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Match Report

The last time The Poppies visited Berkley Road (now Blindmans Brewery Stadium) was in the 2012-13 season when we lost the game after being very much in it until a sending off.

This time we gained revenge, and our first away points of the season, as substitute Elliot Sandy’s 82nd minute strike proved to be the winner in a 2-1 victory. After a very mediocre first half, the game came to life in the second half as Kettering took the lead through Saul Williams’ 50th minute strike with Rob Hobbs equalising 7 minutes later.

Kettering keeper, Enol Ordonez, played a big part in this win with several notable saves in the second period.

THE SQUAD:

With Dubi Ogbonna still nursing an injury and Brett Solkon unavailable, new signing Ollie Thorne started in defence with Gary Mulligan moving into midfield. Jevani Brown had recovered from his hamstring strain and was called into the starting line up.

THE GAME:

The Blindsman Brewery pitch was in excellent condition, albeit that the ground does fall away a little on one side - but playing conditions were good on a sunny afternoon.

Kettering started brightly and in answer to Marcus Law's call to shoot, Jevani Brown did that after just four minutes. His left footed curler beat Darren Chitty but hit the post.

Just a couple of minutes later, a flowing move started by Brown which also involved Saul Williams and James Brighton saw the latter cross from the left. The ball found Courtney Baker-Richardson’s head at the far post, but Chitty was not troubled.

Frome forced a couple of corners in the 15th minute which were dealt with as the game began to open out.

The hosts looked a threat on 20 minutes as the ball was played past Brighton - but he got back well to snuff out the danger, before home striker Ollie Taylor hit a shot well wide. The Robins gained another couple of corners - which saw some solid Poppies defending.

On 28 minutes Williams set up Brown but his weak shot was straight at Chitty before Will Grocott saw a dangerous free kick blocked by the defensive wall. From the same phrase of play, Baker–Richardson had a clear sight of goal but his left foot effort was poor.

The Poppies 32nd minute corner saw Grocott’s cross find Baker-Richardson at the far post, but again, he got under the ball and it drifted wide of goal.

Gary Mulligan was, at this stage, being encouraged to get forward and only a good Ben Worlock interception prevented the Irishman getting a shot in.

Kettering finished the half stronger, with Brown having a shot blocked, Grocutt seeing a shot saved by Chitty and Brown sizzling a shot over the bar.

In the first seconds of the second half, home striker Tyler Sibbick screwed a shot wide.

Five minutes later, The Poppies opened the scoring by quickly getting forward the ball and a tricky cross field pass bounced and bobbled in the home penalty area. Baker-Richardson adjusted and skillfully slipped the ball to Williams who in a few paces went past his marker to drill a low right foot shot into the far corner.

Straight from the restart, Mulligan got to a Brighton cross but Chitty saved the header.

The visitors were on the front foot and Miles Smith’s run and cross ended with Williams’ shot saved by Chitty, before the keeper was again called into action to easily save from Brown.

This seemed to spur on the home team and all of a sudden they began to threaten.

New signing Jamie Horgan wriggled clear and Enol Ordonez pulled off a good save but the ball was poorly cleared, and the Spaniard made a better save as he pushed Joe Tumelty’s shot round the post.

Ordonez set out to prove why Marcus gave him the number one jersey as Taylor’s turn and shot saw the keeper pull off a great save, but the next phrase Ordonez again denied Frome as The Robins looked for the equaliser.

The next attack saw the overworked away defence crack as they could not clear and in a melee Rob Hobbs stretched to poke the ball over the line.

Frome now looked more confident as Taylor’s 25 yard strike flashed wide.

Then Ordonez again saved his side by making a great double save from Horgan. It really was now anyone’s game.

The substitution's started with Elliot Sandy replacing Baker-Richardson and Nick Wright replaced Andy Gooding.

This seemed to have a positive effect as The Poppies began to take control of the game. Brown’s shot was saved and on 73 minutes, Sandy had a good chance, but, his control let him down.

Frome again came close as Tumelty swept a left footed effort on to the outside of the post, but The Poppies had a glorious chance as Wright found himself running onto a cross and facing an open net, he mis-kicked!

Ordonez easily saved a Sibbick low shot on 80 minutes and two minutes later came the winning goal.

Williams set Wright clear on the left and his low left foot cross ended with Sandy getting to the ball first at the far post. The stiker left foot connected and the ball rose high into the net from close range.

The Robins made three changes in the final ten minutes - all to no avail - as Law made his final change as Steve Kinniburgh replaced Williams.

Kettering throw their final throws which saw Wright test Chitty low down to his right before finally the persistent Taylor fired wide for The Robins.

Attendance: 212 (Poppies Fans: About 75).

Poppies Man of the Match: Enol Ordonez