MATCH SUMMARY:
The Poppies suffered defeat for the second game running tonight, losing 2-1 at Barwell. All the goals came in the second period with Barwell taking the lead through Ollie Brown-Hill within three minutes of the restart. Kettering equalised from the spot as Jonny Edwards converted on 62 minutes and home veteran striker, Leroy Lita claimed the winner in added time, also from the penalty spot.
THE KETTERING SQUAD:
It was a depleted squad due to suspensions and injuries. Suspended were Devon Kelly-Evans serving the last of his three-match ban, and Ben Hart serving a one match ban. Andi Thanoj and Tyree Wilson were injured. Dan Jarvis, Bruno Andrade and Luca Miller all started.
THE TEAMS:
Barwell FC:
1 Will Highland
2 Judah Fridye-Harper
3 Olly Brown-Hill
4 Herve Pepe-Ngoma
6 Scott McManus
7 Dean Master (5 Riley Maloney,70)
8 Leroy Lita (16 Jordan Fankwe,90+5)
9 Kobe Arthur (12 Jack Rogers,84)
10 Brady Hickey (Captain)
11 Ethan Hill
18 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner
Unused Substitutes:
15 Labelled Ahmada
17 Carlos Greet
Yellow Cards:
Master,40; Pepe Ngoma,42;Fridye-Harper,75;Arthur,83;Moloney,90+6
KETTERING TOWN
13 Jason Alexander (1 Dan Jezeph,53)
3 Aaron Powell
5 Connor Johnson (Captain)
7 Wes York
10 Dan Jarvis (19 Kai Fifield,63)
12 Lewis White (14 Harlain Mbayo,90+7)
15 Gary Stohrer
16 Isiah Noel-Williams
17 Luca Miller (22 Gary Hooper,90+3)
18 Jonny Edwards
21 Bruno Andrade (9 Nile Ranger,63)
Unused Substitutes: None
Yellow cards: Johnson,40;Andrade,40;White,90+1;Edwards,90+5.
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:
It was a cold windy night on the 3g pitch at Barwell and the game kicked off in heavy swirling drizzle which quickly cleared.
Kettering were first to show as Dan Jarvis set up a shooting chance for Isiah Noel-Williams which was put out for what was to be a fruitless corner. Barwell countered with a shot from Deen Master which Jason Alexander saved.
Luca Miller then set up a chance for Bruno Andrade which resulted in a second unproductive corner before Barwell almost struck the first blow on 10 minutes. An almighty goalmouth scramble saw Master rattle the bar with a shot, and fortunately for Kettering, Wes York cleared the next effort off the line. From the ensuing corner, home skipper, Brady Hickey fired wide.
Hickey followed this up with a direct attempt from a free kick which was charged down by the defensive wall.
The first of a number of questionable decisions from the Referee came on 20 minutes as Noel-Williams burst clear on goal and as he shaped to shoot at goal, the Referee awarded Kettering a free kick for an initial offence some 20 yards back! From this set piece, Connor Johnson rattled the bar with a firm strike.
Noel-Williams again forced his way through a few minutes later, and did get his shot in, but it was well wide. Another good Kettering attack saw Jonny Edwards miscue from a good position. He followed this up in the next attack with a shot on goal which did not trouble home keeper, Will Highland.
As the game deteriorated in quality ex Poppy, Ethan Hill saw his shot drift over the top.
Half Time:
Barwell FC 0 – 0 Kettering Town
There were no player changes at half time.
Barbell took the lead from nowhere three minutes into the half. A somewhat speculative low left foot shot by Olly Brown-Hill from fully 35 yards saw Alexander make a complete hash of the save as the ball went in just inside the right post.
Barwell 1 – 0 Kettering
Alexander soon departed with what looked like an ankle injury to be replaced by Dan Jezeph.
Hickey got in another shot which went wide before Kettering equalised in the 60th minute. Bruno Andrade saw his shot saved, and as Edwards pounced on the rebound, he was fouled by Scott McManus for a penalty. McManus received no caution that could be seen. Edwards got up to convert the spot kick.
Barwell 1 – 1 Kettering
Kai Fifield who had come on for Jarvis on 63 minutes nearly had an immediate impact as he raced in on goal only to he halted for offside.
Hickey was still trying for Barwell though and another shot was deflected over the bar. Brown-Hill shot again, this time well over the bar, and Leroy Lit a fired over as Barwell looked to win the game as the clock passed the 75 minute mark.
Kettering came back strongly though with Edwards seeing one shot blocked, a second and great chance putting his left foot drive across goal but past the right post and a third shot going wide as substitute, Nile Ranger laid the ball to him
The winner for Barwell in the first minute of added time came from the penalty spot. Lewis White came across to tackle a Barwell player and, the writer having a good view, saw the defender opt out of the tackle. As the attacker fell, the Referee pointed to the spot and White was cautioned for his protest.
Lita stepped up to convert the penalty giving Jezeph no chance.
In the remainder of added time, White had to leave the field with what looked like a bad facial injury.
Full Time:
Barwell FC 2 – 1 Kettering Town
Attendance: 415 (Kettering fans and officials estimated at 165)
Referee: Brandon Scaife ;Assistant Referees: Jake Richards and Kieron Rogers.
Poppies Media Kettering Town Man of the Match: Lewis White
FORTHCOMING HOME GAMES:
Saturday December 14th: Bishop Stortford at 3pm
Thursday December 26th (Boxing Day): Biggleswade Town at 3pm
Forthcoming Away games:
Saturday 21st December at Spalding United at 3pm
Saturday 28th December at Stratford Town at 3pm
Wednesday 1st January at Harborough Town at 3pm
