Full Time:

Match Report

IN A NUTSHELL: Despite the scoreline this was not a bore draw as both teams looked to play football. With Kettering having the better chances and more possession they were a little unfortunate not to take all three points against a Hitchin side unbeaten in 12 matches and unbeaten in the league at home this season.

THE KETTERING SQUAD: Rene Howe came in for Matthew Barnes-Homer who was attending Dalian Atkinson’s funeral in Telford. James Brighton came onto the bench after injury.

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED: The pitch was a little heavy after rain and frost as the game kicked off in cold and cloudy conditions. Liam Canavan got underneath the ball for a 5th minute shot well over the bar and Lucas Kirkpatrick replied in the next minute with a low shot straight at Dean Snedker. Spencer Weir-Daley’s turn and shot was easy for debutant Liam Gooch to gather and again Hitchin responded. Robbie Burns’ shot took a wicked deflection off a defender, and Snedker made a great save, before having to gather himself to pick up the loose ball behind him, which was close to the goal line. Kettering then had a glorious chance in the 12th minute. Rene Howe’s persistence put Weir-Daley through on the right. The in-form striker dragged his shot wide of the left upright to miss a glorious chance. Kirkpatrick fired over after good work by Burns and Brett Donnelly as the game flowed from end to end. Brett Donnelly then pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area but dragged the half chance well wide of goal. It was then Kettering’s turn to reply and Liam Canavan fired wide of the left upright from a decent position. Weir-Daley’s 22nd minute shot was held by Gooch. The game settled more into a midfield battle and on the half hour Gary Mulligan did well to cut out a Will Wright cross from the right as the full back broke clear. Snedker was off his line and out of his area to make a timely clearance and Gooch again saved from Weir-Daley. Gooch then had to save from Howe as the burly striker got through. Burns fired over for Hitchin as the first half closed goalless.

Half Time: Hitchin Town 0 - 0 Kettering Town

In the first minute of the half Burns miscued completely and Hitchin then won a corner, cleared by Kettering,and Josh Bickerstaff dragged his shot well wide. Kettering began to get a grip on the game and Howe again set up Weir-Daley whose first contact was poor and the shot looped up to Gooch. In the next minute Burns’ clearance was charged down by Wilson Carvalho on the right side goalline and the ball could have gone anywhere – as it shot across goal and our for a throw in! In the next minute Kettering won a corner and James Haran’s volley from the cross hit a defender with the rebound- also a shot from Haran- was blocked. Weir-daley’s 57th minute shot was also well blocked by a now overworked home defence. Weir-Daley glanced a Carvalho cross wide and then home skipper Dan Webb cleared another Carvalho cross over his own bar. From the corner,Paul Malone’s towering header was wide. Matt Lench replaced Brett Donnelly on 62 minutes. His first touch- a cross- saw Burns diving to head and the effort drifted wide of goal. Callum Donnelly got a shot in as the game entered its last quarter- but the take was easy for Snedker. Kettering were still applying plenty of pressure at this stage and Weir-Daley threatened but Gooch got there to clear the ball. Gooch was to excel on 75 minutes as Howe again set up Weir-Daley and his curling snapshot was brilliantly palmed away for a corner. It was the Howe’s turn to find space and shoot from 10 yards but again Gooch got down to make a good save. Snedker made a couple of routine takes from set pieces as the game came to a close. The Poppies had given it a real go. Now its two home games this week on Tuesday to Redditch and Saturday to Dorchester. Come and support the lads.

Full Time: Hitchin Town 0 - 0 Kettering Town

Attendance: 451 (Poppies fans estimated at 100)

Poppies Man of the Match: Rene Howe

Team line-ups: Hitchin Town: 1 Liam Gooch 2 Will Wright 3 Ben Walster 4 Josh Bickerstaff 5 Dan Webb (Captain) 6 Lewis Rolfe 7 Kane Smith 8 Callum Donnelly 9 Brett Donnelly (12 Matt Lench, 62) 10 Robbie Burns 11 Lucas Fitzpatrick

Subs Unused: 14 Liam Brooks 15 Mason Spence 16 Michael King 17 Conor Clarke

Yellow cards: None

Kettering Town: 1 Dean Snedker 2 Nathan Hicks 3 Dom Langdon 4 Gary Mulligan (Captain) 5 James Haran 6 Paul Malone 7 Wilson Carvalho 8 Spencer Weir-Daley (15 Callum Westwood,85) 9 Rene Howe, 10 Liam Canavan (14 Brett Solkhon,68) 11 Lewis Hornby (12 James Brighton,64)

Subs Unused: 17 Paul White

Yellow cards: Canavan,37; Haran,65