22 Jul CORBY TOWN 1-2 KETTERING TOWN

CORBY TOWN    1    –    2       KETTERING TOWN

The Poppies maintained their unbeaten run in this pre-season friendly programme with a hard earned  2-1 win at a wet and windswept Steel Park. In a competitive game in which three home players were cautioned for over exuberant tackles, the hosts took the lead in just the third minute. Kettering equalised through Ty Lewthwaite in the 17th minute,with Kelvin Langmead (above) scoring the winner on 63 minutes with his first goal for the club.

Photo Peter Short.

Kettering’s line up:

Billy Johnson
Owen Cochrane (Trialist,79)
Harry Reilly
Kelvin Langmead
Lewis White
Rhys Sharpe (Luca Miller,84)
Trialist
Gary Stohrer (Trialist,74)
Charley Barker (Trialist,60)
Ty Lewthwaite (Kai O’Keefe,81)
Sam Bennett (Trialist,74)

With the rain bucketing down and a stiff breeze it wasn’t exactly a pleasant summer afternoon. If that was a shock to the system for the Kettering team,they were to get another one after just four minutes as the Steelmen took the lead.

Kettering keeper, Billy Johnson, got down well to save a low shot and as the ball came off a Kettering defender the keeper safely collected. The Referee seemed to indicate that it was a back pass and awarded an indirect free kick from just 8 yards out. After the first free kick was charged down, the Referee ordered a re-take and Corby converted this time to take the lead.

The Poppies came into the game quickly after this set back and Sam Bennett saw his shot deflected wide for a corner.

On 13 minutes Bennett was put clear on the left,but his left foot shot drifted across goal. The on- rushing Owen Cochrane got to the ball on the by-line but was only able to direct the ball across goal and the chance was gone.

The next chance fell to Ty Lewthwaite but his good run was spoiled by a poor shot at the keeper.

Kettering equalised on 17 minutes. A swift break saw Bennett put Lewthwaite clear and his left foot finish was clinical.

The Steelmen rallied and Johnson saved very well, low down to his right, at full stretch.

With the weather conditions still prevailing and both teams struggling to put passes together,the rest of the half was forgettable, apart from the efforts being put in by both teams, but they were failing to put either keeper under any pressure.

Half time:         CORBY TOWN    1     –     1      KETTERING TOWN

With Kettering now having the dubious benefit of the wind at their backs they could have taken the lead within minutes of the restart. The ball broke kindly for Sam Bennett on the right and he broke clear. His low cross to Ty Lewthwaite saw a great chance, but the tall striker completely missed his kick and the opportunity was lost.

Kettering largely controlled the game in the second half, which saw the customary substitutions for both sides with Kettering making six changes in all.

On 57 minutes a good chance fell to a Kettering trialist who had been on from the start – and his on-target drive was stopped with a great block from a home defender.  A couple of minutes later a direct free kick by Rhys Sharpe from 23 yards saw the shot deflected wide.

What proved to be the winning goal came after 63 minutes in simple fashion. Sharpe’s long throw into the six yard box from the left was headed in by Kelvin Langmead.

The inevitable substitutions followed and the game drifted to the finish with the best chance falling to a Kettering substitute, who saw his shot blocked away.

Full time :      CORBY TOWN      1   –   2     KETTERING TOWN

Attendance: 607 (Kettering fans and officials estimated at 100).

Match report by Sadman

The Poppies have three remaining friendlies:

Desborough Town away on Tuesday 25th July at 7.45pm

HOME: (Both pay what you want games):

MK Dons U19’s on Thursday 27th at 7.30pm

Spalding United on Saturday 29th at 3pm

Our league fixtures begin on Saturday 5th August and August fixtures are:

HOME: (Adults £15; Concessions £10; Children £2)

Saturday August 12th at 3pm: Stourbridge

Saturday August 19th at 3pm: Halesowen

Monday August 28th at 3pm: St Ives Town

AWAY

Saturday 5th August at 3pm: Stamford

Monday 14th August at 7.45pm: Barwell

Saturday 26th August at 3pm: Redditch United