Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL: The Poppies were 2-0 down after just 16 minutes as Curtis MacDonald and Eliot Richards put the visitors in control. Despite a Rene Howe goal on 66 minutes and having plenty of the ball, another defensive howler gifted Merthyr a third goal from substitute Corey Jenkins in the 76th minute to complete the scoring. THE KETTERING SQUAD: It was the same 11 who started at Leamington with Aaron O’Connor amongst the substitutes along with Dean Snedker. HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: It was a cold day at Latimer Park with the pitch holding up well after the frosts, but it was a heavy surface. Kettering started the brighter of the two teams with Rene Howe and Liam Canavan setting up a chance for Matthew Barnes-Homes but the shot was too high. Then James Brighton’s shot was an easy take for visiting keeper, Oliver Davies. Merthyr’s first foray into Kettering’s half saw a corner won on the left. From the kick they scored as Curtis Macdonald headed in unchallenged at the near post through a group of players. Another set piece on 12 minutes also threatened the Kettering goal but the ball was cleared. It was 2-0 after 16 minutes. Ryan Prosser controlled a long throw and neatly laid the ball back for Eliot Richards to fire past Paul White. The Poppies were shocked and the Martyrs took control of the game, leaving men behind the ball, and the Poppies struggled to make any immediate impression. It wasn’t until the 26th minute that Kettering threatened as a good move set up Nathan Hicks for the shot and Davies saved with his legs. The game continued in the same pattern with Merthyr only interested in containing the game and getting 10 men back and relying on the break. And it was working. Brighton’s 38th minute free kick was headed over by Barnes-Homer and Kettering’s first half was summed up as Wilson Carvalho made a complete hash of a corner making it into a goal kick. A rare Merthyr break almost got them a third goal after 42 minutes. Richards’ excellent shot saw an equally excellent save as White, at full stretch, pushed the ball against the bar and picked up the loose ball. Half Time: Kettering Town 0 - 2 Merthyr Town The Poppies came out with more resolve and within two minutes Barnes-Homer had the ball in the net but was offside. Liam Canavan’s 48th minute shot was saved by Davies and Brighton’s searching low cross was deflected away for a corner. From the cross Dom Langdon’s header was low to the keeper’s left and he saved well. The Poppies continued on the offensive and Howe set up Canavan, but the shot was just past the post. The game settled for 10 minutes with Merthyr happy to sit back and rely on any breaks possible. It was in the 66th minute that Kettering scored. Wilson Carvalho got a cross in from the right and Howe poked the ball goalwards. Both a defender and keeper,Davies, struggled with the ball near the line and the Referee signalled a goal with a reluctant flag from the Assistant. Scott Tancock was yellow carded for protesting. With a couple of minutes, Kettering worked a good move with Canavan getting the ball on the left. His cross-shot came off the bar and was cleared. Merthyr had to regroup and Keyon Reffell may have done better as a corner fell to him- but he could not control the ball. Rene Howe’s low 25 yard shot on 71 minutes almost squirmed past Davies, who recovered to collect. The Kettering suicide button was pressed on 76 minutes as James Haran failed to clear and Langdon mishit a back pass allowing substitute Corey Jenkins to run on unchallenged to stroke past White. Merthyr’s hold on the game was completed as they saw the game out comfortably with only Howe providing any threat- but his 80th minute shot soared over the bar. The Poppies have another testing home game on Tuesday when Frome visit. Kick-off 7.45pm. Full Time: Kettering Town 1 - 3 Merthyr Town Attendance: 493 Poppies Elgoods Brewery Man of the Match: Rene Howe Klondike (£160) Number:13039 Winner: Pat Breslin Team line-ups: Kettering Town: 1 Paul White 2 Liam Bateman 3 Dom Langdon 4 Nathan Hicks (16 Aaron O’Connor,61;15 Jordan Wilson,76) 5 James Haran 6 Gary Mulligan (Captain) 7 Wilson Carvalho 8 Matthew Barnes-Homer 9 Rene Howe 10 Liam Canavan (14 Brett Solkhon,76) 11 James Brighton Subs Unused: 14 Jack Kelly 17 Dean Snedker Yellow card: Haran,78 Merthyr Town: 1 Oliver Davies 2 Adam Davies 3 Scott Barrow 4 Ashley Evans (Captain) 5 Curtis MacDonald 6 Scott Tancock 7 Ryan Prosser 8 Eliot Richards (15 Kyle Patten,65) 9 Kayne McLaggon (17 Corey Jenkins,65) 10 Keyon Refell 11 Ian Traylor (12 Ben Watkins,82) Subs Unused: 14 Gavin Williams 16 Kyle Copp Yellow Card: Tancock,67.