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Match Report

TONIGHTS MATCH SPONSORS: S C A HYGIENE

IN A NUTSHELL: Quite frankly it was a poor game at a cold and windswept Latimer Park tonight and not a lot happened for 88 minutes. Then, out of the blue, the Poppies hit two goals in the last two minutes through Liam Canavan and Silvano Obeng to win the game.

THE KETTERING SQUAD: With Rene Howe out with a groin injury, in came Will Grocott and Silvano Obeng came in onto the bench.

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

Paulton were the livelier side in the opening stages. Kettering skipper, Brett Solkhon made a good block in just the third minute and in the Poppies first attack Liam Canavan fired high and wide.

Jake Manford curled a shot high over the bar, and on 14 minutes Canavan tried a speculative 50 yard shot, which was no trouble for visiting keeper, Ben John. John was then out to smother from Canavan as he ran through.

The first real threat eventually came on 28 minutes- such was the game. John came out to punch clear and Will Grocott collected the ball and fired goalwards- but John was back in position to save.

Craig Hill then made a routine save from Jordan Ricketts and in the 33rd minute came a great chance for Paulton. Mario Mateus had a great chance in the six yard box but somehow lifted the ball over the bar.

Kettering finally stirred just before the break with a decent move and Spencer Weir-Daley’s cross was cleared for a corner, and from the restart Canavan’s effort was scrambled clear.

Brett Solkhon was replaced at half time by Chris Carruthers due to a hamstring injury.

The second half started as the first half finished. Both sides failed to take any control and were lacking in front of goal.

Canavan shot wide on 50 minutes and Spencer Weir-Daley lacked control from a cross two minutes later, when in a good position.

On 65 minutes Weir-Daley had a half chance as he lashed out with his left foot and John got down well to save at the second attempt. John was then off his line to smother from Weir-Daley.

In truth, neither team really looked like scoring, although Canavan had yet another effort- this time deflected for a corner. From the restart, Silvano Obeng’s shot was also deflected wide.

It was now in the last few minutes and Paulton’s Josh Ford saw a tame shot saved.

With five minutes to go, Kettering suddenly came to life. Grocott latched onto a cross and his shot hit David O’Hare on the head- which prevented a certain goal.

The Poppies forced a corner a minute from time. James Brighton’s delivery was headed goalwards by Canavan, and cleared off the line. Canavan adjusted well and lashed in the rebound.

Straight from the kick-off Kettering scored again. The ball was played down the left to Weir-Daley and his cross was converted at the near post by Obeng.

Now on to Saturday and a home game against St Neots.

Full Time: Kettering Town 2 - 0 Paulton Rovers

Attendance: 408

Match Sponsors, SCA Hygiene Poppies man of the match: James Brighton

Klondike : £135 : Number 4929 ; winner: Laura Clarke

Yellow cards: Kettering: none

Paulton; none

Substitutions:

Kettering: Carruthers for Solkhon,46;Obeng for Langdon,57;Stephens for Carvalho 75.

Paulton: Knighton for Wheatley,43

Starting Line-ups:

Kettering: Craig Hill;Perry Cotton;Dom Langdon;Brett Solkhon (Captain);Gary Mulligan;Herve Pepe-N’Goma;Wilson Carvalho;Will Grocott;Liam Canavan;;Spencer Weir-Daley;James Brighton.

Subs:Ben Baker;Ben Stephens;Chris Carruthers;Richie Danquah;Silvano Obeng

Paulton: Ben John;Kelvin Douglas;Nuno Felix;Alex Grimshaw;Josh Ford;David O’Hare;Leon Jeanne;Mario Mateus;Jake Manford;Jordan Ricketts;Solomon Wheatley.

Subs:Tom Knighton;Lamar Powell;Craig Allan.