Full Time:

Match Report

Match Sponsors : B M PALLETS

Today’s Mascot: MATTHEW HARRIS

IN A NUTSHELL: After a goalless first half the Ives took the lead in the 54th minute through Ben Seymour-Shove. The Poppies eventually responded with an 84th minute Aaron O’Connor goal.

THE KETTERING SQUAD: James Haran played his first game for 6 weeks after injury. Brett Solkhon also started with Jack O’Connor and Jack Kelly reverting to the bench. Liam Canavan was serving the first of a two game ban.

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: It was a very quiet start to the game and it wasn’t until the 12th minute that a team threatened and it was the visitors who forced two fruitless corners. Kettering then had a corner of their own as the cross from the right fell for Gary Mulligan and his on target volley unfortunately hit James Haran who was given offside. James Brighton’s mishit cross fell onto the top of the net, before the best chance of the game to date fell to James Hall on 18 minutes. Rene Howe set Hall on a run into the box. He created a shooting chance and his left foot drive was stopped by keeper, Tim Trebes who had come out to narrow the angle. Within two minutes Trebes made a better save as he palmed away Aaron O’Connor’s drive. Soon it was the turn of Kettering’s loan keeper, Liam Gooch to save a free kick driven in from the left and then collect the follow up shot. Gooch was then involved in a Kettering piece of hectic defending as he and other defenders somehow blocked three close range shots in the space of seconds as the game remained goalless. Kettering came back and Howe’s shot was blocked before O’Connor volleyed wide from Nathan Hicks’ cross from the right. The Poppies had a couple of chances as Brett Solkhon headed wide from a Lewis Hornby free kick and a late corner was hurredly cleared.

Half Time: Kettering Town 0 - 0 St Ives Town

The Ives started the better of the two teams with Josh Dawkin’s drive being deflected wide for a corner and a second corner was won – and cleared by Kettering. The Poppies briefly threatened as Liam Bateman passed through for Hornby and his turn and left foot shot, albeit with not a firm contact would have beaten Trebes, but the ball drifted wide of the left upright. The Ives took the lead on 54 minutes. A rebound fell on the right for Ben Seymour-Shove and with James Haran playing him onside he ran on to plant the ball past Gooch. The visitors soon threatened again and a free kick was cleared to Jack Bradshaw- but he dragged his right foot shot wide of the left upright with Gooch scrambling. The Poppies began to show a bit more and had to take the game to St Ives. Bateman’s 66th minute cross was headed back across goal by James Brighton and Howe headed just wide. Then Howe’s accurate volley was well blocked. Hornby fired wide and Howe blasted wildly over the bar with Peter Clark seeing his shot for the visitors deflect over the bar. The Poppies gained what was probably a deserved equaliser in the 84th minute. Brighton’s run intothe box saw him upended and with penalty claims being made Aaron O’Connor pounced on the loose ball and drove it into the net. Kettering had the late chances as Solkhon stabbed a Brighton corner wide and substitute Jorrin John cross saw Howe’s header saved.

The Poppies now take on National League North side Brackley Town on Tuesday night in the Hillier Cup semi final at Latimer Park at 7.45pm.

Full Time: Kettering Town 1 - 1 St Ives Town

Attendance: 483 Klondike winner: Pete Dyson wins £140 on winning ticket 14849

Poppies Elgoods Man of the Match chosen by B M Pallets: Nathan Hicks

Team line-ups: Kettering Town: 1 Liam Gooch 2 Liam Bateman 3 Dom Langdon 4 Brett Solkhon (Captain) 5 James Haran (15 Jack Kelly,62) 6 Gary Mulligan (12 Lewis Hornby,32) 7 Nathan Hicks 8 Aaron O’Connor 9 Rene Howe 10 James Hall (14 Jorrin John,62) 11 James Brighton

Subs Unused: 16 Jack O’Connor

Yellow cards: None

St Ives Town : 1 Tim Trebes 2 Jack Bradshaw 3 Jordan Jarrold (12 Charlie De’Ath 88) 4 Lee Chaffey (Captain) 5 Liam McDevitt 6 Tom McGowan 7 Ben Seymour-Shove (14 Jack Higgs,76) 8 Peter Clark (15 Casey Douglas,89) 9 Danny Kelly 10 Josh Dawkin 11 Charlie Day

Subs unused: 16 Dubi Ogbonna

Yellow Cards:None