Photo - Graham Norris/Poppies Media
IN BRIEF:
The Poppies conceded a goal in each half at Alfreton to lose this game 2-0. The hosts, who are on a very good run of form, dominated the game in all departments as the visitors gave the home keeper an easy afternoon. The first goal after just 7 minutes came from Matt Rhead and the second from the penalty spot was dispatched by Dayle Southwell 15 minutes from time.
THE KETTERING SQUAD:
There were no changes to the sixteen players named in the last game at Telford, and the squad had the maximum allowed of five loan players. Again Jordan Graham was not named along with long term injury players Ben Sault and Harry Reilly.
THE TEAMS:
ALFRETON TOWN:
1 George Willis
2 Josh Clackstone
3 Danny Preston
4 George Cantrill
5 Dominic Smith
6 Dwayne Wiley
7 Jordan Thewlis
8 Adam Lund (15 Milan Butterfield, 90+3)
9 Matt Rhead (Captain) (20 Tom Denton,71)
10 Dayle Southwell
11 Bailey Hobson (14 Connor Branson,83)
Unused substitutes:
12 Tom Leak
13 Jake Askew
Yellow Cards: Southwell,Smith,Rhead,Thewlis
KETTERING TOWN:
1 Harrison Foulkes
2 Frankie Maguire
3 Josh Flanagan
6 Brad Gascoigne
7 Sam Bennett (17 Decarrey Sheriff,67)
8 Gary Stohrer (Captain)
10 Keaton Ward (19 Tyrone Lewthwaite,67)
11 Rhys Sharpe
12 George Cooper (14 Ethan Hill,80)
15 Ellis Myles
16 George Forsyth
Unused Substitutes:
4 Lewis White
13 Harry Hogg
Yellow Cards: Maguire; Myles;Forsyth.
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:
It was a cool afternoon at the Impact Arena today for the teams, who were playing again after weather lay-offs. The pitch was firm and nicely playable.
The Poppies started positively with two early trademark long throws from Rhys Sharpe which were easily cleared. The ‘Reds’ of Alfreton then benefited from an unfortunate deflection off Kettering’s Josh Flanagan to win a corner, which was cleared.
The first attack of any note on 7 minutes produced a goal for the home side. A low cross from the right was steered goalwards by veteran striker, Matt Rhead from around 15 yards and although visiting keeper Harrison Foulkes got something on the ball he helped it into the net. He will be disappointed that he could not complete the save.
Rhead and Foulkes were in action again on 10 minutes as the striker headed a long throw at goal and Foulkes was just able to collect. Kettering saw Keaton Ward’s 14th minute free kick shielded through to home keeper,George Willis.
Both wing back Ellis Myles and skipper, Gary Stohrer were trying to get the Kettering attacks going with Myles’ 20th minute cross from the right well defended and Stohrer attempting some breaks past the home defence. Stohrer’s cross from the left on the break was scrambled clear.
Alfreton should have doubled their lead on 22 minutes as Jordan Thewlis took a cross on the left side of the penalty area and from barely 12 yards out clipped the left post and the ball was cleared away.
As usual home skipper, Matt Rhead, was causing all sorts of problems in the air and was winning his headers and battles. His 24th minute header, from one of a number of huge throws into the box, saw the effort go straight at Foulkes.
Kettering tried to get into the game, with Sharpe also launching more long throws which the tall Alfreton side largely dealt with comfortably. Kettering’s Ward lifted a shot well over as their best chance of the half came on 37 minutes. Stohrer’s break down the right saw him set up Sam Bennett, but the striker shot across goal rather than at it and the chance was wasted.
Before the break, Rhead headed over again for the Reds from a free kick and the Poppies had a shout for a penalty as Rhead, back in his own penalty area this time, appeared to control the ball with his arms in front of his chest. Finally, a decent passing move involving four Kettering players ended in Ward blazing over the bar.
Half Time:
ALFRETON TOWN 1 - 0 KETTERING TOWN
There were no personnel changes at half time. Early forward pressure from the home side came to nothing as Kettering defended stoutly. In fact, as they finally got out of their own half, forwards Ward and Bennett created a couple of chances.
First a quick break saw Ward look to put Bennett clear down the middle, but the pass was poor. Then on 53 minutes Ward did manage to send Bennett clear on the left. George Willis in the home goal came off his line to get a touch on the ball, driving Bennett wide on the left and the striker could just not sort his feet out to get the shot away before the defence recovered.
On 59 minutes, Rhys Sharpe’s low shot from the left of centre saw Willis scrambling to his left post and, fortunately for him, the shot was marginally wide.
Foulkes was soon in action again just after the hour mark as he saved well as a header flashed in from a corner. Alfreton’s hold on the game was cemented on 75 minutes as George Cooper was penalised for a foul in the penalty area. Dayle Southwell stepped up to score the penalty with ease.
The home side were able to manage the game for the remaining time in the game, limiting Kettering to one notable chance as substitute Decarrey Sheriff fired into the side netting. In fact they could have added a third, on the break, but left back Danny Preston fired wildly over the bar.
Full Time:
ALFRETON TOWN 2 - 0 KETTERING TOWN
The Poppies now face what can be called a ‘six pointer’ at Latimer Park this Tuesday, 31st January as Boston United visit.
Match Officials: Referee: Richard Aspinall ; Assistants: Matthew Langdon; Harry Jones.
Attendance: 539 (Kettering fans estimated at 100 - another great effort from the Poppies fans)
Poppies Media Elgoods Brewery Man of the Match: Ellis Myles
Forthcoming matches:
Tuesday 31st January HOME to Boston United at 7.45pm
Saturday 4th February away at Banbury United at 3pm
Tuesday 7th February away at Cogenhoe United at 7.45pm (NFA HILLIER CUP S/F)
Saturday 11th February HOME to Buxton at 3pm
Tuesday 14th February HOME to AFC Fylde at 7.45pm
Saturday 18th February away at Blyth Spartans at 3pm
Tuesday 21st February HOME to Farsley Celtic at 7.45pm
Saturday 25th February HOME to Brackley Town at 3pm
Match report from Sadman KTFC
