MATCH REPORT: AFC SUDBURY (A)

IN BRIEF:

A 19th minute goal from loanee Michael Reindorf sealed a vital win today for the Poppies at Sudbury.
The game was played at fast pace throughout and a resolute Kettering team confidently repelled all that was thrown at them as the Suds searched for a goal. It was another spirited and solid performance.

THE KETTERING SQUAD:

The same 16 that formed the squad last week continued with no changes to the starting eleven.

THE TEAMS:

AFC SUDBURY:
1   James Bradbrook
4   Olumide Oluwatimilehin (Afolabi Soyemi-Ololade,76)
5   Charlie Lewis
6   Thomas Dickens
7   Jake Turner (Captain)(2Joe Tarpey,87)
8   Ben Hunter (14 Ben Bradley,87)
11 Callum Page
12 Romario Dunne
15 Josh Allen
17 Jacob Pinnington
19 Jack Cawley

Unused Substitutes:
3  Reiss Obeng
18 Philip Brown Bampoe

Yellow cards: None

KETTERING TOWN:

1  Arlo Doherty
2  Charlie Marzano (4 Harry Reilly,73)
5  Kelvin Langmead
6  Lewis White
10 Michael Reindorf
11 Rhys Sharpe
12 Dan Jarvis
15 Huw Dawson (18 Tom Scott,90)
16 George Forsyth
19 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner
20 Adi Yussuf (9 Tyrone Lewthwaite,66)

Unused Substitutes:
7  Bruno Andrade
14 Kobe Chong

Yellow cards: Jarvis,37;Cherry,72 Lewthwaite,79;Dawson,90+1

HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:

The midday sunshine disappeared by kick off and a chilly wind welcomed the teams on the 3g surface.

The Poppies started on the front foot and forced the Suds back with three early Rhys Sharpe long throws into the home six yard box. The first of these, within a minute of the kick-off saw Kelvin Langmead’s shot blocked and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner’s shot deflected to James Bradbook in the home goal. The second was cleared for the third corner from which Sudbury broke away only to be caught offside.

The home side were bringing in 11 men into defence for these throws as another couple were hastily cleared. Sudbury finally got out of their own half and on 7 minutes Ben Hunter skewed a shot wide.

The pace of the game saw a very high tempo as the first quarter of an hour passed.

Kettering took the lead on 19 minutes. A lofted ball through saw the home defence go missing and Michael Reindorf ran on to lob the ball over the advancing Bradbook and over the line despite efforts by a defender to head away.

0-1 Kettering

Sudbury responded within a couple of minutes of the restart and a deep corner from the left was headed high and wide by Thomas Dickens. This was followed with a promising run from Callum Page -but his shot was poor and well wide. Page followed this up with a glanced header from a cross, but the ball slid wide of the left upright.

Yet another Sharpe missile after 26 minutes caused problems for the home side and George Forsyth saw a shot blocked out. Sudbury responded well and Arlo Doherty made a comfortable save from Ben Hunter. The young keeper then made a good take from a home corner from the right.

As the half time whistle approached the impressive Charlie Marzano set up Reindorf but the striker’s shot was poor. Then Huw Dawson won a corner which was parried away by Bradbrook, and the game was halted due to head injuries received in the inevitable six yard box melee.

Both teams won late corners, but neither produced any fruit as the Referee called time after three added minutes.

Half Time:

AFC SUDBURY      0      –       1     KETTERING TOWN

There were no player changes at half time.

Sudbury came out with some determination, as would be expected, and new signing Jack Cawley headed wide after a long throw into the penalty area. Arlo Doherty was in action in the first 10 minutes of the half with three saves. Low shots from Page and Romario Dunne were routine, but a third from Josh Allen saw a very good save and Hunter fired wide from the resultant loose ball.

Michael Reindorf seemed to be fouled shortly after with a crude tackle from a defender showing studs, but the Referee waived away appeals with Reindorf limping badly. Sharpe’s corner for the Poppies was cleared as the game quickened up again. The Poppies were content to compete with the home side moving the ball around and Doherty was being well protected.

There was an incident on 69 minutes as Marzano appeared to be badly fouled. The Referee saw no issues as Marzano was down for several minutes and was helped off the pitch to be replaced by Harry Reilly. Tom Cherry on the touchline was yellow carded for protesting.

The game settled again, with Sudbury trying, but Kettering were comfortable. In fact a neat passing move involving Dan Jarvis and substitute Ty Lewthwaite gave Reindorf a chance but Bradbrook saved comfortably.

As the game entered the last 10 minutes of normal time, a cross come shot from Jacob Pinnington drifted over the bar. The Poppies, relying on breakaways, almost got a second goal as Lewthwaite swept a Reilly cross from the right towards goal, and Bradbrook made a great save.

The Poppies continued to look solid and cleared a last minute corner. In the 8 minutes of added time Doherty saved well from home substitute, Ben Bradley, as Kettering took home the three valuable points.

Full Time:

AFC SUDBURY      0      –       1       KETTERING TOWN

Match Officials: Referee: Paul Stratton Assistants: Richard Baker and Ryan Smith

Attendance: 445 (Kettering fans and officials estimated at125 )

Poppies Media Elgoods Brewery Man of the Match: Michael Reindorf

Match Report by Sadman KTFC

Remaining Home Games:

Tuesday March 19th:Peterborough Sports at 7.45pm (NFA Hillier Cup semi final)

Saturday March 23rd: Alvechurch at 3pm

Saturday March 30th: Barwell FC at 3pm

Saturday April 6th: Berkhamsted at 3pm

Tuesday April 9th: Leiston FC at 7.45pm

Saturday April 20th: Coalville Town at 3pm

TBA: AFC Stamford

Remaining Away Matches:

Monday April 1st: Stratford Town at 3pm

Saturday 13th April: Royston at 3pm