Our post Christmas match on the road takes us to Shakespeare country with an away fixture against Stratford Town FC. The Bards, who are currently fourth in the league with 36 points and a plus 9 goal difference take on the league leaders the Poppies who are four point clear with a game in hand on second place Halesowen.

Stratford have only lost once in their last five outings 2-3 at home to Bromsgrove, winning four beating Alvechurch away 1-2 on Boxing Day, Stamford way 0-2, Bishop’s Stortford at home 1-0 and Hitchin away 0-1. Kettering meanwhile, fresh from their 3-1 win at home to Biggleswade Town, look to achieve some consistency at the half way point of the season with important matches against Harborough Town and Halesowen looming on the horizon. Should be a great match. Enjoy the game. COYP!

STRATFORD TOWN            

Season                   V        Comp           F-A     Att:    Poppies Scorers

2015-16        H        ESP             3-1     467     Popa, Weir-Daley, Carvalho

                     A        ESP             1-2     418     Mulligan

                     A        RIC1             3-3*    132     Sandy, Baker-Richardson, Kinniburgh

2016-17        H        ESP              0-3     430

                     A        ESP              1-4     309     Baker

2017-18        H        ESP              2-0     508     Stevens, Howe

                     A        ESP              4-0     248     Solkhon, Richens, Stevens, O’Connor

2018-19        H        ESLSCP       5-1     660     Hoenes.2, Solkhon, O’Connor, Stanley

                     A        ESLSCP       3-1     396     Milnes, Stohrer, Kelly-Evans

                     A        CSSCC4       3-3+   116     Hoenes, Graham.2

2023-24        H        PISLPC        1-0     612     Jarvis

                     A        PISLPC        0-2     983

2024-25        H        PISLPC        1-1     912     York

* lost 4-5 on penalties

+ lost 1-4 on penalties

POPPIES WINS:  6     GOALS FOR: 27

BARDS WINS:        6                                        GOALS AGAINST:              21      

DRAWS                  1

POPPIES STATS: 

Highest home win:               5-1   2018-19 (ESLSPC) 

Highest away win:                4-0   2017-18 (ESP)

Highest home defeat:           0-3    2016-17 (ESP)

Highest away defeat:           1-4    2016-17 (ESP)

Highest home attendance: 912    2024-25 (PISLPC)

Lowest home attendance:        430         2016-17 (ESP)

Highest away attendance:  983    2023-24 (PISLPC)

Lowest away attendance:         116         2018-19 (CSSCCQF)

Most goals in a game for the Poppies v Stratford Town (2)

Luke Graham, Rhys Hoenes (2018-19)

Most goals in career Poppies v Stratford Town (3)

Rhys Hoenes

Managers (1)

Carl Adams.

Managed both clubs (1)

Thomas Baillie.

STRATFORD TOWN – THE LAST 5 SEASONS

                         LEAG           P        W       D        L        F        A    PTS    POS

2023-24        PISLPC        40       21       6        13       69       57    69       6^th

2022-23        PISLPC        42       13       13       16       58       70    52       14^th

2021-22        PISLPC        40       13       8        19       48       70    47       13^th

2020-21*       PISLPC        8        5        0        3        17       16    15       3^rd

2019-20*       BVSLPC       33       8        4        21       42       74    28       18^th

* Season null & void -Covid-19

Manager – Gavin Hurren

Ground – Arden Garages Stadium

Position in league – 4^th (36pts from 21 games)

Leading league scorer – (8) Callum Ebanks

Form last 5 home –  LWLDD

THE BARDS SO FAR…