It seems a long time since we have a game given the rearranged fixtures and international break. However, we’re back and what a game to look forward on Tuesday where the Poppies travel to the Sir Halley Stewart Field to play Spalding United in deepest Lincolnshire under the lights and on their new 3G pitch.

Liam McDonald, still unbeaten in his new role as KTFC First Team Manager, has had valuable time and put in the hard yards into training over the intervening period since our superb 0-2 away win on November 8 to promotion chasing rivals Quorn. Goals from Ishmael Fatadjo and an absolute ‘worldie’ from Preston Bitemo, one of the flurry of new signings which included defender Lewis Coyle and James Clifton, hot on the heels with the arrival of Kai Williams and Ryan Mungo, secured an excellent victory.   

Whilst we have been away from league action, places have been changing faster than the UK weather. Twelve points now separate the top ten teams and Kettering reside in eleventh place with twenty-four points three points off the playoff places (Quorn fifth place on twenty-seven) although KTFC have a game in hand. League leaders Harborough Town play Quorn, in form Real Bedford travel to Bury Town and Redditch United do not have a game on Tuesday.

Spalding United have made an excellent start to the league campaign lying in second place with thirty-one points from sixteen games, having played two more than league leaders Harborough Town who lead by a point. However, their form of late has not been stellar, two wins (0-2 Alvechurch away; 4-0 at home to Royston Town), two draws (1-1 at home against Quorn and a last gasp 2-2 at Halesowen Town last time out) and a loss 2-3 away at St Ives sandwiched between a surprise loss at Corby Town 0-1 in the FA Trophy. In the form table, the Tulips are sixth over the past five games as they have taken eight points from a possible fifteen and eighteenth overall taking seven points from four home games. In contrast, the Poppies are in twelfth place taking seven points overall but lie sixth in the away form table with thirteen points from seven matches.  With the prolific goals scorers Cybulski and Roberts, both on ten goals this season, it’s a tough task for KTFC this Tuesday to come away with a result.

Nevertheless, in the last five games, Poppies form has improved with one draw (0-0 at home vs St Ives) two losses (0-1 Needham Market; 4-0 Redditch Untied) and two away wins (0-2 Quorn and Banbury 0-2). Whilst the changes in the squad continue, with Flynn going out on loan (Clifton may not be available to play against his parent club) and Forde joining St Ives, McDonald has a strong line up to choose from with the visit to Spalding.

The Poppies will be looking for revenge for the league defeat in the corresponding fixture in the 2-4 at Latimer Park. However, given Spalding will be fielding a few ex Poppies combined with their firepower up front, we’re expecting an explosive encounter in Lincolnshire.     

Enjoy the game.

 SPALDING UNITED

Season        V        Comp           F-A     Att:    Poppies Scorers

1931-32        H        NLD1            2-1     426     Starmer, Cullip

                     A        NLD1            2-3                Linnell, Cullip

                     A        NLD1            2-0                Linnell, Brown

1932-33        H        NLD1           12-0     1235   Dunkley, Starmer.4, Loasby.4, Sparkes.2,                                                                Richardson

                     A        NLD1            3-0                Linnell, Loasby, Richardson

                     A        NLD1            4-1                Cullip, Dunkley, Linnell, Richardson

1935-36        H        UCL              6-1     930    Smith, Starsmore, Goode, Linnell.2, OG

                     A        UCL              2-4                Dunkley, Chapman

1936-37        H        UCL              3-0     447    Orton.2, ……..?

                     A        UCL              2-1                Orton.2

1937-38        H        UCL              6-3     506    Clark, Starmer, Garvey.2, Carr.2

                     A        UCL              2-3                Garvey.2

                     H        UCC2           2-3     607    Garvey.2

1938-39        H        UCL              1-0   1126   Carr

                     A        UCL              3-2                Carr.3

                     H        EML              5-0     945    Edwards, Robinson.2, Cawdell.2

                     A        EML              2-1                Riches, Edwards

                     H        UCC2           6-3     1075   Riches, Linnell.2, McCool, Toseland.2

1951-52        A        FAC1Q         7-1     5385   Barron, Nelson.2, Stenhouse,

Reynolds.2, Puplett

1956-57        A        FAC1Q         2-3     4094   Prosser, Lawton

1958-59        A        FAC1Q         6-4     3126   Dadswell, Draper.2, Froggatt.3

1961-62        H        EAC3            1-2     2050   Smith

1972-73        A        FACPL          2-0     652     Goodall, Atkinson

2021-22        A        FAC2Q         1-1     562     Ofosu

                     H        FAC2QR       2-0     582     Ofosu, Sheriff

2024-25        H        PISLPC        4-0     898     York.2, Wilson, Fifield

                     A        PISLPC        1-1     935     Johnson

2025-26        H        PISLPC        2-4     1002   Ranger.2

POPPIES WINS:     19                                      GOALS FOR:                     97

TULIPS WINS:        7                                        GOALS AGAINST:            42

DRAWS                  2

Most goals in a game for the Poppies v Spalding United (4)

Fred Starmer & Harry Loasby (1932-33)

Most Career goals v Spalding United (8)

Alex Linnell

Played for both clubs (45)

Managers (4)

Dominic Genovese (both clubs), Mark Hone, Pat Rayment, Elliott Sandy.

Club Debuts (2)

Daniel Emovon        13:08:24 (h)

Alex Brown              18:09:21 (a)  FA Cup 2QR

Kettering Town players sent off against Spalding United (1)

Connor Johnson

Manager                                     Jimmy Dean

Ground                                       Sir Halley Stewart Field

Nickname                                   Tulips

Position in League                     2^nd – 31pts from 16 games

Top League scorer                     10 – Roberts & Bart Cybulski

Form last 5 league games          WWDLD – 8pts

TULIPS SO FAR…