After three pitch inspections, two revised kick-off times and one biblical downpour, last Saturday’s postponed game has led to the away fixture at Bishop’s Stortford being only our second game in 2026 for the Poppies.

The Blues, fresh from a creditable 0-0 draw last Saturday away at Redditch, are on a good run in the league picking up points both home and away. They have only lost once in their last five Southern League Premier Central outings (2-1 away to Royston Town) securing two wins (0-2 away at AFC Sudbury; 2-1 at home against Bromsgrove) and two draws (1-1 at Alvechurch; 0-0 away at Redditch United). Bishop’s Stortford, managed by Steve Castle, are six places above KTFC in the form league in ninth with eight points from their previous five games. However, they are in eleventh place in the comparative home standings having achieved nineteen points from thirteen games. This leaves ‘The Blues’ in eleventh place on thirty-five points.

The Poppies have shipped twelve goals in our last five games resulting in a single win (3-0 against Royston Town) two draws (3-3 at home to Bury Town and 1-1 away at Halesowen) and two defeats (away at Harborough Town 4-2 and last Saturday’s loss at Leiston 4-1).

Kettering are fifteenth in the form table taking five points from a possible fifteen points in our past five matches but are fourteenth in the overall away form table securing fourteen points from thirteen games. The Club’s recent form leaves the club residing in twelfth place with thirty-two points, with the gap widening to ten points off the playoff places and seven points away from the relegation zone.  

With Rowe returning to the squad after his suspension and the signing of midfielder Ryan Inman, KTFC are back up to full strength for this Saturday’s game. Nevertheless, the Poppies can be optimistic going into the match with The Blues as, whilst results have not always been favourable, there have been some good performances in recent games.  

League leaders, Spalding United are at home to Banbury, The Bees are also at home in a difficult match against Leiston, Halesowen travel to St Ives, Needham Market play the much improved Stamford and Real Bedford entertain Worcester City who lost to Stamford at the weekend.   

On the pitch, the Poppies will be looking for their first win of 2026, let’s get behind Liam and the team.

Enjoy the game.

COYP!       

BISHOP’S STORTFORD

Season        V        Comp           F-A     Att:    Poppies Scorers

2003-04        H        RPL              3-2     821     Difante.3

                     A        RPL              1-4     561     Fewings

2008-09        H        SS2              4-2     450     Marna, Seddon.2, Potter

2017-18        H        ESP              6-0     558     Stevens.2, O’Connor.2, Solkhon (p), Pendley

                     A        ESP              2-0     355     O’Connor, Hoenes

2024-25        H        PISLPC        2-1     964     Edwards,2(1p)

                     A        PISLPC        2-0     664     Ranger (p), Pennant

2025-26        H        PISLPC        3-1     960     Loza, Ranger, Fatadjo

POPPIES WINS:      7                                       GOALS FOR:                    23

BISHOPS WINS:     1                                        GOALS AGAINST:              10

DRAWS                  0

POPPIES STATS: 

Highest home win:             6-0     2017-18 (ESP)

Highest away win:              2-0     2017-18 (ESP), 2024-25 (PISLPC)               

Highest away defeat:         1-4     2003-04 (RPL)       

Highest home attendance: 964     2024-25 (PISLPC)

Lowest home attendance:  450     2008-09 (SS2)

Highest away attendance:  664     2024-25(PISLPC)

Lowest away attendance:   355    2017-18 (ESP)       

Most goals in a game for the Poppies v Bishop’s Stortford (3)

Chris Difante (2003-04)

Most goals in career Poppies v Bishop’s Stortford (3)

Chris Difante, Aaron O’Connor.

Played for both clubs (13)

Goalkeepers

Al James Hannigan, Rob Gould, Roy Essandoh, Jordan Fowler, Ellis Remy, Chris Arthur, Aldi Haxhia, Andrew Burns, Lewis Wilson, Ryan Charles, Michael Richens, Aaron Powell (loan), Jonny Edwards.

League debuts (4)

Caden Voice           20:09:25 (h)

Ismael Fatadjo         20:09:25 (h) scored on debut

Askum White           20:09:25 (h)

Lee Howey              03:01:04 (a)

Club debuts (1)

Joe Power               21:10:08 (h)  League Cup

Bishop’s Stortford players sent off v Kettering Town (2)

Marvel Ekpiteta       2017-18 (h)

Rashawn Scott        2024-25 (h)

BISHOP’S STORTFORD

Manager                           Steve Castle

Ground                             Dunmore Road

Nickname                         The Blues

Position in League           11^th – 35pts from 24 games

Top League scorer           8 – Saleem Akanbi

FORM

Poppies       DDWLL        5pts

Bishops         DWLWD       8pts

THE BISHOP’S SO FAR…….