball into the middle of the goal area but there no one was there to capitalise on the opportunity.

Hotter came closest to breaking the stalemate on 25 minutes when following a corner the ball fell to him on the edge of the penalty where he hit a low shot through a mass of players including a defenders legs only to see it squarely hit the base of the post with Stuart Lutter stranded, unsighted in the middle of the goal.  It bounced of the post to a grateful defender who hacked it clear.  Following a second Cogenhoe caution, this time George Barwell, Borg advanced well to the by-line looking to cross into the centre but good defending prevented it by conceding a corner.  Cogenhoe finished the half on the attack but their corner came to nothing. 

Half Time: Kettering Town 0  Cogenhoe United 0

At half-time Durrell Berry and Borg were withdrawn with an eye to Saturday’s more important cup game with Arjun Hundall and Sam Thompson replacing them. Cogenhoe had the first chance of the second half when following a corner Richard Lavery got in the way to block a fierce goal bound shot.  Almost immediately Kettering took the lead. A corner was not adequately cleared by the defence and Callum Milne managed to force the ball home from close range despite the attention of Cogenhoe defenders.1-0 Kettering 47 mins.  Five minutes later Jahvan Davidson-Miller tried to double the lead but his good shot was saved well low down by the stretching Lutter. After another 5 minutes Liam Elsom had to be alert to prevent an equaliser. A Cogenhoe free-kick appeared to be sent goal wards from a red shirted player but an athletic leap from the Kettering keeper sent the ball over for a corner.  At the corner Cogenhoe placed their 2 large central defenders directly in front of Elsom who standing about 6 inches shorter than the attackers had to move in order to have any chance to see the incoming ball. Whilst in the act of manoeuvring his way around the 2 Man Mountains in front of him the kick was delivered into the box where Alex Lowery was able to stab the ball home. 1-1 Cogenhoe 57 mins.  Cogenhoe were filled with self-confidence now and started applying pressure on Kettering.  Lavery was called to perform an impressive clearance of a dangerous ball into Kettering’s area and at every corner Cogenhoe attempted to take advantage of Elsom’s lack of stature by placing one of their huge defenders in close proximity.  Kettering had a chance to retake the lead with 10 minutes to go when a good ball from Hotter allowed JDM to break clear. He moved into the penalty area and played a ballalong the ground towards the far post but the advancing Kettering forward was unable to force the ball home due to close attention from a defender. With the game looking as if it would be decided on penalties Cogenhoe came forward again and the ball was played to Ryan Dove who struck a fierce shot from about 12 yards out. Elsom managed to get in the way of the shot but the ball spun off him into the air and looped over him and into the net. 1-2 Cogenhoe 88 mins. No meaningful action was possible before the final whistle was sounded.

A home defeat similar to Saturday’s result with Leiston, a late goal deciding a game in which honours were even.  Useful game time for returning players but Kettering  not causing the oppositions goalkeeper too much work over the 90 minutes.  Good display by Jack O’Connor. 

Full Time: Kettering Town 1 Cogenhoe United 2. 

Attendance: 74

Elgoods Brewery Man-of-the-Match: Jack O'Connor.

Klondike No: 28847 - £50 (Eunice Eaves).