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Match Report

Marcus Law took a strong squad to Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Barwell tonight, although both Jevani Brown and Saul Williams were not included. In the event it was a goalless draw, with the home side controlling the first period and Kettering the second half.

Kettering started very slowly and Barwell put on early pressure with almost a shoot on sight policy. The Poppies were rattled and withstood virtually the first 15 minutes in their own half. Only poor finishing kept the game goalless.

Just before the half hour mark Kettering forced their first corner and just five minutes later home veteran Richard Lavery nearly opened the scoring as his header hit a post.
Then Kettering's debutante  Courtney Baker-Richardson did get clear, but keeper Liam Castle made a good save. Then ex-Poppy Jamie Towers drilled a shot which Jamie McAlindon got his fingers on and the ball hit the crossbar. It was a good save. The young keeper then had to save low down from Anthony Carney.

After the break The Poppies changed formation and largely controlled the game as the inevitable substitutions were made. Dubi Ogbonna was on and nearly broke through on goal and was stopped by a last ditch tackle. Then Elliot Sandy saw an on target shot well blocked.

Kettering's best chance of the game, on 67 minutes, saw Ogbonna burst through on the right and his shot was narrowly wide with Castle beaten. McAlindon was eventually called on to make a sharp save from Carney and another shot bounced up in front of him, and as he parried the ball, Steve Kinniburgh headed away.

Man of the match Brett Solkhon had two late chances - firstly on 84 minutes, as, after a free kick, the ball fell to him he stabbed the ball wide and secondly on 87 minutes as he rifled a forty yard shot just over the bar.