MATCH SUMMARY:
The Poppies failed to convert their first half dominance into goals today. A crazy five minutes just into the second half sealed their fate as Royston scored the only goal of the game, followed by the controversial sending off of visiting keeper, Dan Jezeph for a handball offence. Royston had their own red card when another controversial decision in the 78th minute saw substitute, Oluwakoyejo Dawodu, sent off after only 24 minutes on the field.
THE KETTERING SQUAD:
Andi Thanoj was back after injury and replaced the injured Isiah Noel-Williams. Loanee Kombe Kawimbe was amongst the substitutes.
THE TEAMS:
Royston Town:
1 Tommy Dixon-Hodge
3 James Brighton
4 Joshua Coldicott-Stevens (Captain)
7 Tyrone Baker
8 Ben Weyman (6 Charlie Johnson,73)
11 Luke Johnson
12 Bradley Roberts
14 Tiago Silva Nassuncolo (10 Jesse Akubuine,73)
15 Harvey Beckett
18 Eunis Lievins (16 Oluwakoyejo Dawodu,54)
20 Daniel Izekor (5 Adam Murray,27)
Unused Substitutes:
19 Zane Hamilton-Campbell
Yellow Card: Charlie Johnson,86
Red Card: Dawodu,78
Kettering Town:
1 Dan Jezeph
2 Ben Hart (Captain)
3 Aaron Powell
4 Devon Kelly-Evans
5 Connor Johnson
6 Harlain Mbayo
7 Wes York
8 Andi Thanoj
11 Tyree Wilson (10 Dan Jarvis,90+3)
17 Luca Miller (6 Sidik Atcha, 54)
19 Kai Fifield (9 Remaye Campbell,65)
Unused Substitutes:
18 Kombe Kawimbe
20 Daniel Emovon
Yellow Card: Wilson,57
Red Card: Jezeph,52.
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:
The pitch was in great condition and the sun appeared before kick-off only to be replaced by cloudy conditions as the game progressed.
The game was to be played at a fast pace and it was a lively start to the game. The first threat came from the home team as Ben Hart cleared a threatening cross. The Poppies took control and took the game to the Crows and a sweeping move down the right saw Devon Kelly-Evans’ cross deflected for a corner. From the restart, Tyree Wilson saw his shot blocked.
Home keeper,Tommy Dixon-Hodge collected crosses from Hart and Wes York as the pressure continued.
On 16 minutes, Royston broke out of defence and Tiago Silva Nassunculo was clear on goal. Dan Jezeph spread himself and made an excellent save.
That was going to be Jezeph’s only contribution to the first half as the Poppies dominated possession for the rest of the half. Luca Miller was getting rough treatment and a number of fouls saw him grounded- but the Referee declined to issue cautions.
On 22 minutes, a great move saw Wilson lay the ball off to Aaron Powell on the left and his cross was met by York, who headed narrowly over. A couple of minutes later Kelly-Evans opened up the defence, again feeding York, and the cross was scrambled away for an unproductive corner.
Further pressure followed on the Crows defence and Hart’s penetrating run was somehow forced out. Another Hart thrust won a further corner but the Referees Assistant signalled the restart had gone out of play.
As the Poppies continued to dominate possession, Miller saw his shot saved by Dixon-Hodge.
Half Time : Royston Town 0 – 0 Kettering Town
There were no player changes at half time.
The Crows took the lead on 47 minutes. Tyrone Baker threatened on a run down the left. Kettering central defender Harlain Mbayo got across to challenge. As Baker went down clumsily in the penalty area, it was either a penalty or a goal kick. The Referee opted for a corner! From this Royston scored. The corner wasn’t cleared and Harvey Beckett poked the ball in from a few yards out.
Worse was to come five minutes later. A through ball saw Jezeph race well out of his area to intercept. A Royston player got there first and as the ball reared up, Jezeph was adjudged to have handled. Despite Kettering defenders being in close attendance, the Referee issued a straight red card.
With Connor Johnson then taking the gloves, Miller was sacrificed as Sidik Atcha came on in central defence.
This spurred Royston who enjoyed their best spell of the game putting the ten men under severe pressure. Substitute Adam Murray met a free kick and headed against the bar. Murray’s next header saw Connor Johnson save well and then he did well to hold onto a low cross from Baker.
Then on 62 minutes, Royston could have doubled their score as a 4 on1 break saw Baker mis-hit his shot. Baker then got in a better effort and his vicious shot cannoned off Mbayo’s head.
Connor Johnson looked comfortable in goal though and he held a Silva Nassunculo shot and tipped over a good effort from Baker. Johnson then saved from his namesake Johnson (Charlie) who had come on making three ‘Johnsons’ on the pitch.
The game changed again on 78 minutes when home substitute Oluwakoyejo was shown a straight red card, being adjudged to be the last defender. It looked a harsh dismissal, as again, other defenders appeared to be in the vicinity.
This signalled all out attack for the Poppies. The resultant free kick saw Andi Thanoj’s effort blocked.
As the red shirts steamed forward Kettering substitute Remaye Campbell thought he had scored with a low left foot curling shot which somehow Dixon-Hodge kept out at his right post.It was the save of the game.
However, constant pressure forcing corners and set pieces came to nothing as the home side took the points after five added minutes.
Full Time: Royston Town 1 – 0 Kettering Town
Attendance: 584 (Poppies fans estimated at 150)
Poppies Media man of the match: Devon Kelly-Evans
Referee: Zak Demetriades ; Assistant Referees: Jack Baldock and Dwayne Ulyett
Forthcoming HOME games:
Saturday September 14th – Cleethorpes Town (Emirates FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying)
Saturday September 21st – Lowestoft Town at 3pm
Tuesday September 24th – Stamford AFC at 7.45pm
Forthcoming AWAY games:
Monday September 9th at St Ives Town at 7.45pm
