Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL: In a frenetic game, played in a great atmosphere, the points were shared with Kettering taking a 14th minute lead through Liam Canavan, with Sam Austin’s 43rd minute penalty getting the point that Leamington came for. Leamington shaded the first half and Kettering the second, although goal chances were relatively few. THE SQUAD: The squad was rotated again. In came Liam Bateman,Herve Pepe-N’Goma,Wilson Carvalho and James Brighton. That meant that Ben Baker,Perry Cotton, Will Grocott and Ben Stephens reverted to the substitutes bench. HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: The start was industrious from both teams and Leamington were keen to get forward straight away. They forced a couple of corners and a couple of Richard Taundry’s long throws and Jack Edwards 5th minute shot flew high and wide. Then Leamington broke quickly – a feature of the half- and won another corner which was met by Kettering’s Dom Langdon who got there just before Edwards. Yet another free kick was Langdon clear again and from a Taundry long throw, Sam Austin fired over. There was little time to catch your breath as now Kettering tried a long Liam Bateman throw which was cleared away for a fruitless corner. Bateman was then back in defence as he intercepted an Austin cross and his header, conceding a corner,was just past the left post. In Kettering’s first real meaningful attack they scored. Rene Howe won a header and found Liam Canavan in space. His first shot was well saved by Tony Breedon as was the follow up effort – but Canavan and a defender went for the loose ball and it was poked into the net with Canavan credited with the goal. The game the started to settle down more and although Leamington were still breaking well- they could not test Craig Hill in the home goal. Joe Magunda sustained an injury and was substituted with Jack Edwards reverting to defence. Langdon then got in another saving header from a dangerous looking corner on 27 minutes. Kettering were next to show in front of goal as Brett Solkhon met James Brighton’s free kick and found Canavan- but the shot was into the side netting. Leamington equalized from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute. Ex Poppy Courtney Baker- Richardson went down under a challenge from Chris Carruthers as he went away from goal. After the Referee and an Assistant conferred the penalty was given and Sam Austin sent Hill the wrong way. Kettering could have re-taken the lead in the second minute of added time. David Popa did well on the right. He squared a lovely ball across for Canavan, who, with the goal at his mercy mishit his left foot shot wide. Half Time: Kettering Town 1 - 1 Leamington FC It was Kettering who took the game to their visitors right from the off. Leamington lost left back Connor Gudger and Rob Elvins deputised, meaning another reorganisation in defence. A neat early move between Bateman and Wilson Carvalho saw the cross well cleared and James Brighton’s shot was parried away by Breedon. It was then Canavan’s turn to see his shot also parried away by the keeper. Kettering kept on the front foot as they won a corner on the left and from the kick, Brighton was over in the box with the fans calling for a penalty- but nothing doing decided the Referee. Breedon held Brighton’s 66th minute free kick and in the visitors first real attack of the half on 70 minutes, Baker-Richardson’s break away saw his pass over-hit. Brighton’s 73rd minute free kick was just wide as Breedon had it covered and the Poppies continued to press with both a free kick and corner comfortably dealt with by the Brakes’ defence. As the game entered the last 10 minutes Kettering had a great chance when Howe set up Carvalho- but he snatched at the shot which flew over the bar. Leamington forced a late corner and Kettering’s Brighton punted a free kick over everyone’s heads as the game ended in stalemate. Overall Breedon was the busier keeper, with Craig Hill not having a shot to save, but each team got a valuable point in the end. The Poppies are at home again on Thursday to Bedworth (7.45pm) and on Saturday to Bideford (3pm). Full Time: Kettering Town 1 - 1 Leamington FC Attendance: 669 Sponsor Bryan Lewin Poppies man of the match:Rene Howe Klondike: £150 Number: 6978 Winner: not yet claimed Trust 500 Club (each wins £50): Numbers: 428 Paul Male; 037 Adrian Lovell-Moore;437 Jamie Nelson Team Starting line-ups: Kettering: Craig Hill;Liam Bateman;Dominic Langdon;Brett Solkhon (Captain);Chris Carruthers;Herve Pepe N’Goma;Wilson Carvalho;Liam Canavan (Silvano Obeng,81) Rene Howe (Ben Stephens 86);David Popa (Will Grocott 69); James Brighton. Subs Unused: Ben Baker;Perry Cotton Leamington: Tony Breedon;Richard Taundry;Connor Gudger (Rob Elvins,46);Joe Halsall;Jamie Tank;Joe Magunda (Ben George,22);Lee Moore;Callum Gittings;Courtney Baker-Richardson (Ben Mackey,74);Jack Edwards,Sam Austin. Subs Unused: Rob Ogleby;Ross Oulton. Yellow cards: Kettering: Canavan,36. Leamington: None.