Goal-shy Poppies lose at home to Rushden & Diamonds

Kettering Town 0

Rushden & Diamonds 1
Westwood og 32
Sent-off Miller 72

Kettering Town host neighbours and bitter rivals Rushden & Diamonds in the Bank Holiday Monday fixture with both teams having struggled in their opening matches to the new campaign. Saturday's vital first victory for Poppies propelled them up to just below mid-table and the Diamonds second win in-a-row boosted them up to 10th spot just a point ahead of Kettering.

The visitors were quick out of the starting block and settled into the match testing Nathan Abbey within the first ten minutes and the Poppies keeper had to be alert to deny Ryan Charles. Abbey was assisted by both James Dance and Luke Graham as they blocked efforts from a lively Diamonds attack.

Kettering forced their way back in and came closest to scoring when a header by Luke Graham rebounded back off the upright. An effort by James Dance sailed over the crossbar and Abbey saved from Alan Power as both sides pressed forward.The match understandably had an edgy air as Justin Millerwas booked for a foul on 28 minutes.

GOAL:   A free-kick conceded by Luke Graham for a foul on Rene Howe was played into the area by Curtis Osana and looped off the head of Poppies defender Ashley Westwood past Nathan Abbey into his own net to give Diamonds the lead with 32 minutes gone.

The visitors pushed forward and Kettering were under pressure after the setback of going behind but manage to avoid a greater deficit going into the half-time break. Poppies defender John Dempster was booked in first-half stoppage time.

Half-time:   Kettering Town 0 Rushden & Diamonds 1

Read more »