Kettering Town v Stamford

Pitching in Southern League Premier Division Central

Tuesday 23rd September 2025  19:45

Referee:  Matthew Jackson              Assistants: Scott Postin and Wayne Bright

Kettering would be looking to continue on their winning ways following on from Saturday’s defeat of Bishop’s Stortford courtesy of a good second half performance. Tonight’s opponents Stamford, on paper, should be eminently beatable. Currently sitting in last place in the league table with no wins so far and their only points coming from three home draws. Their match on Saturday saw them beaten 4-1 at Needham Market.

With the Kettering squad hopefully recovering from it’s recent bout of sickness within the camp, Simon Hollyhead would still be without the services of George Forsyth, suffering from a toe injury, and Shane Flynn, sidelined by injury since the Quorn game. Brandon Barker had recovered sufficiently from illness to take a place on the sub’s bench but defender Aksum White was unavailable for selection. Callum Powell and Ismael Fatadjo would both start with Alfie Lewis and Will Glennon dropping to the bench. An attacking formation was selected with a centre back pairing of Caden Voice and Levi Andoh flanked by Wes Young and Eddie Oppong.

Three former Poppies lined up for The Daniels, two from the 2023-24 season under Richard Lavery the two full backs, Charlie Marzano and Rhys Sharpe and on the sub’s bench the veteran Jon Challinor who played for Kettering way back in 2011.

Stamford, in all royal blue, won the toss and elected to defend the Tin Hat end with Kettering in red kicking off. Kettering were first onto the attack and inside the second minute Powell set Oppong down the right wing on the overlap but his cross was headed away. However, the Referee sounded his whistle awarding Stamford a free kick.

The Referee, who would have a busy evening, awarded a free kick after six minutes as the ball was played to the feet of Ranger standing on the edge of the penalty area with his back to his goal. Nile attempted to hold the ball up but Mr Jackson adjudged the pressure applied by the defender to Ranger’s back had crossed the line between fair play and a foul. Callum Powell had a direct strike at goal aimed at the top corner was well saved by Jackson in the Stamford goal. 

Another six minutes had been played before Kettering were threatening once more when Powell attacked down the wing. He hit a cross aimed towards the far post where Rhys Sharpe, unsure who was behind him, opted for safety first putting the ball behind for a corner which came to nothing.

Kettering kept the pressure up and shortly after won another corner, this time on the open side. Taken short, Loza looked to dribble the ball past two defenders into the penalty area. Unsurprisingly, his attempt did not succeed but as the ball ran loose a Stamford defender who in attempting to clear the ball completely shanked his kick sending the ball behind him and over the Tin Hat for a corner on the stand side. This corner was taken short by Stanley to Powell who looked to go past Hobbins tight on the by-line. The Stamford player forced Callum to the ground earning Kettering another free kick. Powell’s free kick was lifted to the far side of the penalty area eventually finding Loza but his shot was straight at Jackson and comfortably saved.

Seventeen minutes had been played before Stamford’s first shot at goal which was a long-range effort by Ryan Wilson which flew high over the bar. Kettering responded immediately with Fatadjo threading a ball forward for Powell to run onto. Callum got to the by-line before sending a low cross  aimed towards the middle where Ranger was lurking but it was cut out by Jackson.

In a rare foray forward, Stamford won a corner after twenty minutes when a hopeful punt at goal was blocked behind by York. The corner on the stand side was plucked out of the air by the sure handed Alexander. Kettering moved the ball up-field and worked the ball to Fatadjo who played a well weighted ball through to Loza clear behind the Stamford back line. Jamar steadied himself and looked to side foot the ball past the advancing Jackson but the Stamford keeper did well sticking out a foot at the last moment to deny the forward.

Five minutes later, Stamford produced their best chance of the game so far when Charlie Marzano played the ball forwards for Alonzi down Stamford’s right. The Stamford number nine carried the ball forward well before firing in a low cross but no blue shirt had kept up with the forward surge and the ball passed harmlessly across the face of goal untouched when any sort of contact would have opened the scoring.

Half an hour had been played when Kettering next threatened the Stamford goal. Powell in possession in front of the dug outs on the open side touched the ball inside to Thanoj who then switched the ball to the opposite side to where York collected the ball before setting Stanley off down the right wing. Connor took on Sharpe and beat the former Poppy to the by-line before lifting the ball into the middle. It looked like it would be an easy collect for the keeper but Cooke intervened by stretching to get a head to the ball. The defender had not done his goalie any favours though as his header only sent the ball up into the air and not away. The looping ball fell to Fatadjo some 10 yards out but his firm shot was well saved by the legs of Jackson on the goal-line before being cleared by Sharpe.

On the next Kettering attack the game got it’s first yellow card when, just in front of the Stamford bench, Powell looked to push the ball past Marzano and run onto the ball but the Stamford defender just stepped into the path of Callum to block off the run. The resulting free kick was played across to the opposite corner where Stanley and York swapped passes before Stanley looked to make a bursting run into the penalty area but was brought down from behind by Sharpe inches outside of the area. Powell took the kick but it was wasted as a low square ball was cut out by an alert defender and cleared.

With under ten minutes of the half remaining, Stamford won a corner when Andoh headed behind but the Kettering defence dealt with the set piece easily and initiated a quick counterattack which resulted in a shot from Oppong which deflected off Fatadjo for a goal kick. With half-time in sight Jackson, by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, looked to take as long as possible over the restart was warned by Mr Jackson for time wasting.

Mr Jackson was in action again in the final five minutes when he cautioned Thanoj for a firm but fair challenge mid-way inside Kettering’s half. The resulting free kick was sent straight at the two-man wall but the ball fell to Thomas who lobbed it forward in the direction of Alonzi who headed the ball tamely behind for a goal-kick.

As the game was winding down to half time, Kettering were on the attack again through Stanley down the right wing. The ball was quickly switched via Thanoj in the middle of the park to Oppong on the opposite touchline. Eddie fed the ball forward to Powell who squared up Rowley before playing a diagonal low ball into the penalty area. Fatadjo tried to turn the ball in but did not make a good contact only sending the ball at Ranger a yard or so in front of him. It came at Nile too fast to do anything with it and bounced of him into the arms of Jackson.

In the final minute of the half, the ball was sent forward to Loza who delivered a deep cross but out of the reach of Powell and went behind for a goal kick which once again the goalkeeper took an age over restarting earning another hurry up message from his namesake the Referee.

One-minute additional time was played at the end of the half in which nothing of note occurred.

   Half Time: Kettering Town 0   Stamford 0

Neither side made any changes at half-time.

Kettering looked to continue where they left off in the first half pressing forward at every opportunity and in the forty sixth minute, Powell got the Kettering fans in the Pro Saw stand excited as when chasing a ball played into the box went down after contact with a defender but Mr Jackson saw nothing amiss and play continued.

Three minutes into the half and Kettering were awarded a free kick deep inside their own half following a foul on Fatadjo. The set piece was sent out wide to York tight on the open side touchline. Wes clipped the ball forward to Stanley who with a clever flick turned the ball inside to Loza. Jamar collected the ball and carried it across the pitch before firing in a low left footed shot from just inside the penalty area. Jackson diving to his right pulled off another very good save pushing the ball around the post. The shot, however, was at a nice height for the keeper which if it had been a couple of feet higher would have beaten him hands down. The resulting corner from Powell was lifted into the area was headed clear by the defence but Kettering retained possession which led to Powell looking to dance his way into the penalty area, but finding his way blocked, opted for a shot which deflected behind for another corner which was badly overhit going out for a Stamford throw-in on the opposite side.

Stamford’s first attack of the second half occurred after fifty-two minutes when a quick counterattack was launched down Kettering’s right involving Sharpe. The thrust was halted by a foul from Stanley covering back conceding a free kick close to the corner flag. It would be the last contribution from Rhys Sharpe as before the free kick was taken he hobbled off to be replaced by Connor Bartle. The hosts easily cleared the set piece.

Ten minutes into the second half Andoh went down off the ball with an injury causing Mr Jackson to halt the game in order that the Kettering physio could come on to administer treatment. It transpired that it was probably a contact lens problem with Kai Fifield dispatched to the dressing room to retrieve a spare lens. Kettering played with ten players for a brief period during which time Stamford created a chance but was wasted by Sanchez-Tonge who blasted his shot well over the bar.

Sixty-two minutes had been played when a major turning point of the game occurred. The ball rolled out of play close to the corner flag for a goal kick and Thomas Jackson took an age to retrieve the ball to restart the game. Having been warned twice in the first half Mr Jackson, the Referee showed the Stamford keeper a yellow card. The Stamford player showing gross stupidity by giving the decision a sarcastic round of applause and should have not been surprised when he was shown a second yellow card for dissent followed by a red with only himself to blame. Having no substitute keeper on the bench after a prolonged stoppage Kyle Rowley donned the green top and keeper’s gloves. 

Stamford’s reaction was commendable coming forward from the goal kick to force a corner at the opposite end applying some pressure on the Kettering goal which the Poppies eventually cleared leading to a break by Oppong who delivered a cross towards Ranger at the far post. It was slightly too high for Nile who could not direct his header goalwards. It mattered not though as the Assistant Referee had raised his flag for offside.

Despite being down to ten men, Stamford were showing more determination and positivity than they had all game and with just over twenty minutes to go looked to hit Kettering on the break after a Kettering move broke down with a three on two attack. The move was broken up with Andoh taking one for the team stepping across Vince to halt the game and receiving a booking for his trouble.

Stamford wanted to take the free kick quickly but Mr Jackson made it clear he wanted to finish the paperwork after the yellow card before allowing play to proceed and was promptly ignored by the Stamford players who sent the ball over the Kettering bar. Stamford were allowed to do a ‘do over’ but the Kettering defence held firm and sent Stanley chasing the ball downfield. Outrunning all his support Connor did well to earn a free kick close to the corner flag on the open side. The free kick was taken short and Loza took possession running across the edge of the penalty area from right to left looking for the opportunity to shoot. He managed to find room but could only direct his low shot straight at Rowley who gathered the ball in at his feet.

Mr Jackson had started to get somewhat card happy booking Fatadjo after seventy minutes for pulling back a Stamford player and five minutes later Oppong for a trip.

With twelve minutes to go, Alexander prevented a ball going out for a goal kick and made a pinpoint throw to Powell midway inside his own half in acres of space. Callum turned up field and advanced with purpose. Faced up by Marzano, Powell moved to his right and from about twenty yards out struck an unstoppable curving shot, which would have beat any regular starting keeper let alone a stand-in outfield player, zipping into the top corner of the net. 1-0 Kettering 78 mins.

Before the restart, both sides made substitutions. Kettering replaced the tiring Stanley with Alfie Lewis and Stamford swapped Jaden Charles for Marzano.

With just under ten minutes left to play, Callum Powell received a yellow card for continuing to play after the referee had blown his whistle to become the fifth Kettering player cautioned.

With nothing to lose now Stamford could play without fear and Charles managed to get past Oppong to create a shooting opportunity but sent his effort wide of the near post. Before the goal kick could be taken, Stamford made another swap with Elliott Durrell replacing Luca Alonzi. This was followed two minutes later by the departure of captain Harry Vince being replaced by Jon Challinor.

With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Jaden Charles was added to the growing list of names in Mr Jackson’s notebook following a lunge at Oppong.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Oppong broke forward before sending a reverse pass forward for Loza to run onto. Jamar with a stand-in keeper to beat fired in a shot trying to burst the net rather than use precision to beat the keeper and as a result sent his shot high and wide.

As the ninety minutes expired it was announced that there would be a minimum of seven minutes additional to be played. With so little time remaining, and having the extra player, rather than maintain possession passing the ball among themselves and controlling the game the Kettering team still drove forward looking for a second goal but in doing so needlessly relinquished possession giving Stamford the ball back. Powell carried the ball forward and exchanged passes with Fatadjo who shot weakly at goal, an easy collect for keeper. His clearance was fielded by Voice who made a simple pass to Oppong who carried it forward before sending it on to Powell who committed the cardinal sin of being caught offside handing the ball back to Stamford.

With four extra minutes played, Powell once again carried the ball forward but he crossed the ball into the middle where it was deflected behind for a corner. It was taken short to Loza who danced his way forward past two defenders. This time learning from his earlier wasted chance opted for accuracy and tried a curling low shot aimed towards the far post but Rowley got down well and pushed the ball away as Stamford retained possession.

Moments later Voice dispossessed a Stamford player on the edge of Kettering’s penalty area and passed the ball to Oppong in plenty of space inside his own half with Powell in close proximity with the nearest opponent at least 25 yards away but instead of slowing the game down and making Stamford force the play they ran towards the Stamford defenders. Eddie fed the ball to Powell who cut inside before shooting from just outside the penalty area. Rowley once again got down well to the low ball and pushed it away before Ranger was flagged for being offside.

With very little time left, Kettering made a final substitution replacing the spent Powell with Kai Fifield. During the swap Drury the Stamford manager acted inappropriately and was cautioned by the Referee.

As Kettering were pressing the Stamford defence, they lost possession and the visitors punted the ball long into Kettering’s half. Andoh came across the pitch to head the ball out on the open side. Bartle took the throw-in short to the unmarked Hobbins who returned the ball to the taker who lifted the ball into the Kettering penalty area. Ranger received the ball but instead of clearing the ball long directed the ball towards Lewis five yards away. Not expecting the ball, the ball went through Alfie’s legs to be collected by Thomas who played the ball out wide to Bartle who drove in a low cross towards the near post where Sanchez-Tonge turned the ball home beating Alexander who hadn’t made a save all night. 1-1 Stamford 90+7 mins.

It would be unkind to say that Stamford did not deserve it as since the dismissal of Jackson they had played the better football and been more tactically astute. 

Mr Jackson allowed enough time for Kettering to stage one more assault on the Stamford goal which resulted in a low drive by Voice at Rowley who briefly fumbled the ball before hastily reclaiming possession with Lewis closing at which point the Referee sounded the final whistle.

Full Time: Kettering Town 1   Stamford 1

Another dip on the Kettering roller coaster ride. After a good first half display where Jackson in the Stamford goal kept his side in the game with some good saves to keep the game scoreless at half-time. It seemed that it would be only a matter of time before Kettering’s superiority would break the deadlock. The sending off of Stamford’s goalkeeper Jackson for a second cautionable offence after sixty-three minutes would have appeared to have tipped the scales further in the host’s favour. However, with a stand-in goalkeeper, it was only a brilliant individual goal by Callum Powell after seventy-seven minutes which saw Kettering get their noses in front. Having taken the lead, the hosts sensing an opponent there for the taking appeared to abandon their game plan and started to lose team cohesion as players appeared to start playing for themselves instead of the team being unwilling to the careful build up. The team showed very little discipline when faced with seven minutes of additional time added at the end of the game and instead of making the additional player count seeing the game out through retaining possession with controlled passing, conceded the ball far too easily to a team with nothing to lose. And so it was that two points were carelessly thrown away at the death with a late, late equaliser very similar to last season’s game at Stamford a ninety-ninth minute lapse of concentration allowed an  equaliser letting two points slip contributing to consigning the team to the play-offs. It remains to be seen what this error will cost the team at season’s end.

 Kettering yellow cards: Thanoj, Andoh, Fatadjo, Oppong – fouls Powell – unsporting conduct

 Stamford yellow cards: Marzano, Charles – fouls, Jackson – time wasting.

                                            Drury (manager) – unsporting conduct

 2^nd yellow/Red Jackson – dissent

 Attendance: 994

 Kettering Town Man-of-the-Match selected by  – Levi Andoh –  A solid display from the Dutchman who is fast becoming the first-choice centre back. Looking confident on the ball and willing to make a measured clearance rather than a hasty rushed clearance coupled with a fair degree of pace. Levi looks the most competent of the central defenders employed by Mr Hollyhead so far, this season.