Full Time:

Match Report

The Poppies gained a creditable 2-2 result today against higher league opposition in Southend United. Kettering took the lead on 15 minutes through Sam Bennett, only for the Shrimpers to equalise just five minutes later through a trialist. The visitors then took the lead just after the break with a 48th minute goal from a substitute only for Kettering substitute Neo Richard-Noel to level the scores up at 2-2 on the hour.

Southend started with ex Poppy, Callum Powell who was withdrawn after 65 minutes and after the game was presented with last season’s golden boot award.

Kettering team:

1  Cameron Gregory

2  Lewis White

3  Ben Toseland

4  Rhys Sharpe

5  Brad Gascoigne

6  Aiden Walker

7  Ben Sault (Yellow,67) (substituted by trialist,77)

8  Ethan Hill

10 Keaton Ward (Neo Richard- Noel,46)

11 Sam Bennett (Andre Wright,46)

18 Jordan Graham (Decarrey Sheriff,46)

BRIEF MATCH SUMMARY

FIRST HALF:

Given the dry recent dry conditions, the pitch looked fine for this match, the only home friendly this season.

Ex Wisbech striker, Sam Bennett had the first effort for Kettering as he saw his shot deflected wide. For the Blues, ex Kettering striker Callum Powell saw his low shot blocked.

Kettering took the lead on 13 minutes as a good run by central defender Aiden Walker saw him find Bennett and his low,left foot shot sped past Andeng Ndi in the visitors goal and in at the right post.

It took Southend just 7 minutes to equalise as a penetrating run on the left saw the low cross hit home by a trialist.

Home keeper Cam Gregory made a couple of saves, keeping out a low shot and saving an Akinola effort with his legs.

Kettering had a chance on 34 minutes as Ben Sault and Ndi went for a ball at the edge of the area and with Sault collecting the loose ball he fired just over the bar.

Callum Powell’s 35th minute shot was blocked out and immediately a run by Bennett gave Jordan Graham a shooting chance for the Poppies but he could get no power on the shot.

Kettering had the ball in the net just before the break but Keaton Ward was ruled offside.

Half Time  1-1

SECOND HALF: 

The usual half time substitutions were made and in Kettering’s case, Andre Wright, Neo Richard-Noel and Decarrey Sheriff replaced Graham,Bennett and Ward.

Kettering’s Ethan Hill saw his early shot saved and on 48 minutes Southend took the lead through a substitute who found room on the right to finish low past Gregory.

The game was somewhat untidy for a while until the substitutes settled in, but Kettering equalised on the hour mark. A piercing run by Ben Toseland on the left saw his square the ball across for Neo Richard-Noel to fire home with a low strike.

The Poppies threatened to take the lead just three minutes later as a good run from Lewis White saw him put Andre Wright clear – but the Assistant intervened with an offside flag.

Despite Southend’s neater play, Kettering offered a greater goal threat. A move involving Brad Gascoigne, Richard-Noel and Decarrey Sheriff saw Ndi quickly off his line to intercept. Then Gascoigne headed over from a free kick.

Wright came in from the left but skied his shot and in a late attack Ndi was fortunate to smother the ball as it broke loose in the six yard box. Southend did get a couple of late chances with Coker firing too high and a substitute saw his shot blocked.

Attendance: 383 

Klondike,for £100,was ticket number 05451 and was won by Bryony Gates

Next games:

Friendlies:

Away to Jersey Bulls on Saturday 23rd July at 3pm

Away at Corby Town on Saturday 30th July at 3pm

National League North:

Away at AFC Fylde on Saturday 6th August at 3pm

Home to Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday 13th August at 3pm

Home to AFC Telford United on Tuesday 16th August at 7.45pm

Match Report by Sadman.