There are not many games this season that produce the excitement and anticipation such as KTFC vs AFC Telford United. The game has the added spice of witnessing first vs third in the league and the Poppies are playing the team against whom they arguably had their best display this campaign with a 1-3 away win at the SEAH Stadium.

Following a positive performance on Tuesday and three points against Alvechurch, who were unbeaten at home for the past six games, the outcome of Saturday’s game is poised on a knife edge. With only seven games left, three away and four at home with a potential 21 points at stake, this game will provide a clear indication of where the Poppies may land come 26 April. Of the top five, the Poppies were the only team in midweek action and Saturday will witness the first vs third clash with and also fourth vs fifth Bedford Town vs AFC Stamford. Halesowen are away to Lowestoft Town and Stratford are at home against Biggleswade Town. There are only four points separating the top five as Halesowen, AFC Telford and Bedford Town, are all on 63 points.

AFC Telford meanwhile, are on a fantastic run with only one defeat in their last thirteen games most notably the 6-2 victory over promotion rivals Bedford Town. Over the last six games, Telford have three wins (2-0 AFC Sudbury; 3-1 Leiston; 2-1 Redditch Utd), and three draws (1-1 Bromsgrove away; 2-2 St Ives away and 2-2 Bishop’s Stortford away) scoring twelve goals conceding seven.

‘The Bucks’, under the managership of Kevin Wilkin, are the leagues’ away draw specialists with ten and reside in third place in the league. In the last six game league overall form guide, they are 5th in all games (12 points from a possible 18), home fourth place (having picked up 14 points from a possible 18) and 10th in the away form league (seven points from six games).

In contrast, two places and only one point separate the two teams. KTFC, with three wins in the last six games (Alvechurch 0-1; 2-1 Alvechurch; 0-2 Leiston; ) together with one loss (2-3 St Ives), and two draws (Halesowen Town 0-0; Lowestoft Town 0-0), reside in first place in the league. The Poppies sit 6th in the overall form guide have attained 11 points from a possible 18 (10th place for home form (10 from 18 points) and 6th position for away matches (10 points out of 18). Ben Hart is back from suspension. It’s going to be fantastic game at Latimer Park with all to play for. COYP!

AFC TELFORD UNITED

Season        V        Comp           F-A     Att:    Poppies Scorers

2007-08        H        BSN           3-0     2520   Robinson.2, Bridges

                     A        BSN           1-0     2818   Graham

2008-09        A        SSQF         2-3     874    Potter, Marna

                     H        FAT3          0-1     1692

2011-12        H        BSBP         2-1     949    Wyke, Joyce

                     A        BSBP         1-3     2035   Marna

2015-16        H        FAC2Q       2-1     693    Baker-Richardson.2

2019-20        H        VNLN        2-1     959    Carta, Nti

                     A        VNLN        1-3     1206   Sterling-James

2020-21        H        VNLN        0-0     514

                     A        VNLN        Void             Season Null & Void

2021-22        H        VNLN        2-2     605    Stead, Crawford

                     A        VNLN        2-2     1247   Crawford, Brown

2022-23        H        VNLN        2-0     472    Bennett, Oluwabori

                     A        VNLN        1-1     1038   Bennett

2023-24        H        PISPLC      1-3     604    Scott

                     A        PISPLC      0-4     1054

2024-25        A        PISLPC      3-1     1293   Edwards.2, Wilson

POPPIES WINS:     7  GOALS FOR:          23      

BUCKS WINS:        6                                        GOALS AGAINST:    24      

DRAWS                  4

Most goals in a game for the Poppies v AFC Telford United (2)

Anthony Robinson (2007-08), Courtney Baker-Richardson (2015-16), Jonny Edwards (2024-25).

Most goals in career Poppies v AFC Telford United (2)

Anthony Robinson, Jean-Paul Marna, Courtney Baker-Richardson, Jordon Crawford, Sam Bennett, Jonny Edwards

Played for both clubs (23)

Spencer Weir-Daley, Sam Smith, Matthew Barnes-Homer, Ellis Deeney, Nathan Fox, Craig Stanley, Elliott Hodge, Kyle Perry, Connor Johnson, Riccardo Calder, Lamie Sherif, Keaton Ward, Andre Wright, Nathan Fox, Orrin Pendley, Ethan Hill, George Forsyth, Ellis Myles, Tre Mitford, Kobe Chong, Alex Gudger, Kyle Storer, Sam McLintock.

Managed both clubs (1)

Mark Cooper

Kettering Town players sent off v AFC Telford United (3)

Lewis White            2023-24 (h)

Sam Cartwright       2020-21 (h)

Guy Branston          2008-09 (a) Setanta Shield

Poppies players who have scored against Kettering Town (2)

Stephan Morley, Orrin Pendley

AFC TELFORD UNITED

Manager                                     Kevin Wilkin           

Ground                                       New Bucks Head              

Position in League                     2^nd (63pts from 35 games)

Leading League scorer              (24) Matthew Stensen

FORM LAST 5                 

Form last Overall                          WDDWW      11pts 

Form last away                           DDDLD         4pts  

Form last home                            WWWDD      11pts

THE BUCKS SO FAR…