10th Minute Injury Time Equaliser: Match Report Stamford AFC vs KTFC 29 March 2025

MATCH SUMMARY:

Another away game which reached no heights saw the Poppies take the lead on 16 minutes through Aaron Powell and the Daniels equalise in the 10th minute of added time at the end of the game through Jordon Cooke. It wasn’t a classic, with goalmouth action rare, and both sides struggled with a stiff breeze down the pitch.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

Into the starting line up came Devon Kelly-Evans after injury, and Jamar Loza after his signing on deadline day. Dropping out were Ty Wilson -not in the 16,and Luca Miller who was on the bench, with Fin Wilkinson not in the matchday squad.

THE TEAMS:

Stamford AFC:
1 Tom Jackson
2 Ben Isaacson
3 Connor Bartlett (12 Billy Bennett,68)
4 Ashton Offler (17 Kai Tonge,62)
5 Jordon Cooke
6 James Blunden
7 Tendai Chitiza (15 Elliott Durrell,59)
8 George Hobbins
9 Jack Duffy (Captain)
10 Lee Shaw (16 Joao Varela,68)
11 Tobias Liversidge (14 Jon Challinor,90)

Unused Substitutes: None

Yellow Cards: Bennett,90; Tonge,90+6.

KETTERING TOWN:

1 Dan Jezeph
2 Ben Hart
3 Aaron Powell
4 Devon Kelly -Evans
5 Connor Johnson (Captain)
6 Alex Gudger
7 Wes York (19 Kai Fifield,83)
8 Andi Thanoj (15 Kyle Storer,46)
14 Sam McLintock (17 Luca Miller,64)
18 Jonny Edwards (9 Nile Ranger,59)
20 Jamar Loza (12 Lewis White,90+3)

Unused Substitutes: None

Yellow Cards: Jezeph,42;Hart,87

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

A sunny afternoon and decent playing surface greeted the two teams but there was a strong breeze down the pitch, which was at the Daniels’ backs in the first half.

The Poppies were first to threaten as Jamar Loza got in a decent cross from the left and with Jonny Edwards threatening, the home defence cleared the ball. A foul on Wes York gave Andi Thanoj a free kick on the left- but the cross was wide of the far post.

With the strong breeze against him, Kettering keeper, Dan Jezeph took three routine catches as the ball was lumped forward. At this stage Kettering looked the more threatening and Wes York got on the end of an Aaron Powell cross from the left, but headed wide of the right post.

Kettering took the lead on 16 minutes from an unlikely source. Aaron Powell took a pass on the left from Loza and with the home defence backing away he cut inside and his low right foot shot beat home keeper Tom Jackson.

Stamford 0 – 1 Kettering

Jezeph held another cross well, this time from left back Connor Bartle and Stamford were employing long throws into the Kettering six yard box, which were competently dealt with by Jezeph and his defence.

On 33 minutes, York threatened and keeper Jackson got to his effort with the loose ball falling to Sam McLintock who had an opening on goal but could not get a shot in.

Loza won another corner on the left but the wind hampered the delivery and the ball was cleared.

As half time approached, visiting skipper, Connor Johnson did very well to contain Lee Shaw on the left as he threatened to go clear, and Toby Liversidge tried his luck for Stamford but his effort from fully 25 yards was well blocked out.

There was a flurry of activity right on half time and the three added minutes. A Bartle free kick was headed well wide by James Blunden; Loza got away to shoot but the effort was deflected for a corner. Finally,in the half Bartle dragged a left foot shot well wide.

Half Time:

Stamford AFC 0 – 1 Kettering Town

Kettering replaced the injured Andi Thanoj with Kyle Storer on the restart.

Stamford were finding it easier to play against the wind and spent the first 15 minutes of the half with a lot of the ball, playing to feet – but they failed to test Jezeph.

Nile Ranger replaced Edwards on 59 minutes. The Poppies had a couple of chances with McLintock shooting wide and Loza’s 65th minute shot deflected away for an unproductive corner.

As the half went on, the home side began to exert some pressure. Ben Hart made an excellent clearance from a Ben Isaacson cross from the right, and on 73 minutes, home substitute, Billy Bennett saw his direct free kick blocked by the defensive wall.Then,as Powell seemed to be fouled, the Referee allowed play to continue and Jezeph saved the shot.

A red card was aimed at the Kettering bench for some reason which will emerge in the fullness of time.

Six minutes of added time were signalled as Stamford looked for an equaliser. In the fifth minute of added time Jezeph was off his line to clear a dangerous effort. There followed a short stoppage for treatment.

Stamford equalised in the 10th minute of added time. A corner on the right signalled all 22 players in the Kettering penalty area. As the cross came over, Jezeph appeared to be impeded and home centre back, Jordon Cooke headed in at the far post.

There was time to kick off, but the Referee immediately signalled the end of the game.

Full Time:

Stamford AFC 1 – 1 Kettering Town

Attendance: 1237 (Kettering fans estimated at 650)

Referee: Will Murray; Assistant Referees: Jack Simpson and Stuart Mallows

Poppies Media Kettering Town Man of the Match: Jamar Loza

FORTHCOMING HOME MATCHES:

Saturday April 5th: Hitchin Town at 3pm

Saturday April 19th: Royston Town FC at 3pm

Saturday April 26th: Banbury United FC at 3pm

Forthcoming Away Matches:

Saturday 12th April: Bishop’s Stortford at 3pm