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Match Report

A single well taken 74th goal by Gary Mulligan settled this FA Trophy First Round Qualifying tie at the Pro-Edge Stadium St Ives tonight.

The game was not a classic on a bumpy and slippery surface, but The Poppies got the job done with a clean sheet and go into the draw for the next round.

THE SQUAD:

After Tuesday’s Red Insure Cup game, the squad was restored to the full first team. However, Courtney Baker-Richardson was unfit, Michael Richens denied permission to play by his club and Jevani Brown was omitted. Andy Gooding started with Liam Canavan pushed farther forward to join Dubi Ogbonna up top.

THE GAME:

Both teams soon realised that the surface was going to be a factor in this game, but the home team were naturally the quicker to settle.

Home winger, Scott Sinclair got away on the right and swept a low cross to the far post where Danny Watson could just not get a touch. Then some slack defending saw Craig Hill and Steve Kinniburgh get in a right mess and, more by luck than judgement, they combined to stop Watson getting in on goal.

Kettering’s first foray forward on 7 minutes saw great work by Liam Canavan and James Brighton but the shot went away for a corner - which Gary Mulligan flicked over the bar. Mulligan then saw a shot blocked.

Watson had a chance for the Ives as he outpaced the defence - but the shot was poor and wide. Home keeper,Tim Trebes, then caused alarm for his defence as he spilled a free kick - but recovered to pick up. Kettering’s ex-Ives striker, Dubi Ogbonna saw a 12th minute shot blocked.

The Poppies had a glorious chance to take the lead on 14 minutes. Home Skipper, Charlie De’Ath was adjudged to have stopped a cross from the right with his left arm and a penalty was awarded.

Ogbonna grabbed the ball ahead of regular penalty taker, Andy Gooding, and promptly fired the ball at Trebes who saved easily. The rebound saw Brett Solkhon head over the bar.

Kettering put on more pressure and Ogbonna’s left foot shot was deflected wide for a corner and from a second corner Brighton lifted a shot over the bar. Will Grocott then also fired a free kick over the top.

Clearly the pitch was having an effect and the dew on the surface saw some players losing their footing.

Kettering’s Ogbonna then had a glorious 28th minute chance as he outpaced the defence and went past Trebes on the right. He had to check his run and with Liam Canavan waiting for the pass to fire the ball in, Ogbonna tried his luck with a left foot shot which Trebes deflected wide.

St Ives finally got forward and Watson did well on the left, but his low cross found no takers.

Kettering could have had a second penalty on 33 minutes with a much clearer handball in the penalty area – but the Referee decided otherwise.

St Ives’ best chance of the half on 39 minutes saw Ben Seymour-Shove deliver a deep free kick from the right and the header from Harry O’Malley in front of goal went over the bar. It was a great chance.

In the next minute, Kettering’s Brighton forced a great save from Trebes as his 35 yard left foot rocket, saw the keeper saving well to his left. From the corner. Brighton fired over.

The second half was a tighter affair as both defences seemed to take more control.

Shots were exchanged early on as Jared Cunniff put a left foot shot wide for St Ives and Ogbonna a right foot shot wide for Kettering.

Saul Williams replaced Will Grocott for Kettering on 55 minutes.

As the game deteriorated, there were three yellow cards issued for a 62nd minute flare up involving Ogbonna, De’Ath and Dan Moyes.

Kettering keeper, Hill, was smartly off his line to smother from Watson in the next minute and it really was anyone’s game at this stage.

A 68th minute free kick saw De’Ath head well wide and, for Kettering, Ogbonna’s cross for Williams saw the striker’s shot blocked.

Kettering scored what was to be the winner after 74 minutes. Dominic Langdon, playing on the right, crossed to the back post and Gary Mulligan controlled the header over Trebes and in at the right post.

The Poppies had to manage strong pressure from the home team in the last minutes with the Ives throwing men forward and bringing on Stuart Eason and Steve Gentle.

However, The Poppies did have the best chance of the period as Canavan’s shot was just wide. Hill smothered a potential chance well and saved from Sinclair’s low drive.

We now await the draw next week and also the visit on Tuesday of Biggleswade in the league- provided their game at Grays Athletic on Saturday does not end in a draw.

Attendance: 325 (Poppies Fans: Estimated at 120)

Poppies Man of the Match: Brett Solkhon