Poppies pegged back as Leeds earn replay - FA Cup 2nd Rnd

November 29, 2009—

Kettering Town 1
Roper 63

Leeds Utd 1
Beckford 78

Kettering Town open another chapter in their long history of FA Cup matches today as they host League One outfit Leeds Utd at the Elgood's Brewery Arena with Poppies manager Lee Harper having brought in several players in the last couple of days hoping to boost his side's chances of causing an upset.

As expected the visitors dominated the possession early on and created the majority of chances but the home defence and especially goalkeeper Lee Harper kept the League One outfit at bay and going into the half-time break the two sides were still deadlocked at 0-0.

Leeds came out for the second-half determined to break down the Poppies stubborn resistance but it was the home side who took the lead from a set piece when Ian Roper headed in from close range to stun their illustrious visitors and send the home support into dreamland.

The shock didn't last long and the visitors were soon pressuring the Poppies defence for an equaliser but again Harper and his backline repulsed attack after attack and as the minutes ticked away the home support began to believe they might pull off another upset.

Sadly for the home fans Leeds finally managed to breach the stubborn resistance with less than 12 minutes remaining when Jermaine Beckford diverted Robert Snodgrass' low cross past Harper to level the score and send the tie to a replay at Elland Road.

An heroic performance from the Poppies as they did the club proud and they now have the replay to look forward to and the huge incentive of a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the next round for the winners.

Att: 4,837

Kettering Town: Harper, Roper, Dempster, Taylor, Davis, Noubissie, Heslop, Boucaud, Partridge, Elding, Ashikodi. Subs: Bussey, Wrack, Fowler, Thomas, Bain, Marna.

Leeds Utd: Ankergren, Crowe, Michalik, Bromby, Capaldi, Doyle, Kilkenny, Howson, Snodgrass, Beckford, Grella. Subs: Martin, Marques, White, Prutton, Robinson, Becchio, Showunmi.