He’s Back He Scored We’re Top: Match Report Alvechurch

Match Report Alvechurch 180325 | Kettering Town FC

MATCH SUMMARY:

The Poppies earned a hard fought but deserved win tonight at Alvechurch. In a much better performance, the game was decided on 81 minutes as the returning Luca Miller scored the only goal of the game to send Kettering to the top of the table. This was the Church’s first home loss of 2025.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

Lewis White and Luca Miller started with Kyle Storer and Fin Wilkinson reverting to the substitutes bench. White was at right back with Wes York operating in midfield on the left.

THE TEAMS:

Alvechurch:
1 Ben Cisse
2 Josh Dugmore (18 Taylor Dodd,83)
5 Krystian Pearce (Captain)
6 Finley Howell (12 Amman Dyer,48)
7 Bradley Stretton (11 Marvellous Onabirekhanlen,83)
8 Joseph Willis
9 Dan Sweeney
10 Dylan Barkers
14 Callum Sullivan
16 Jonathan Ngandu (20 Erik Savkin,78)
17 Archie Crowther

Unused Substitute:
19 Dieter Schwarm

Yellow Card: Willis,61.

KETTERING TOWN:

1 Dan Jezeph
3 Aaron Powell
5 Connor Johnson (Captain)
6 Alex Gudger
7 Wes York
8 Andi Thanoj
11 Luca Miller
12 Lewis White
14 Sam McLintock
18 Jonny Edwards (9 Nile Ranger,78)
19 Kai Fifield (10 Terell Pennant,69

Unused Substitutes:
15 Kyle Storer
16 Finley Wilkinson
20 Cyrus Babaie

Yellow Card: Gudger,74

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

After a lovely sunny day in Worcestershire the evening was chilly and the pitch was going to be testing in places.

On loan home keeper, Ben Cisse, was soon out of his goal to collect a Kettering through ball and a couple of Poppies free kicks into the home penalty area were both cleared. Kai Fifield, operating on the right, put in a low cross and Luca Miller made good contact but his shot was blocked.

Fifield was down in the penalty on 9 minutes but the Referee was unmoved. A couple of minutes later Church had their first foray into the visitors’ penalty area, a free kick which was cleared. They followed this up with Callum Sullivan’s low cross from the left which was diverted to what was a fruitless corner.

Cisse was called into action on 14 minutes as he saved well from a Jonny Edwards piledriver. Wes York then put in a searching cross from the left which was just too far in front of his teammates. With Kettering still calling the tune, Miller’s turn and shot fell gently to Cisse.

Kettering kept coming and Fifield’s low cross found Edwards who could not get enough on the shot to trouble Cisse. Edwards then got in another shot which was easy for the home keeper.

Cisse then held Alex Gudger’s header from a free kick, and a rare home attack saw Stretton put his free kick well over the bar. As the game passed the half hour mark, there was a chance for Kettering again, but both Edwards and Fifield were unable to get a shot on goal.

There was then a period of midfield mediocrity as the team’s cancelled each other out.

The last action of the half saw Miller’s header from a free kick gratefully collected by Cisse.

Half Time:

Alvechurch 0 – 0 Kettering Town

No changes were made by either side at the start of the half but within three minutes Ammar Dyer replaced the injured Fin Howell for Church.

Kettering had a great chance to open the scoring in the 52nd minute as Fifield found Edwards with a cross from the right but the header was just over the bar. Church replied with a Dan Sweeney shot which was easy for Dan Jezeph.

The Poppies were still asking the questions as Andi Thanoj lashed a shot into the side netting after a flowing move and Miller shot over the bar in the next attack.

Jezeph made a routine save from Brad Stretton and substitute Ammar Dyer saw his shot picked up by the Kettering stopper.

On 63 minutes, the Poppies had a great chance to open the scoring. York got the better of his man on the left to get clear on goal but missed his kick as he shaped to shoot past Cisse. Then Miller saw a shot saved.

The Poppies were still controlling the game and with Terell Pennant replacing Fifield, he won a corner from which Miller’s cross was headed by York and Cisse saved. York was then upended in the box but the Referee saw no foul.

Nile Ranger replaced Edwards in the 78th minute and within three minutes set up what was to be the winning goal. Ranger won the ball in the air and dropping for Miller, there was work to do as he turned to make a left foot shot. Cisse got something on the ball but could not stop it going over the line to the joy of the travelling fans behind the goal.

Alvechurch 0 – 1 Kettering (81 minutes)

The Poppies comfortably managed the remaining minutes with no scares and now stand at the top of the league table with a crucial home game against near rivals AFC Telford coming this Saturday. This is one not to miss….

Full Time:

Alvechurch 0 – 1 Kettering Town

Attendance: 363 (Kettering fans estimated at 100)

Referee: Jamie Conde; Assistant Referees: Kieron Rogers and Alexander Richards

Poppies Media Kettering Town Man of the Match: Luca Miller (with Wes York and Lewis White making notable contributions to a good team performance).

FORTHCOMING HOME MATCHES:

Saturday March 22nd: AFC Telford United at 3pm

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 29th March: Stamford AFC at 3pm