Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL: In a competitive game tonight, the Martyrs took the lead through a great finish from Ian Traylor in the 21st minute and had the better of the first half. Rather like the game at Chesham last week, the Poppies took the game to Merthyr for the whole of the second period � but failed to really test the home keeper. Merthyr�s second goal, in added time, was a breakaway scored by Josh Yorwerth. Both Liam Bateman and Ben Bradshaw were off with injuries by the start of the second half. THE KETTERING SQUAD: Lewis Hornby was injured again and Dom Langdon unavailable due to work. In came James Haran and Brett Solkhon. Rene Howe replaced Aaron O�Connor in attack. HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: Kettering keeper,Dean Snedker, made a good early save from Ryan Prosser, not knowing that the forward was offside. The Poppies had a chance in the 11th minute as a corner was cleared to Ben Bradshaw.His cross found skipper,Brett Solkhon,but his header looped over the bar. It had been a lively start to the game with both sides committed to attack. Spencer Weir-Daley had a difficult chance to reach the ball in the penalty area and a defender cleared. Kettering then had another chance at a corner as Liam Canavan�s downward header was stabbed clear. Merthyr created danger as Ben Watkins crossed from the right. Snedker missed the testing cross as did home leading scorer,Kayne McLaggon, and the ball drifted away for a goal kick. In the next minute,Kettering broke quickly down the right, but Rene Howe�s cross was taken by Glyn Garner in the home goal. On 20 minutes Snedker saved well from an Ashley Evans� drive.In the next minute Merthyr took the lead. A low cross from the left found Ian Traylor just inside the penalty area in a central position. Unmarked,he took a touch and curled an unstoppable left foot shot into the top corner. The Poppies tried an immediate response and Garner had to be off his line quickly to gather from Weir-Daley as he tried to connect to Howe�s header. Merthyr took some control and Kettering�s cause was not helped by Ben Bradshaw coming off with a knee injury. He had looked the pick of the Kettering team at that point. Kettering rode out the rest of the half to go in just a goal down Half Time: Merthyr Town 1 - 0 Kettering Town Liam Bateman failed to show for the second half with, again, a hamstring issue. Solkhon went to central defence with James Haran replacing Bateman at right back. Aaron O�Connor came on to form what looked like a four man attack. Both keepers made good takes from dangerous crosses before Kettering�s Nathan Hicks fired wildly wide. Kettering were firmly in attacking mode and Wilson Carvalho�s 54th minute shot drifted wide. Merthyr finally got forward and Snedker saved a scuffed effort from Prosser after a corner. Carvalho again fired wide as Kettering poured forward and dicatated play- a complete reversal of the first period. There was always the chance of a breakaway for the home side and McLaggon�s 68th minute cross cum shot drifted wide. McLaggon then fired badly over the bar. Ketering�s pressure increased with the home side conceding corners and free kicks- but the defence was solid and Kettering were firing blanks. Another break for Merthyr saw Evans lash the ball high over the bar. Keyon Reffell�s 30 yard shot was easily saved by Snedker and on 82 minutes sloppy play from Liam Canavan allowed another break for Merthyr. McLaggon was clear and Snedker made a great save. Traylor fired over the loose ball. Kettering�s efforts had not forced Garner into a real save and as they tired towards the end Mclaggon�s overhead kick was over the bar. In added time McLaggon got the better of Solkhon on the right and slipped the ball across for Josh Yorwerth to ram in from close range to the relief of the home side and supporters. This result leaves the Poppies in the wrong half of the table and another vital away game at St Ives on Saturday. Full Time: Merthyr Town 2 - 0 Kettering Town Attendance: 408 (Poppies fans estimated at 35) Poppies Man of the Match: James Haran Team line-ups: Merthyr Town: 1 Glyn Garner 2 Ben Watkins 3 Scott Tancock 4 Ashley Evans (Captain) 5 Curtis McDonald 6 Jarrad Wright 7 Ryan Prosser (15 Eliot Richards,67) 8 Josh Yorweth 9 Kayne McLaggon 10 Keyon Reffell 11 Ian Traylor Subs Unused: 12 Gethin Jones 13 Oliver Davies 14 Scott Barrow 16 Gavin Williams Yellow cards: Tancock,34. Kettering Town: 1 Dean Snedker 2 Liam Bateman (16 Aaron O�Connor,46) 3 James Brighton 4 Brett Solkhon (Captain) 5 Gary Mulligan 6 James Haran 7 Wilson Carvalho 8 Spencer Weir-Daley (12 Matthew Barnes-Homer,74) 9 Rene Howe 10 Liam Canavan 11 Ben Bradshaw (14 Nathan Hicks,38) Subs Unused: 15 Paul Malone 18 Ben Stephens Yellow cards: None