With all of the top five teams seemingly intent on doing their best to avoid promotion to the Vanarama National League, Kettering’s midweek 1-0 loss to in form Banbury United, following a wonder strike from former Poppy Harry Reilly, could be seen as lost opportunity. However, whilst strong in defence, Poppies frailty upfront, diminished striker confidence and a three match losing streak does little for a positive approach for Saturday’s game. Nevertheless, Kettering are still in the race which makes the visit of Barwell on Saturday another important match in our push for promotion.

Barwell meanwhile, come into this game with a six game losing streak shipping 13 goals scoring five and wining only two matches securing a single draw (2-2 Harborough) over their past ten games. Ironically, their wins came against KTFC’s last opponents Banbury (1-2). and the Poppies themselves, (2-1) on 9th December 2024.

‘The Canaries’, under the stewardship of Jimmy Ginnelly, fresh from a 0-1 home loss against Bedford conceding a goal from ex-Poppy Andrade, lie 21st in the last six league overall form guide, 18th in the home and away form league ( having picked up zero points from a possible 18). However, despite their recent performance and position in the relegation zone, , Barwell are a tough side and apart from the 0-3 game against Royston and the 2-0 defeat at Hitchin, have only lost to a single goal over the past ten games.

In contrast, whilst 15 places and 18 points separate the two teams, KTFC, with four losses and a win, have climbed to 14th in the league form guide attaining 5 points from a possible 18 (3rd place for home form and 14th position for away matches 5 points out of 18). Remarkably, the Poppies maintain in fifth place in the league albeit with three games in hand and four points adrift of the current leaders AFC Telford. With home advantage, KTFC may have the upper hand however, a win is a must for the Poppies. Get Behind the Team. COYP!

BARWELL

Season          V        Comp           F-A     Att:    Poppies Scorers

2012-13        H        ESP*            1-2     198     Hicks

                     A        ESP              2-1     208     Wilson.2

2018-19        H        ESLSPC       0-1     1039

                     A        ESLSPC       1-0     454     Kelly

                     H       CSSCC3+     1-1     111     Holman

2022-23        A        FAC2Q         4-1     402     Gascoigne, Sheriff.3

2023-24        H        PISLPC        2-1     857     Yussuf.2

                     A        PISLPC        2-3     428     White, Lewthwaite

2024-25        A        PISLPC        1-2     415     Edwards

* Played at Corby Town

+ Poppies won 4-3 on penalties

Most goals in a game for the Poppies v Barwell (3)

Decarrey Sheriff (2022-23)

Played for both clubs (31)                                                  

Goalkeepers

Martin Roderick, Jamie Towers, Liam McDonald, Nick Green, Adam Cunnington, Denham Hinds, Iyseden Christie, Justin Marsden, Michael Harding, Craig Hill, Ben Baker, Jonathan Thorpe, Declan Towers, Spencer Weir-Daley, Liam Canavan, Jahvan Davidson-Miller, Henry Eze, Craig Stanley, Kyle Perry, Joel Carta, Ben Stephens, Herve Pepe-N’Goma, Brad Gascoigne, Janos Bodnar, Josh Flanagan, Exodus Geohaghon, Dan Holman, Ethan Hill, Kobe Chong, Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Lamine Sherif.

BARWELL

Manager – Jimmy Ginnelly

Ground – UK Flooring Direct Stadium, Kirby Road.

Position in League – 19^th (29pts from 28 games)

Leading League scorer – (9) Brady Hickey

Form            (last 5)          LLLLL          0pts

Form away   (last 5)          LLLLW         3pts

Form home (last 5)          LLDLW        4pts

Equal bottom of the form table with Lowestoft Town = 0 pts

THE CANARIES SO FAR