Match Report Stourbridge vs KTFC 15 February 2025

MATCH SUMMARY:

By the 50th minute the Poppies had a firm grip on this game after Isiah Noel-Williams had put them in front in the 29th minute and Terell Pennant doubled the lead early in the second half. Jonny Edwards, a 70th minute substitute, then scored from the penalty spot in the 80th minute. Stourbridge scored a controversial consolation goal in the first minute of added time through Richard Batchelor.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

The only changes in the squad from last week were on the substitutes bench as new signings, Kyle Stohrer and Sam McLintock replaced Luca Miller, who is on loan at St Ives, and Gary Stohrer who was getting game time at Wellingborough on dual registration.

THE TEAMS:

STOURBRIDGE FC:

1 Lewys Benjamin
2 Blaine Rowe
3 Harvey Portman
4 Dominic Lewis
5 Jordaan Brown
8 Alex Moore (14 O’Shea Ellis,73)
9 Ethan Fremantle
10 Alexander Jones (Captain) (17 Jack Fletcher,46)
11 Richard Batchelor (20 Elliott Durrell,90+3)
12 Jourdain Nkalambi Masidi (7 Jai Verma,64)
18 Tyrone Barnett

Unused Substitute:
13 Callum Smith (G/K)

Yellow Cards: None

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 (15 Kyle Stohrer,70)
9 Nile Ranger (18 Jonny Edwards (70)
10 Terell Pennant (7 Wes York,59)
11 Tyree Wilson (10 Sam Mclintock,66)
16 Isiah Noel-Williams

Unused Substitute:
12 Lewis White

Yellow Cards: Noel-Williams,76;Jezeph,83;Mclintock,90;Edwards,90+6

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

It was a wet afternoon at the War Memorial Athletic Ground today and the pitch was very heavy following last night’s rain which continued during the morning.

Kettering showed first with Isiah Noel-Williams finding Nile Ranger in the home penalty area but Ranger lost control at the vital moment. The Glassboys countered and recent signing from Alvechurch, Tyrone Barnett could only poke the ball to visiting keeper, Dan Jezeph.

Ben Hart’s free kick was cleared for a Poppies corner which was firmly cleared away. Alex Moore then tested Jezeph with a low shot and, despite a deflection, Jezeph got down well to hold the ball. A flowing Kettering move saw Hart shoot well wide.

The game was end-to-end and both sets of players were learning to deal with the wet conditions. Devon Kelly-Evans saw home keeper Lewys Benjamin make a save and, at the other end, Jezeph took two crosses.

The Poppies to their credit were trying to play flowing football and looked a threat going forward. Terell Pennant won what was to be a fruitless corner and Stourbridge forward, Ethan Freemantle, turned to shoot but the ball dribbled to Jezeph. Kettering’s Alex Gudger cut out a dangerous looking cross just before Stourbridge could have scored as Freemantle fired over the bar with a turn and shot.

Kettering took the lead in the 29th minute. Hart’s cross from the right saw Ranger head towards goal. Benjamin, diving to his left, could only parry the ball across goal and Noel-Williams fired in despite the keeper’s desperate dive.

Stourbridge 0 – 1 Kettering (29 minutes)

The same combination for Kettering just four minutes later saw Ranger cross from the left and Noel-Williams poked the shot high and wide.

On 35 minutes, Hart had one of his trademark runs on the right and his shot was cleared away. A couple of minutes later a high cross from Dominic Lewis bounced off the top of the Kettering crossbar with Jezeph back peddling. For Kettering, Noel-Williams’ shot from the right sailed past the near post.

In first half added time, Freemantle fired wide for the hosts and Kettering’s Hart saw his left foot effort saved by Benjamin. The final action of the half saw Pennant fire into the side netting.

Half Time:

Stourbridge FC 0 – 1 Kettering Town

The Glassboys replaced the injured Jones with Jack Fletcher at the start of the half. They came out all guns blazing and within three minutes forced two long throw-ins and, from the second, Freemantle’s acrobatic overhead kick flashed just over the bar.

The Poppies doubled their lead on 50 minutes. A slip by Richard Batchelor allowed Pennant a clear run to goal and his finish was superb to the keeper’s left for a quality goal.

Stourbridge 0 – 2 Kettering (50 minutes)

The injured Pennant was replaced by Wes York, and on the hour, Ranger nearly added a third as he back heeled a Noel-Williams’s cross towards goal but Benjamin did well to get down to save.

Home substitute, Jai Verma got in a low shot, coming in from the left, but Jezeph got down to save. In the same minute, (68th), Wes York’s cross saw Ranger rattle the crossbar. Sam McLintock replaced the hobbling Tyree Wilson and Kyle Storer and Jonny Edwards then replaced Andi Thanoj and Ranger.

Stourbridge were trying hard and Lewis shot wide pouncing on a clearance.

Now just into the final ten minutes, the Poppies wrapped up the game. Kyle Storer’s incisive pass into the danger area found Kelly-Evans who was tripped by the Stourbridge keeper Benjamin. Jonny Edwards made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Stourbridge 0 – 3 Kettering (80 minutes)

Sam McLintock was looking sharp. He darted down the left on 86 minutes and his low cross was met by Edwards in the six-yard box and his stab at goal sailed over the bar.

The Glassboys pulled a goal back just into added time. Jezeph came for a high ball and appeared to be fouled. The ball fell kindly for Batchelor to roll into the net. Most people believed the Referee had given a free kick, but the goal was awarded.

Stourbridge 1 – 3 Kettering (90+1 minutes)

Stourbridge forced two late corners and Jezeph made an easy save from a Freemantle header.

Just before the final whistle, Kettering’s Edwards rounded Benjamin and his shot was brilliantly cleared by Blaine Rowe off the line, and as the ball broke free, Rowe blocked Edwards’ follow up at the pain of a stretching tackle by Edwards who was subsequently cautioned.

Full Time:

Stourbridge FC 1 – 3 Kettering Town

Attendance: 912 (Kettering fans estimated at 200)

Referee: Andrew Biggin; Assistant Referees: Lewis Tomkins and James Hosie

Poppies Media Kettering Town Man of the Match: Isiah Noel-Williams

FORTHCOMING HOME MATCHES:

Tuesday February 25th: Halesowen Town at 7.45pm

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:

Friday 21st February: Bedford Town at 7.45pm