MATCH SUMMARY:
The Poppies can count themselves very unlucky not to have come away with something from this game. Unfortunately, they found themselves two goals down at half time,. Conceding a goal from a Reece Flanagan penalty on 11 minutes and a great 20 yard strike from McKauley Manning after 40 minutes. Poppies did not convert their own chances created in the half. The second period was almost exclusively Kettering’s with substitute Dan Jarvis pulling a goal back in the 69th minute but the equaliser or more would just not come.
THE KETTERING SQUAD TODAY:
After a summer of squad restructuring, the entire starting line up, excepting the returning Connor Johnson, was making its Kettering Town league debut today. The only players in the squad remaining from last season were Dan Jarvis and Luca Miller, who were both named on the substitutes bench, with other remainees, Dan Jezeph suspended, and Huw Dawson injured. So, it was a warm welcome for keeper, Jack Thompson (on loan), Ben Hart, Sidik Atcha, Aaron Powell (on loan), Isiah Noel-Williams, Andi Thanoj, Kai Fifield, Devon Kelly-Evans, Remaye Campbell and Tyree Wilson. The bench was completed by Wes York, Daniel Emovon and Harlain Mbayo.
THE TEAMS:
Halesowen Town:
1 Dan Platt
2 Ben Cassidy
3 Nathaniel Kelly
4 Todd Parker
5 Ryan Winter (Captain)
6 Ryan Woollacott
7 Jak Hickman
8 Reece Flanagan (14 Kieran Donnelly,73)
9 Adi Yussuf (16 Ryan Boothe,73)
10 Conor Tee (12 Reece Mitchell,67)
11 McKauley Manning
Unused Substitutes:
15 Luke Postle
17 Lewis Solly (G/ K)
Yellow Cards: Yussuf,10; Mitchell,70; Boothe,87; Cassidy,90.
Kettering Town:
1 Jack Thompson
2 Ben Hart
3 Aaron Powell (14 Harlain Mbayo,72)
4 Devon Kelly-Evans
5 Connor Johnson
6 Sidik Atcha
19 Kai Fifield (10 Dan Jarvis,61)
8 Andi Thanoj
9 Remaye Campbell (7 Wes York,61)
16 Isiah Noel-Williams
11 Tyree Wilson
Unused Substitutes:
17 Luca Miller
20 Daniel Emovon
Yellow Cards: Atcha,6; Johnson,10 ;Powell,46; Noel-Williams,59; Mbayo,87.
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:
After a cloudy morning in the Black Country, the clouds parted to allow a warm and sunny afternoon at The Grove where the pitch was in perfect condition.
The atmosphere was fuelled by two sets of vocal supporters as the game began with the Poppies attacking the ‘Shed End’.
Sidik Atcha was soon in the Referee’s notebook after a rash 6th minute tackle on McKauley Manning. The resultant free kick saw Remaye Campbell head away for what was to be a fruitless corner for the home side.
The Poppies created a good chance to take the lead three minutes later, as, firstly, Kai Fifield’s cross caused danger followed by Tyree Wilson’s low cross into the six yard box and Campbell had a great chance but slipped over and home keeper, Dan Platt collected the ball.
On 10 minutes, a challenge in the Kettering penalty area allowed the Referee to award a penalty, and Reece Flanagan coolly converted.
Halesowen Town 1 -0 Kettering Town
Almost immediately from the restart, an audacious 50 yard shot from Manning saw loan keeper, Jack Thompson, back-pedalling as he saved the shot just under the crossbar.
Arguably the Poppies should have had a penalty in their next attack. Isiah Noel-Williams latched on to a pass on the right side of the penalty area, ran on and shot only to be cleaned up by a defender. With the Referee focussing on the ball, no foul was given albeit the Assistant on that side had a clear view of the incident.
Manning was causing the visiting defence some problems with his movement and, coming in from the left, had a clear shot on goal which Thompson did well to deflect for a corner.
Ex Poppy, Adi Yussuf, thought he was clear on goal. However, the Assistant flagged for offside. At the other end, Wilson got a cross in from the left which cannoned off Ryan Wynter and fell kindly for Dan Platt to hold.
Kettering again could have equalised on 27 minutes as Noel-Williams had a great chance from 12 yards but he scuffed his shot straight to Platt.
Kettering continued to press and Wilson robbed Ben Cassidy and came in from the right to get in a left foot shot, but it was high and wide.
That man Manning found more space on 40 minutes, took a couple of paces forward without challenge and shot home from around 20 yards with a great left foot drive. Jack Thompson got a touch on the shot- but not enough to deflect it over the bar.
Halesowen Town 2 – 0 Kettering Town
The Poppies tried to respond before the break with Platt saving an Andi Thanoj free kick and Aaron Powell put his shot out of the ground.
Half Time: Halesowen Town 2 – 0 Kettering Town
There were no player changes at half time.
The second half was to belong to the Poppies, who had long periods of possession and who were to deny the Yeltz goal opportunities.
Striker,Campbell, took an early cross but his left foot shot was over the target, Devon Kelly-Evans saw his shot blocked and Andi Thanoj’s free kick was too far for anyone to get in a header on goal.
Halesowen finally broke out of defence on 56 minutes and Yussuf may have done better as he met Jak Hickman’s cross from the right- but he headed over.
Dan Jarvis entered the fray on 61 minutes replacing Kai Fifield and Wes York replaced Campbell in an unfamiliar striker role.
There followed a continuing impetus for Kettering as Platt took a Jarvis cross and he then just beat York to a quick low, free kick from Ben Hart.
Hart then got forward and saw his low shot deflected for a corner. From this restart, Kettering scored.
Thanoj’s corner from the left saw Dan Jarvis plant a high header past the diving Platt.
Halesowen Town 2 – 1 Kettering Town
The Poppies continued to enjoy the vast majority of possession, with Jack Thompson largely a spectator, and the Yeltz had to defend solidly. As the final 15 minutes approached, Jarvis got a low cross in from the left and the on-rushing Hart fired wide. Then Jarvis got clear, and with the ball a little under his feet, he tried an early low, left foot shot which Platt collected.
A massive final effort from the Poppies saw Platt make a great save from Jarvis, a Kelly-Evans shot parried away by the keeper, two Kettering corners cleared, Ryan Woolacott intercepting a dangerous Hart cross and Tyree Wilson had two shots well blocked by the home defence.
It was rough justice on the Poppies, but give credit to a rearguard resolute defence from Halesowen.
Full Time: Halesowen Town 2 – 1 Kettering Town
Attendance: 1216 (Poppies fans estimated at 200- a great turnout-thank you)
Poppies Media man of the match: Devon Kelly-Evans
Referee: Benjamin Stott Assistant Referees: Bradley Cope and Ashley Davenport.
Forthcoming HOME games:
Tuesday August 13th – Spalding United at 7.45pm
Saturday August 17th- Stratford Town at 3pm
Bank Holiday Monday August 26th- Harborough Town at 3pm
Forthcoming Away games:
Saturday August 24th- Hitchin Town at 3pm
(Saturday August 31st reserved for Emirates FA Cup – draw due on 19th August)
