Match Report Leiston vs KTFC 01 March 2025

Match Report Leiston 010325 1 | Kettering Town FC

MATCH SUMMARY:

The Poppies scored a goal in each half both converted by Isiah Noel-Williams but were forced to defend for some parts of the game by a determined Leiston side, a task that the Kettering defence also undertook with great resolve. The crucial point in the game came on 63 minutes when keeper, and our man of the match, Dan Jezeph saved a penalty with Kettering leading 1-0.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

Tyree Wilson and Kai Fifield started with Kyle Storer and Sam McLintock reverting to the substitutes bench. Wes York was on paternity leave, Callum Powell remains injured and Jonny Edwards was named as a substitute, despite a hip injury.

THE TEAMS:

Leiston
1 Billy Johnson
2 Oliver Yun(14 Cameron Rayworth,68)
3 Seb Dunbar
4 Albie Armin (9 Ben Folkes,68)
5 Kyran Clements
6 Eddie Jackson
7 Ismael Fatadjo (20 Wyatt Hill,79)
8 Fraser Alexander
10 George Quantrell
11 Jamar Loza
12 Adam Mills

Unused Substitutes:
16 Ollie Saunders
18 Ryan Jarvis

Yellow Card: Fatadjo,67

KETTERING TOWN:

1 Dan Jezeph
2 Ben Hart
3 Aaron Powell
4 Devon Kelly-Evans
5 Connor Johnson (Captain)
6 Alex Gudger
8 Andi Thanoj
9 Nile Ranger (14 Sam McLintock,61)
11 Tyree Wilson (15 Kyle Storer,76)
16 Isiah Noel-Williams
19 Kai Fifield (10 Terrell Pennant,66)

Unused Substitutes:
12 Lewis White
18 Jonny Edwards

Yellow Card: Fifield,22

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

It was a sunny and chilly afternoon at The Watson & Hillhouse Victory Road Stadium Leiston today as two teams in the top section of the league faced each other. The pitch had survived this week’s rains and a misty and wet Saturday morning.

The Blues started the better of the two teams winning a corner and a couple of free kicks, with the second-a direct effort on goal which was well blocked by the Kettering defensive wall.

The Poppies got out of their half to win a corner, played short to Ben Hart, but his cross was cleared. Kettering were getting into the game and a great cross from the left by Isiah Noel-Williams looked to be a header on goal from Kai Fifield, who appeared to be impeded by a defender.

However, Leiston began to put the visiting defence under pressure and in a two-minute spell after 24 minutes there was frantic action in the Kettering six-yard box. Dan Jezeph made a great save from Jamar Loza. From the loose ball, Alex Gudger cleared off the line and Kettering bodies were everywhere to deny Leiston a goal as the ball ran loose. In the next attack, Loza had the ball in the net but he was well offside.

Still the momentum was with Leiston and Aaron Powell made a crucial interception before George Quantrell saw Jezeph deal easily with his shoulder high shot.

As Kettering got forward, Ben Hart got in a cross from the right but it was too close to ex Kettering keeper, Billy Johnson who smothered the ball.

On 35 minutes, Adam Mills’ snapshot was taken by Jezeph. Kettering broke and Nile Ranger found Tyree Wilson on the left and his low cross was cleared to allow another quick home break, which won a fruitless corner.

There was more home pressure with Loza central to the threat but the Poppies defence held firm.

The Poppies did, though, take a surprise lead on 42 minutes. Billy Johnson took a back pass and under pressure lost the ball to Noel-Williams, who rolled the ball into the empty net despite Johnson’s desperate dive to claw it away.

Leiston FC 0 – 1 Kettering Town (42minutes)

There was no other goalmouth action before the half time whistle.

Half Time:

Leiston 0 – 1 Kettering Town

There were no team changes at half time.

The Poppies could have doubled their lead within three minutes of the half, as Hart’s free kick was headed over by Gudger from a great position.

Almost immediately, danger man Loza got through centrally but Jezeph made another crucial stop. A 57th minute direct free kick from Ismael Fatadjo cannoned off the defensive wall.

There was more pressure to follow as, on 62 minutes, Aaron Powell fell on the ball in the away penalty area and was adjudged to have handled the ball when he was on the ground positioned on and over the ball as boots came in to injure him. The laws must have changed as, historically in these situations, the Referee would have stopped the game. In this instance he awarded a penalty as Powell received treatment for a head injury.

Loza stepped up to take the penalty which was brilliantly saved by Jezeph. This was the turning point of this game.

The home side made substitutions and Kettering replaced Ranger with Sam McLintock leaving Noel-Williams up top.

The Poppies weathered the storm, organised themselves and now looked solid. Devon Kelly-Evans saw his 73rd minute shot picked up by Billy Johnson but better was to follow a couple of minutes later. Kelly-Evans saw his low shot rebound off the left upright and Noel-Williams did exceptionally well to drill the rebound firmly past Johnson.

Leiston 0 – 2 Kettering Town (75 minutes)

Kyle Storer replaced Wilson and the Poppies looked now very solid. A shot from Mills was blocked, Sam Dunbar threaded a low cross from the left past everyone and ,in the next attack, Dunbar fired out of the ground.

In fact, it could have been 3-0 just before the end of the ninety minutes as Storer found Kelly-Evans whose shot was cleared off the line.

After an undefined period of added time the Poppies claimed a well earned three points.

Full Time:

Leiston. 0 – 2 Kettering Town

Attendance: 310 (Kettering fans estimated at 100)

Referee: Benjamin Bowles; Assistant Referees: Thomas King and Sully Mapplebeck

Poppies Media Kettering Town Man of the Match: Dan Jezeph

FORTHCOMING HOME MATCHES:

Tuesday March 4th: Alvechurch FC at 7.45pm

Saturday March 8th: St Ives Town at 3pm

Saturday March 22nd: AFC Telford United at 3pm

Forthcoming Away Matches: