MATCH SUMMARY
My friend and Hitchin Town match reporter, Paul Harris (aka Pipeman) agreed after the match that the scoreline probably did not completely reflect this game. However, Kettering Manager Richard Lavery will comment that it’s goals that count. The scoreline at 3-0 to the Poppies was courtesy of two goals from Dan Jarvis (12th and 96th minutes) and another from Luca Miller (72 minutes) and were all well taken. Visiting keeper Dan Jezeph had only a couple of home attempts to save in the game, albeit that the Canaries had a lot of possession for 20 minutes in each half.
THE KETTERING SQUAD
With both Andi Thanoj and Tyree Wison reporting injuries, Dan Jarvis and Luca Miller started and both were to get on the scoresheet. Thanoj was on the four-man bench with the squad stretched for numbers.
THE TEAMS
Hitchin Town
1 Kyle Forster
2 Lewis Franklin (14 Samuel Caiger,48)
3 Alex Kpakpe (George Morrall,61)
4 Toby Syme
5 Daniel Sears
6 Ciaran Jones
7 Jack Dreyer
8 Kieran Forbes (15,Harry Titchmarsh 61)
10 Liam Brookes
11 Connor Vincent
19 Cores Wilson (17 Albie Hall,67)
Unused Substitute: 12 Jay Rolfe
Yellow Cards: Donnelly (Manager),19; Jones,74
Kettering Town
1 Dan Jezeph
2 Ben Hart
3 Aaron Powell
4 Devon Kelly-Evans
5 Connor Johnson
6 Sidik Atcha (14, Harlain Mbayo, 58)
7 Wes York (9,Remaye Campbell,67)
10 Dan Jarvis
16 Isiah Noel-Williams
17 Luca Miller
19 Kai Fifield
Unused Substitutes:
8 Andi Thanoj
20 Daniel Emovon
Yellow Card: Hart,73
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED
The pitch was in great condition, despite the heavy pre match rain, which continued for the whole of the first half.
The Poppies started well and Ben Hart’s run down the right saw his cross put out for what was to be an unproductive corner. This was followed by another corner on the right, won by Isiah Noel-Williams’ determination, but again the home defence cleared.
Kettering kept on the offensive and Luca Miller set up Kai Fifield whose right foot shot was acrobatically palmed over the bar by home keeper Kyle Forster. The keeper was again in action from the corner as he kept out a close-range effort. Dan Jarvis then came in from the left and his right foot effort cleared the crossbar.
The Poppies got the goal that their efforts deserved in the 12th minute. A great crossfield ball by Fifield from the right found Jarvis who picked his spot past Forster.
In the next minute, Noel-Williams created another opening, but the final ball saw an easy pick up for Forster.
Hitchin’s first attempt on goal, in the 15th minute, saw Alex Kpakpe put an inviting cross in from the right and Coree Wilson headed over from a good position.
With the Referee allowing the game to flow, to the annoyance of the home crowd on occasion, Hitchin Manager Brett Donnelly received a yellow card presumably for dissent. A number of claims for fouls on home players had been made at this stage.
All the above and only 20 minutes gone.
The game settled a little and the next goal attempt saw Kettering’s Wes York outpace the home defence and Forster made a great save from the resulting shot on goal. Forster then made two more routine saves from Jarvis and Luca Miller.
Gradually, the home team got some control in midfield and began to threaten. Ben Hart got in a timely interception as Jack Dreyer looked to shoot from 16 yards. The Canaries were enjoying much more of the ball without creating too many chances though, and the Poppies broke away with Jarvis setting up Fifield, who again saw Forster make a good save tipping the ball over the bar.
Before the break, Hitchin had their best spell. Dreyer put through Wilson but he shot straight at Dan Jezeph. Liam Brooks’ shot was blocked, and Connor Vincent fired over from the rebound. Finally, in the half, Brooks latched on to a free kick and his overhead kick just cleared the bar.
Half Time : Hitchin Town 0 – 1 Kettering Town
There were no player changes at half time.
Hitchin maybe should have equalised within seconds of the restart. Sidik Atcha’s misjudgement allowed Liam Brooks a run on goal and Dan Jezeph did exceptionally well to get something on the ball to deflect it wide.
Brooks then saw his direct free kick cannon off the wall as Hitchin pressed for the equaliser.
The Poppies saw efforts from Fifield and Devon Kelly-Evans both sail over the bar. However, the Canaries were pressing as the visiting defence looked solid. Harlain Mbayo, on for Atcha, got in a tangle with Brooks near to the penalty area. However, the Referee opted to give no foul to either side.
Kettering saw efforts from Devon Kelly-Evans and Fifield both clear the crossbar.
Hitchin were having a lot of the ball but were failing to trouble the visiting defence and, a little against the run of play, Kettering doubled their lead on 72 minutes. A fast and incisive move down the right opened up the defence and Luca Miller’s shot was clinical past Forster.
Hitchin Town 0 – 2 Kettering Town
The Poppies took control and Hart’s left foot shot was high and wide. Remaye Campbell had replaced Wes York and almost converted from a corner on the left. He was then put clear by Fifield but the shot was too near Forster, who saved well.
The scoreline was completed with the last kick of the game six minutes into added time. Dan Jarvis drifted in from the left past three defenders and the low finish was sublime past Forster.
Full Time: Hitchin Town 0 – 3 Kettering Town
Attendance: 598 (Poppies fans estimated at 125 )
Poppies Media man of the match: Aaron Powell
Referee: C Darling Assistant Referees: A Wheaton and C Cattenach-Chell
Forthcoming HOME games:
Bank Holiday Monday August 26th- Harborough Town at 3pm
Saturday August 31st -Stafford Rangers at 3pm (Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying)
Saturday September 21st – Lowestoft Town at 3pm
Forthcoming Away games:
Saturday September 7th at Royston Town at 3pm
Monday September 9th at St Ives Town at 7.45pm
