MATCH REPORT AFC SUDBURY vs KTFC 01 FEBRUARY 2025

MATCH SUMMARY:

A somewhat depleted Kettering squad today won this game with the only goal scored by substitute Terrell Pennant in the 5th minute of added time at the end of the game. The Poppies scored with their only effort on target. The home side had a good spell in the second part of the first half but failed to score with Kettering keeper, Dan Jezeph making a couple of notable saves. Much of the game was confined to the middle of the park and it was certainly no classic.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

For various reasons, the Poppies were missing Connor Johnson, Callum Powell, Isiah Noel-Williams, Devon Kelly-Evans, Harlain Mbayo and Declan Towers. Into the squad came Gary Stohrer, Luca Miller, new loan signing Alex Gudger, and onto the bench, the available Marvin Sordell.

THE TEAMS:

AFC SUDBURY:
1  James Bradbrook
2  Charlie Lewis
3  Ben Isaacson
6  Tom Dickens
7  Matthew Miles
8  Oli Peters
9  Joe Neal
12 Liam Pearce
14 Ben Bradley (4 Jake Turner,82)
18 Luca Terminiello (11 Callum Page,82)
20 Myles Cowling

Unused Substitutes:
13 Calum Mark Arnold (G/K)
17 Oliver Okeh

Yellow Cards: Bradley,76; Peters,90+7.

KETTERING TOWN

1  Dan Jezeph
2  Ben Hart (14 Marvin Sordell,64)
3  Aaron Powell
6  Alex Gudger
7  Wes York (19 Kai Fifield,64)
8  Andi Thanoj
11 Tyree Wilson (10 Terrell Pennant,75)
12 Lewis White
15 Gary Stohrer
17 Luca Miller
18 Jonathan Edwards (9 Nile Ranger,72)

Unused Substitutes:
None

Yellow Cards: Powell,57; Thanoj,81; Fifield,90+1

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

Overcast and cold conditions welcomed the teams on the Sudbury 3g surface.

The home side started the game with pace to try to unsettle the Poppies. However, they failed to create anything in front of goal and Kettering had the first chance in the 6th minute when Tyree Wilson sped down the left and his cross was put out for a corner. From the restart, a short corner was fed to Luca Miller but he spooned the shot over the bar.

The first real home threat came on the right with Liam Pearce whose dangerous low cross was hastily cleared. Now past the first quarter of an hour, and Miller got in a dangerous low cross from the left but the Referee’s whistle ended any Kettering threat. Most immediately, Andi Thanoj lost the ball in midfield and Lewis White got in a telling interception on Joe Neal’s shot.

A few minutes later, it was Ben Hart’s turn to clear a Neal cross and from the corner Alex Gudger blocked out another shot. Oli Peters could have done better with a clear opening but he screwed his shot well wide. For Kettering, Wilson fed another cross from the left which was hastily cleared away.

With 10 minutes left in the half, Sudbury put the Kettering defence under real pressure. Dan Jezeph had to dive to his left to push away Myles Cowling’s shot and the keeper then excelled as he saved point blank from Pearce. Cowling then fired wide from a good position and Neal, on the right,  shot wide of the left upright.

New signing, Alex Gudger, was organising the defence well although a final effort before the break saw Peters fire over the bar.

Half Time:

AFC  Sudbury    0    –    0     Kettering Town

There were no player changes at the start of the half.

Not a lot happened in the first 20 minutes of the half with both sides cancelling each other out and the ball was largely in the middle third of the pitch. Luca Terminiello hit a low cross from the left for ‘The Suds’ which drifted wide and visiting left back Aaron Powell earned himself a yellow card.

Kettering defender, Ben Hart, suffered an injury on 64 minutes which necessitated skipper, Gary Stohrer, to drop to right back with Marvin Sordell coming on in midfield. Kai Fifield replaced Wes York at the same time.

Pearce fired wide for Sudbury and Sordell did the same at the other end. Nile Ranger replaced Jonny Edwards in the 72nd minute and within a couple of minutes of the change had a good chance as he met Powell’s cross, but he headed over James Bradbrook’s bar.

Coming into the final 15 minutes of normal time the Poppies started to dominate. Terrell Pennant replaced Wilson and won a corner on the left which was hurriedly cleared away. Miller got in on the left along the goal line and saw his shot come off a defender.

There was certainly a different emphasis to the game and on 86 minutes, home defender Tom Dickens lost the ball to Ranger. As the striker closed in on goal to shoot, Dickens did extremely well to recover and prevent a shot on goal.

Luca Miller had a shot blocked and the home team, on a now brief visit into the Kettering penalty area, claimed a penalty as players clashed. However, the claims were denied.

6 minutes of added time were declared and the Poppies scored the winning goal in the penultimate minute. A superb 60-yard ball from Thanoj saw Pennant, on the left, race past his defender to plant a beautiful finish past Bradbrook.

AFC Sudbury  0  –  1  Kettering Town

In the final and ninth minute of added time Kai Fifield had a chance but shot wide.

The end analysis was that it was hard on Sudbury, but the Poppies stuck to their task and got the points.

Full Time:

AFC  Sudbury     0    –    1      Kettering Town

Attendance: 390 (Kettering fans estimated at100)

Referee: Craig Barnett ; Assistant Referees: Jack Good and Michael Wright

Poppies Media Kettering Town Man of the Match: Alex Gudger

FORTHCOMING HOME MATCHES:

Saturday February 8th: Barwell FC at 3pm

Tuesday February 25th: Halesowen Town at 7.45pm

Tuesday March 4th: Alvechurch FC at 7.45pm

FORTHCOMING AWAY MATCHES:

Tuesday 4th February: Banbury United at 7.45pm

Saturday 15th February: Stourbridge at 3pm

Friday 21st February: Bedford Town at 7.45pm

Saturday 1st March: Leiston at 3pm

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