MATCH SUMMARY:
Rather like the league game a couple of weeks back, the Poppies dominated this game. The tie was effectively over after a first half which saw three goals scored by Nile Ranger, the returning Bruno Andrade and Luca Miller. The second period was professionally managed by the visitors who saw the game out comfortably with no further change to the scoreline.
THE KETTERING SQUAD:
Only five of the permitted seven substitutes were named as Dan Jarvis joined the injured list along with Devon Kelly-Evans, Kai Fifield and Huw Dawson. Daniel Omovon was not listed, and Marvin Sordell was unavailable. Bruno Andrade who returned to the Club this week was in the starting line up. Kombe Kawimbe was completing his month loan on the day.
THE TEAMS:
St Ives Town:
1 Dan Wilks
2 Benji Mensah (14 David Adegbola,56)
3 Paddy Casey
4 Jernade Meade (17 Greg Kaziboni,76)
5 Jordan Williams
6 Alex Collard (Captain)
7 Silvano Obeng (15 Aaron Smith,36)
8 Ed Hotter (16 Johnny Herd,66)
9 Johnny Edwards
10 Kobe Chong
20 Amaru Kaunda
Unused Substitutes:
12 Ethan Creary
18 Albie O’Keefe
Yellow Cards: None
Kettering Town:
1 Dan Jezeph
2 Ben Hart
3 Aaron Powell
5 Connor Johnson (Captain)
8 Andi Thanoj
9 Nile Ranger
11 Tyree Wilson (18 Kombe Kawimbe,64)
12 Lewis White (14 Harlain Mbayo,83)
16 Isiah Noel-Williams (6 Sidik Atcha,76)
17 Luca Miller
21 Bruno Andrade
Unused Substitutes:
7 Wes York
13 Jason Alexander (G/K)
Yellow Cards: None
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:
It was a pleasant day at the Quattro-Tech Stadium as the teams met on the 3Gg surface for the second time in just under three weeks.
Within the first minute, Kettering keeper Dan Jezeph ran 60 yards off his line to clear a through ball. Kettering’s first attempt on goal on 5 minutes saw home keeper, Dan Wilks, comfortably collect a direct free kick from Andi Thanoj.
A St Ives free kick taken by ex Poppies loanee ,Kobe Chong, saw Jordan Williams head wide – this was after 7 minutes, and little was to be seen of the home attack for the rest of the half. Kettering, ably marshalled by Andi Thanoj in midfield, took control.
A flowing Poppies move saw Wilks out to intercept a cross, but he was stranded on 10 minutes as a low cross from the right from Ben Hart saw Nile Ranger stab in at the far post to put the visitors in front.
St Ives 0 -1 Kettering Town
Kettering ware dominating possession, and another Hart cross was cut out by Wilks. Aaron Powell shot wide, and a now rare Ives attack saw Chong fire straight at Jezeph.
In the 18th minute, there was panic in the home defence as Luca Miller advanced, and as he lost control, Powell nipped in to shoot just wide. This was followed in the next attack by panic in the home defence, which was overwhelmed by a buoyant Kettering. Several chances followed as the ball ping-ponged in the penalty area, but no Kettering player could add the final touch.
The Poppies were flowing forward, and another Hart incisive run saw him just lose control before crossing. As the half reached the 25th minute the lively Tyree Wilson saw his left foot shot knocked away from goal by Wilks, and Bruno Andrade’s shot was then held by the keeper.
The Poppies doubled their lead in the 33rd minute. Great work on the left by Isiah Noel-Williams saw him feed Andrade who produced a fantastic shot into the far corner- giving Wilks no chance.
St Ives 0 – 2 Kettering Town
It was soon 3-0. The next flowing move on 37 minutes saw Ranger and Noel-Williams combine giving Luca Miller the chance to lash the ball high into the net past Wilks.
St Ives 0 – 3 Kettering Town
The half came to a close with another Hart cross scrambled clear and a final set piece for the home side which saw Williams head over the bar.
Half Time : St Ives Town 0 – 3 Kettering Town
There were no player changes at half time.
It was soon clear that the visitors’ tactic was to ‘manage’ the game and this was exactly what happened in the half. St Ives were allowed more possession and again the first real action of the half saw Jezeph off his line to smother from the usually dangerous Johnny Edwards.
Andi Thanoj saw his 57th minute free kick cannon off of the defensive wall and a couple of minutes later Edwards had the home side’s best chance to date as he attempted to race clear. However, Lewis White and Connor Johnson were up to the task and foiled the home team’s star striker.
Home substitute, David Adegbola, shot from the right but the effort was high and wide. Chong’s 72nd minute effort was his team’s best chance to date, but the shot was into the side netting.
The Poppies bounced back with Noel-Wiliams’ left foot shot marginally over the bar and on 74 minutes Andrade raced clear, but his finish was poor.
Substitute Kombe Kawimbe, on for Wilson, put a shot wide and Andrade’s 84th minute free kick was over the bar.
As the game came to a close, Dan Jezeph was called into action twice tipping away efforts from under his crossbar. In added time, Thanoj saw his free kick saved.
The final whistle saw the massed away fans and players celebrating a great win. The draw for the 4th Round Qualifying will be made on Monday.
Full Time: St Ives Town 0 – 3 Kettering Town
Attendance: 681 (Poppies fans estimated at over 400)
Poppies Media man of the match: Andi Thanoj
Referee: David Jones; Assistant Referees: Oliver Sadd and Aimee Kier; 4th Official: Craig Forbes.
Forthcoming HOME games:
Saturday 5th October: Gainsborough Trinity at 3pm (Isuzu FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round)
Saturday 19th October: AFC Sudbury at 3pm
Tuesday 22nd October: Stourbridge FC at 7.45pm
Forthcoming Away game:
Tuesday 15th October: Bromsgrove Sporting at 7.45pm
(Saturday 12th October, we await the FA Cup draw for the 4th Round Qualifying which will be made on Monday 30th September. Saturday 26th October is reserved in case of further progress in the Isuzu F A Trophy)
