MATCH SUMMARY:
The Poppies stormed into the Emirates FA Cup First Round with a convincing win today at higher ranked Farsley Celtic. A very early second minute goal from Wes York saw the visitors totally dominate the first period when the scoreline could easily have been doubled or trebled with 12 efforts on goal compared to just one from the Celts. Farsley equalised in the 56th minute with their only shot on target of the half through Darren Stephenson. The home side was reduced to 10 men when skipper Conor Branson was dismissed for a dangerous challenge on Devon Kelly-Evans, and the Poppies took full advantage with Isiah Noel-Williams scoring the winner in the 3rd minute of added time.
THE KETTERING SQUAD:
Injuries to Dan Jarvis and Kai Fifield prevented their inclusion in the squad. Bruno Andrade was serving the first of a three-match ban. Returning from injury were Devon Kelly-Evans and Isiah Noel-Williams and Huw Dawson was fit enough to make his first appearance in the squad this season.Luca Miller reverted to the bench.
THE TEAMS:
FARSLEY CELTIC:
1 Tom Wooster
5 Rudy Misambo
6 Conor Branson (Captain)
7 Ryan Watson
10 Ben Atkinson
11 Darren Stephenson
20 Tom Allan
21 DJ Campton-Sturridge (17 Dylan Youmbi 73)
22 Danny Greenfield
23 Bailey Sloane
24 Cole Hyde
Unused Substitutes:
3 Lewis Turner
15 Sam Fielding
18 Manasse Kampala
19 Robbie Fox
Yellow Card: Misambo,64
Red Card: Branson,82.
KETTERING TOWN
1 Dan Jezeph
2 Ben Hart
3 Aaron Powell
4 Devon Kelly-Evans
5 Connor Johnson (Captain)
7 Wes York
8 Andi Thanoj
9 Nile Ranger
12 Lewis White (Harlain Mbayo,90)
11 Tyree Wilson
16 Isiah Noel-Williams
Unused Substitutes:
13 Jason Alexander (G/K)
15 Huw Dawson
17 Luca Miller
20 Daniel Emovon
Yellow Cards: Johnson,76; Lavery,86
Red Card: Cherry,86
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:
The pitch at Guiseley’s Nethermoor Park was in fantastic condition as the game kicked off in sunlight, which was soon to turn to a period of heavy rain.
The Poppies started on the front foot and soon forced a corner on the right. The delivery was headed away, to be quickly recycled on the right, and Andi Thanoj’s cross was met by a glancing header from Wes York past the diving Tom Wooster in just the second minute.
Farsley Celtic 0 – 1 Kettering Town
The Celts responded a few minutes later in their first real attack, forcing a corner which was cleared as the heavy rain came down. The now moist surface saw home skipper Conor Branson scythe York’s cross just over his own crossbar albeit the resultant corner came to nothing.
The Poppies were blooming now with flowing attacking football which threatened more goals. On 14 minutes, Isiah Noel-Williams drifted past his man on the left, crossed low for Nile Ranger whose shot was blocked. From the subsequent corner, Lewis White’s overhead kick destined for the goal came off a defender’s head for a second corner, with White heading this one wide.
Ben Hart was finding space on the right and from his cross, Wooster collected at the second attempt.
As Farsley finally got forward, Connor Johnson got in a great interception to prevent a goal attempt. Now on 21 minutes, home striker, Darren Stephenson managed a shot on target which rolled gently to Dan Jezeph in the Kettering six-yard box. The next minute saw Wooster just get to a Devon Kelly-Evans shot and from the corner Wooster collected Ranger’s header.
The game then settled with Kettering controlling well and preventing any goal attempts from the Celts. Solid play in midfield backed up with good defending meant Jezeph’s goal was well protected at this stage.
The Poppies came again though with Kelly-Evans leading the new onslaught and after a Thanoj free kick was partially cleared, Kelly-Evans saw his shot deflect off a defender for a fruitless corner. Kelly-Evans then saw another low shot go just past the right post.
Kettering could have scored again on 40 minutes. Ty Wilson got away on the left and his low cross caused panic in the home defence with Ranger trying to force the ball in. As the ball ran loose, Noel-Williams had what looked like an easy chance in front of goal a few yards out- but off balance, and falling, he put the shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
As the half came to a close, Thanoj’s 30-yard free kick was inches over the bar, and another Kelly-Evans shot was just wide.
Half Time:
Farsley Celtic 0 – 1 Kettering Town
There were no player changes at half time. The sun came out and was in Kettering faces as the game recommenced.
Farsley made some changes to their formation, which was to help them a little. However, it was Kettering again asking questions as Thanoj took a free kick on the left, which was too long, and the same player shot over after another flowing move.
However, on 56 minutes and, out of nowhere, Farsley equalised. Darren Stephenson wiggled past two tackles and ran clear in a central position to poke the ball past the advancing Jezeph.
Farsley Celtic 1 – 1 Kettering Town
It was not long before the Poppies got back on the front foot. Home defender Rudy Misambo was cautioned for a foul on 63 minutes and the resulting free kick from Thanoj was headed over his own bar by Ben Atkinson. Then York’s run and cross was scrambled away for a corner, which saw Wooster having to punch the ball away from under the crossbar.
The Poppies were going for it but were caught out for numbers as Farsley broke out of defence. Home midfielder, Danny Greenfield was looking to run onto a through ball, and go for goal, as Connor Johnson pulled him back. It was a professional foul, and the Referee immediately produced a yellow card- presumably as the foul was just inside the Kettering half. It could have been worse……
Immediately after, the resultant free kick was cleared, Kettering won another free kick and from Thanoj’s delivery, White’s overhead kick came off a defender’s head and looped over the bar.
With 78 minutes gone, Jezeph did well to intercept a ball into the box with his feet to prevent a goal threat.
The game took a turn on 82 minutes as inexplicably, home skipper Branson made a dangerous tackle on Kelly-Evans and the Referee, five yards away, gave Branson a straight red card.
There was controversy on 85 minutes as Tom Allan challenged Noel-Williams as the tall midfielder ran through on goal. No penalty was the Referee’s decision and shortly after, with advice from the mandatory fourth official, Richard Lavery received a yellow card and Tom Cherry was sent off from the dugout.
With two minutes of the 90 remaining, Thanoj poked a tame shot at Wooster.
Six minutes of added time were signalled. Jezeph had to be sure as he smothered a through ball just inside the 18-yard box as a Farsley player threatened.
In the third minute of added time, Kettering scored the winner. Hart got away from his defensive duties to link up on the right. His cross looped up off of a defender for Ranger to head forwards. Isiah Noel-Williams turned sharply to fire the loose ball in from a few yards out.
After 9 minutes of added time, the Referee’s final whistle signalled loud celebrations from the visiting team and fans.
Full Time:
Farsley Celtic 1 – 2 Kettering Town
Attendance: 631 (Kettering fans estimated at 275)
Referee: Ben Tomlinson; Assistant Referees: Waqar Ahmad & Taylor Metcalf; 4th Official: Matthew Moss
Poppies Media Kettering Town Man of the Match: The whole team!
FORTHCOMING HOME GAMES:
Saturday October 19th: AFC Sudbury at 3pm
Tuesday October 22nd: Stourbridge FC at 7.45pm
Forthcoming Away games:
Tuesday October 15th: Bromsgrove Sporting at 7. 45pm
