MATCH SUMMARY:
The Poppies were expected to be tested tonight at AFC Telford who were just behind them in the League table. However, the visitors dominated large parts of the game and in the end, ran out comfortable winners. Jonny Edwards again scored twice in the 12th and 61st minutes with Tyree Wilson notching a goal in between just on half time. Former Poppy, Orrin Pendley scored what was to be a consolation goal for the Bucks on79 minutes.
THE KETTERING SQUAD:
Clear squad rotation was in place tonight. Starting were Connor Johnson, back from suspension, Wes York, Andi Thanoj and Luca Miller. Harlain Mbayo dropped out with injury, and Nile Ranger, Isiah Noel-Williams and Gary Stohrer were on the bench.
THE TEAMS:
AFC Telford United:
1 Brandon Hall
2 Jordan Piggott
3 Jordan Cranson
5 Orrin Pendley
6 Alex Gudger (14 Kyle Stohrer,46)
7 Remi Walker
8 Sam Whittall (Captain)
9 Matthew Stenson (16 Reece Styche,68)
10 Richard Dinanga
11 Byron Moore
18 James Armson (17 Ellis Brown,55)
Unused Substitutes:
12 Rhys Hilton
15 Steffan Jones
Yellow Cards: Stenson,45;Cranston,90+5
KETTERING TOWN
1 Dan Jezeph
2 Ben Hart
3 Aaron Powell
4 Devon Kelly-Evans (15 Gary Stohrer,73)
5 Connor Johnson (Captain)
7 Wes York (10 Dan Jarvis,69)
8 Andi Thanoj
11 Tyree Wilson (9 Nile Ranger,73)
12 Lewis White
17 Luca Miller (16 Isiah Noel-Williams,86)
18 Jonny Edwards (20 Gary Hooper,89)
Unused Substitutes: None
Yellow Cards: Johnson,90; Noel-Williams,90+3; Jarvis,90+6
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:
It was a crisp evening at the New Bucks Head with the pitch looking good.
The Bucks were the first to show with Richard Dinanga shooting over after a shot was blocked. The first few minutes saw the ball in both penalty areas as the teams tested each other out. Wes York, playing down the right, got a dangerous looking cross which was hastily cleared, and as Lewis White slipped on the wet surface there was a moment of danger before the ball was cleared.
Telford’s recent signing from Redditch, Jordan Cranston, had a 30-yard effort go high and wide. With the game still only 6 minutes old, Jonny Edwards ran on to a loose ball and his volley drifted just wide. Six minutes later, and not to be outdone, Edwards scored. A flowing move saw Tyree Wilson with space on the left and his low cross found Edwards to the right of the goal and he shaped well to drill the ball low past Brandon Hall and in at the left post.
12 minutes : AFC Telford 0 – 1 Kettering Town
The goal spurred on the Poppies and, in quick succession, Devon Kelly-Evans saw his shot blocked; Williams crossed to Luca Miller whose shot was deflected for a corner and Edwards sent a direct free kick over the bar. Still only on 22 minutes, Edwards’ left foot rocket saw Hall tip the ball over the top corner. it was a fantastic save.
Telford tried to respond but Remi Walker’s shot from 25 yards was wild. Byron Moore’s searching cross was cleared away by Ben Hart and, for Kettering, Miller saw his low shot saved by Hall. Hall again had to be sharp to come off his line to beat Andi Thanoj to a through ball and, on the ground, he spilled the ball and a defender cleared.
With the game was nearing half time, Devon Kelly-Evans got away down the right to force what was to be a fruitless corner. From the restart, Telford broke out of defence and looked to be in on goal, but Wes York, chasing back, came from nowhere to make a great saving tackle.
York was soon back at the other end as he got away on the right, got his cross in, and with the home defence failing to clear, Wilson ran on to fire a right foot shot past Hall.
45 minutes : AFC Telford Utd 0 – 2 Kettering Town
There was just time for Hall to save another Edwards shot.
Half Time:
AFC Telford United 0 – 2 Kettering Town
The only player change after the break saw Kyle Stohrer replace the injured Alex Gudger.
The Poppies started well in the second period. After just five minutes, Edwards turned well to shoot from a few yards out. However, his shot was deflected narrowly past the post. Edwards then turned provider as his low cross from the right found Luca Miller, with his shot going just the wrong side of the right post.
Cranston’s 57th minute free kick was held by Dan Jezeph, his first test of the game. Just four minutes later it was 3-0. Ben Hart created space on the right to cross and Edwards planted the header past Hall.
61 minutes: AFC Telford United 0 – 3 Kettering Town
Telford made two further substitutions to try to respond. Jezeph saved Walker’s free kick and Reece Styche, on for Matty Stenson, put a left foot shot wide. Jezeph was tested by a low Cranston free kick and, diving to his right, he pushed away the effort.
The Bucks did pull a goal back after 79 minutes as Orrin Pendley planted a firm header into goal to reduce the deficit.
79 minutes: AFC Telford United 1 – 3 Kettering Town
The final 10 minutes, and 9 minutes of added time, saw Telford have their best spell of the game, which became heated at times with the Referee showing 4 yellow cards.
Hart blocked Walker’s shot and Styche headed wide from a Dinanga cross. Kettering saw the game out and could even have had another goal as Gary Hooper looked to go clear but was dispossessed.
In the end, a comfortable victory for the hard-working Poppies against serious title contenders.
Full Time:
AFC Telford United 1 – 3 Kettering Town
Attendance: 1293 (Kettering fans and officials estimated at 160)
Referee: Tom Wall ;Assistant Referees: Stephen Chawner-Bowers and Richard Booth.
Poppies Media Kettering Town Man of the Match: Jonny Edwards
FORTHCOMING HOME GAMES:
Saturday 16th November: Bedford Town at 3pm
Saturday 23rd November: Leiston at 3pm
Sunday December 1st: Doncaster Rovers at 12 noon (all ticket)
Saturday December 14th: Bishop Stortford at 3pm
Saturday December 26th: Biggleswade Town at 3pm
Forthcoming Away games:
Saturday 7th December at Banbury United at 3pm
Saturday 21st December at Spalding United at 3pm
