Kettering Town v Bishop’s Stortford

Pitching in Southern League Premier Central Division

Saturday 20th September 2025  15:00

Referee:  Michael Pattison              Assistants: Michael Westmacott and Craig Patrick

With Kettering’s interest in the FA Cup terminated by Quorn last weekend, the old adage about concentrating on the league would be in order. With only a single point gained from the last three league games some people were already marking down KTFC as an also ran. However, the league isn’t won or lost in September and with105 points to play for, the season is far from done for. Today’s visitors Bishop’s Stortford like Kettering had an impressive start to the season winning their first 4 games of the season with a goal tally of 15 with a single goal conceded. After squeezing past Real Bedford in the cup via a replay, they were stunned by back-to-back 1-0 home defeats. Bishop’s Stortford’s FA Cup campaign also hit the buffers last Saturday losing 4-1 at National League South Hemel Hempstead. So, like Kettering they would be looking to get their season back on track.

Simon Hollyhead would be hoping that the ill and injured players would have shown signs of recovery. However, George Forsyth and Brandon Barker were still unfit for duty. One player he would have to resign himself to losing was Archie Crowther who had appeared in every Kettering game this season. On loan from King’s Lynn, he was recalled by his parent club during the week and transferred to Leamington. To mitigate this, and the missing players, defender Askum White has been signed from Bromsgrove Rovers and two short term loans have been brought in with Caden Voice a defender from Wolves and Micah Anthony a forward from Bristol Rovers. Voice would go straight into the starting line-up with White and Anthony on the subs bench. Joining them on the bench would see the very welcome return of Ismael Fatadjo from his terrible double arm fracture suffered in the final pre-season friendly against Basingstoke. Nile Ranger retuned from illness and would be the point of Kettering’s attack with the added responsibility of  donning the captain’s armband. Last weekend’s captain Wes York would show his value to the squad by starting in another position following up left-back at Quorn with right back today with Levi Andoh filling in on the left.

The afternoon was overcast with the sun trying to breakthrough. There was a breeze blowing across the pitch from the stand side but not strong enough to disrupt play. The pitch was looking in great condition after the rain experienced in Burton over the previous week.

Bishop’s Stortford in an all-yellow strip sporting a red and black chest band kicked off attacking the Tin Hat.

Kettering were first on the attack after three minutes when Oppong made progress down the stand side before cutting inside and sending in a cross which should’ve been an easy catch for the keeper but somehow Hayton made a hash of the collect fumbling the ball over his shoulder which quite frankly could’ve gone anywhere. Fortunately for him, Haines was alert near him and stepped in to hack the ball away before Ranger could take advantage.

Stortford had an impressive opening spell and made all of the early running. Five minutes had been played when a long ball was lifted forward into the stand side corner by the visitors. Kettering took possession but Stortford applied the pressure looking to pin the Poppies deep inside their own half. Voice attempted to clear the ball but did not get distance on his clearance which fell to Smith halfway inside Kettering’s half. He picked out Greene just inside the Kettering’s penalty area who twisted and turned his way past Glennon and Voice before shooting low and hard towards goal. Alexander got down quickly to his right and produced a good one handed save showing a strong wrist to parry the ball away from goal for Voice to clear.

Shortly after, Greene was on the attack again cutting through the Kettering defence but he was thwarted by Voice who cleverly got in between the forward and the ball and shielded it back to Alexander.

On the ten-minute mark, Stortford once again came forward with purpose as a long clearance from defence was held up well by Akanbi who touched the ball back to Phillips who spread the ball wide to Onyeagwara. He took on York at right back and breezed past him and darted between the covering Stanley and recovering York to fire in a fierce shot which Alexander could only parry before dropping on the loose ball before Akanbi could pounce on it.

Kettering responded with an attack of their own with a good passing move moving the ball down Stortford’s left. The ball was played to Lewis in a central position in a good shooting position but with the ball on his left elected to tack on one more pass onto Oppong. Eddie moved into a shooting position but his attempt was blocked and rebounded back into the forward and cannoned behind for a goal kick.

From the restart Kettering gained possession but Thanoj was guilty of surrendering possession. Stortford moved the ball downfield and once again Onyeagwara got the better of York and played  the ball into the middle. However, Andi made amends for his error cutting out the cross and sending it behind for the first corner of the game on the open side. Kettering effectively cleared the ball through the head of Ranger initiating a quick Kettering counterattack through Loza but Stortford got men back quickly and stifled the move.

Just before the twenty-minute mark, Stortford were awarded a free kick in a fairly central position some twenty-five yards from goal following a foul on Akanbi by Voice. Dasilva looked to beat Alexander from that range with a pot at goal but Jason was untroubled as the ball passed a couple of yards wide of the post.

The next twenty minutes of play saw Kettering in the ascendancy with first Loza charging forward and reaching the by-line from where he delivered a low cross into the middle where the defence looked unsettled before clearing the ball. 

Approaching the half hour mark, neat work by York in an advanced position on the right wing set up Loza with a shooting opportunity but it passed wide of the base of Hayton’s right-hand post. Shortly after, Loza had another effort but this was directed straight at Hayton who collected the ball. Next up was a shot from Lewis latching onto a partial clearance from the visitors after a move involving Loza, Stanley and Ranger had probed the Stortford defence. With the ball on his favoured right foot Alfie did not hesitate in taking a shot from 20 yards which narrowly passed over the bar with Hayton all at sea.

Stortford looked to stem the one-way traffic with an attack of their own on thirty-three minutes when Akanbi holding the ball up well in the middle of the park played the ball outside to Dasilva coming forwards to join the attack. Utilising the time and space given to him, he directed a dangerous lifted diagonal ball towards the far post. Virciglio stretched high to get a head on the ball but was unable to direct the ball and it went straight behind for a goal kick much to the frustration of Phillips who was just behind Virciglio and better positioned to make use of the opening.

The flow of the game was still with Kettering though with the Poppies knocking on the Stortford goal and with ten minutes of the half remaining had four shots in as many minutes. Firstly, good wing work by York saw a ball played in towards Ranger inside the penalty area. Nile was barged of the  ball but it unexpectedly came through to Lewis but with the ball on top of him could only stab the ball towards goal but straight at Hayton. Next up was Andoh, set free by Oppong after a Stortford move broke down. Running down the stand side, he turned past Phillips inside the penalty area and showed a defender’s mind set by not going down when clipped by the defender and continuing to fire off a shot forcing Hayton into a double handed diving save to push the ball around the post for a corner which was cleared but only as far as Oppong. Eddie had a shy at goal tried a shot and had Hayton diving across his goal as the low shot went narrowly past the post. The fourth was started by Thanoj in midfield who sent Oppong down the left wing. He ran at the full back before playing the ball to the feet of Ranger close to the penalty area with his back towards goal. Nile held the ball up before rolling it back into the path of the advancing Lewis who struck a thunderous shot which struck the corner of the frame of the goal with Hayton rooted to the spot as a spectator.

Whilst under the Kettering cosh, Stortford broke out of defence as Smith played the ball forward to Akanbi who ran diagonally across the field past Glennon and on reaching the edge of the pivoted and sent a shot aimed at Alexander’s right-hand post. The ball passed through Voices’ legs and clipped his right leg and ended up rolling into the bottom left with Jason wrong footed.

 0-1 Bishop’s Stortford 39 mins.

Kettering were taken aback falling behind somewhat against the run of play and carried on pressing forward but it wasn’t until the game was into the additional two minutes to be played after the regulation forty-five that the visitor’s goal was threatened. Going forward Voice switched play onto the opposite side with a long diagonal ball. Loza did well to keep the ball in and raced forward before delivering a firm cross which passed untouched across the face of the goal going for a throw-in on the stand side.

   Half Time: Kettering Town 0   Bishop’s Stortford 1

Kettering made a single substitution at half time with Simon Hollyhead stating his intent but withdrawing defender Will Glennon in favour of Callum Powell with Andoh moving and Oppong to left wing back.

Only two minutes of the second had been played when Voice threaded the ball forward to the feet of Ranger who flicked the ball to Powell who glided past Dasilva before cutting the ball back into the middle through the legs of Haines. On the way, it took a deflection from the defender and away from the host of yellow shirts waiting but onto the open Loza who picked his spot and planted the ball in the net. 1-1 Kettering  47 mins.

The goal was greeted with rain starting to fall as Stortford looked to regain their lead immediately and worked the ball forward with Smith sending it out wide to Dasilva who sent a dangerous angled cross into the goalmouth but the combined presence of Andoh and York enough to disrupt the attack and the ball drifted out for a goal kick.

Five minutes later, Powell was running at the defence again and delivered a low cross into the box. It was cut out and cleared to Greene but he was quickly dispossessed by Thanoj who tried a long range shot which was easily saved by Hayton as the sun returned.

With ten minutes of the half-played, Powell carried the ball into the Stortford penalty area closely marked by Dasilva before going to the floor. Callum and the Kettering fans in the Tin Hat appealed for a penalty but Mr Pattison merely indicated a goal kick. One of the Kettering coaching staff voiced his opinion on the decision and, after being highlighted by the Assistant Referee, was cautioned by the Referee.

Just before the hour mark, the rain returned with greater intensity as Powell picked up the ball on the halfway line. With very little on he lifted a ball over the top for Loza to run onto but Hayter was alert and raced out and got to the ball marginally ahead of the forward to thwart Jamar. Shortly after, Bishop’s Stortford made their first substitution with Luka Chalwell replacing Aaron Greene.

Five minutes later, with Powell having moved over to the stand side was set free down the wing by a weighted pass by Loza. Having teased the right back Callum gave Haines the chance to witness his skills close up throw the defender off the scent and aiming a low ball into the feet of Stanley in the goalmouth but his marker reacted quicker and was able to clear the ball ahead of Connor. The clearance was picked up by Kettering but before the hosts could apply further pressure, play was brought back for a foul on York by Onyeagwara earning him the first players yellow card of the afternoon.

Shortly after, Stortford were awarded a free kick just in front of the dugouts when Onyeagwara appeared to be fouling Oppong but the decision went the visitors way. The kick was lifted forward by Dasilva. The tall Thompson easily out jumped York and headed the ball on across the goal but Akanbi could not reach the ball as it went behind for a goal kick. The restart was played forward to Oppong who had a chance to run into space down the left wing but was caught from behind by Virciglio and brought down and joined his teammate in the Referee’s notebook. However, the element of surprise was gone allowing Stortford to regroup and defend the resulting free kick.

With a little over twenty minutes to play, Kettering made their second substitution with Stanley being withdrawn to enable Ismael Fatadjo the chance to make his league debut for the club.

Two minutes later, Davies under pressure from Loza deep inside his own half played the ball back to his keeper who on being closed down by Ranger hastily cleared the ball. The clearance had decent length but poor direction and Oppong ran onto the ball and chested it forward in the direction of Powell once again occupying the left flank. He ran at the visitor’s captain Thompson rounding him with ease and sending in a low ball to the feet of Ranger about four yards out from goal. His marker Phillips, trying to pull Nile slipped over, allowing captain for the day, Nile to take three or four touches before slotting the ball home from close range.   2-1 Kettering  73 mins.

Kettering regained possession almost immediately from the restart and Fatadjo threaded a ball down the right wing for both Powell and Loza to chase in the space behind the left back. Jamar peeled off into the middle leaving the ball to Callum who ran into the penalty area and shot from an acute angle to see his shot pass across the face of the goal when, off loading the ball to the better placed Loza might have proved more effective.

Stortford had not given up hope and a lovely Cruyff turn by Onyeagwara left Lewis for dead and allowed the forward to chip a delicate ball forward towards Chalwell some 30 yards from goal. The substitute showed some delightful skill in cushioning the ball on his chest and playing in the advancing Akanbi. He was closely shepherded by Voice and he spurned the opening by sending his shot wide.

With twelve minutes left Kettering were awarded a free kick wide out on the open side. Taken short by Powell to Thanoj, he returned the ball to Callum to attempt to skirt the right back and succeeded in wining a corner as the rain started to come down harder. The set piece from Powell was somewhat overhit allowing Davies at the far post to clear the ball. Having got their noses in front, Kettering made their third change of the afternoon replacing Oppong with a recognised defender granting a Kettering debut to Askum White.

As the game entered it’s final ten minutes, Voice dispossessed Onyeagwara on the edge of Kettering’s penalty area with a firm tackle. The Wolverhampton youngster looked up and picked out the open Powell just about on the halfway line close to the open side touchline. He raced forward into the open space in front of him carrying the ball into the Stortford penalty area before firing off a shot from about ten yards out which was well saved by Hayton who turned the ball over for a corner which came to nothing.

Five minutes later, Thanoj in the middle of the park picked out Loza open on the stand side. Jamar advanced and took on Davies the left back and won before driving a low cross into the middle. It evaded the diving Hayton running through to Haines who with Ranger lurking managed to get a toe on the ball to cut it out but only managed to play the ball to Fatadjo who gladly accepted the gift and swept the ball home into the bottom corner. 3-1 Kettering  84 mins.

Before the restart Bishop’s Stortford made their second change replacing Virciglio with Rehan Field. Stortford hadn’t thrown in the towel and shortly after Dasilva picked out Onyeagwara with a good cross field diagonal ball. The wide man faced up by York delivered a lifted ball into the Kettering penalty area. An attempted diving headed clearance by Andoh spun of his head and through to an open Chalwell at the far post. The forward presented with an unexpected opening did well to control the ball before pirouetting and producing a snapshot on the turn it appeared to be touched over by Alexander and the forward claimed a corner but the Referee awarded a goal kick.

Kettering attacked once more and Loza beat the offside trap to race forward on the open side making for the by-line before turning the ball back across the goal towards his former Leiston teammate Fatadjo. The pass was inaccurate though and Field looked to clear the ball but mis-kicked allowing Ismael to take possession. Fatadjo squared the ball to Powell who shot through a crowded goal mouth but straight at the unsighted Hayton who would have been struggling if the ball had been a couple of feet either side of him.

With the game entering the closing stages, Fatadjo played the ball forward to Powell who looked eager to cap his performance with a goal but was stopped in his progress by a hip throw from Haines earning the defender the third yellow card of the afternoon for Stortford. Powell was determined to take the kick himself from a central position about 25 yards out but he put the ball over the bar and the Tin Hat. Before the goal kick could be taken, Kai Fifield replaced Nile Ranger as time expired with an additional four minutes to be played.

With one minute played, Loza threaded a nicely weighted through ball forward for Powell to run onto but just as Callum looked to be away a expertly timed tackle by Haines on the edge of the penalty area took the ball away from the forward and back to Hayton.

 Deep into added time Powell threaded  a ball through for Fifield to run onto. Kai got in front of Field and shimmied into a shooting position but his firm shot was pushed over the bar by Hayton with another good save for an unproductive corner.

The game finished with another penetrating run by Powell who set up Loza but his shot was inaccurate passing across the face of goal as Mr Pattison brought proceeding to a conclusion with the final whistle.

  Full Time: Kettering Town 3  Bishop’s Stortford 1

Kettering dispelled the blues of their early exit from the Emirates FA Cup with a comprehensive victory over the “Blues”. After a slow start in the opening twenty minutes, the Poppies took charge of the game before conceding and against the run of play before half time. The presence of Callum Powell for the second half changed the course of the match completely and a final scoreline of 6 or 7 would not have flattered Kettering such was their dominance. If Callum had avoided injury against Redditch last season the club could have been enjoying seaside trips to Scarborough, Southport and Blackpool this season. As Powell and his younger teammates such as Lewis, Oppong, Stanley and Fifield tune into each others game wavelength and start performing with more harmony Kettering going forward will be feared throughout the league. The return of Ismael Fatadjo to competitive football was encouraging and further adds to Kettering armoury. The season is still full of promise.

Kettering Town yellow cards: Coaching staff member – dissent

Bishop’s Stortford yellow cards: Haines, Virciglio, Phillips – fouls,

Attendance: 960

Kettering Town Man-of-the-Match selected by Pete Threadgold – Callum Powell –  A virtuoso performance that was only missing a goal to put the cherry on the cake. His introduction at half time was the flame to the touchpaper that saw Kettering explode into life. He gave the right back a torrid time attacking him with pace and trickery setting up two goals and numerous other chances.

Honourable mention must be made of the performance of Caden Voice. Thrown into a defence line scarcely knowing the players alongside him for a 19-year-old he showed a steady head beyond his years and grew in stature as the game progressed.