Poppies revolving door spins again

With Kettering Town manager Kevin Wilson coming under increasing pressure, not least from the supporters, to halt the team's alarming slide down the table, the club has announced the departure 'by mutual consent' of three players.

Gary Butterworth, Andy Lodge and Stefan Dancy have now left Rockingham Road. Butterworth will apparently be making his debut at King's Lynn this Saturday alongside Dale Watkins and other ex-Poppies as the Linnets try to consolidate their position at the top of the DM Eastern Division.

Stefan Dancy has reportedly joined Spalding, but Andy Lodge has not yet been connected with another club. Recent signing Gerald Lavin looks to have fallen victim to his recurring knee injury and it's now likely he will be out for the rest of the season. However, at least one bit of good news, Aaron Cavill should be available to make his home debut for the Poppies this Saturday in the crucial fixture against Bishop's Stortford.

Struggling Poppies crash to another defeat

Ford Utd 2 Kettering Town 0

Kettering were quickly put under pressure at Oakside Stadium and it didn't take long for the demoralised Poppies to crumble as they conceded two goals in the first 8 minutes. On 5 minutes Craig Edwards put the home side 1-0 up and within 3 minutes poor Delroy Gordon was credited with an own goal as the Poppies goal again came under pressure.

However, a combination of the home side easing off and the visitors finding some composure and there were no further goals in the first 45 minutes leaving the home side 2-0 up and Kevin Wilson's men with a mountain to climb in the second-half to try and get back into the game.

Kettering tried to rally in the second-half, had a goal disallowed and hit the woodwork, but any hopes of a comeback rested in the hands of the Poppies ailing strikeforce and once again they came up empty and at the final whistle it remained 2-0 to Ford Utd.

Wilson continues rebuilding process

Poppies boss Kevin Wilson continues to make changes to a squad which he feels needs a major overhaul to benefit 'the long term future of the club'. Wilson has signed 30 year-old Gerald Lavin and placed two players on the transfer list as part of his ongoing rebuilding process.

Commenting in the ET, Wilson explained; "I know what I want and I know where I want the club to be. The sooner I can start to make those changes the better off we will all be. Putting Garry Butterworth and Andy Lodge on the transfer list is just a starting point. There will be others to follow. There are some players performances which are just not acceptable."

Wilson also asked for the club's supporters to be patient, "I hope the fans will understand where I am coming from as it is important they stick with us and continue with their support both home and away." New signing Lavin has been brought to Rockingham Road in an attempt to strengthen the Poppies defence.

The Corby-born defender has played for Watford, Millwall, Bristol City, Wycombe Wanderers, Northampton Town and until very recently, Conference outfit Farnborough Town. Lavin goes straight into the Poppies squad and is available for selection for Saturday's trip to Ford Utd.

Poppies dumped out of Northants Senior Cup

Kettering Town were dumped out of the Northants Hillier Senior Cup last night at the Waterworks field, drawing 2-2 with hosts Desborough Town after extra-time, they were outgunned in the resulting penalty shootout and Desborough go through to the Final.

The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, Kettering went ahead through Stefan Dancy but a late equaliser from the penalty spot by the hosts sent the tie into extra-time. Desborough then took the lead in the first 15 minute period of extra time and then it was Kettering's turn to pull back level when Eliot Paschalis scored in the second period of extra time to make it 2-2.

In the penalty shootout, Kettering missed twice out of their first four penalties, but the hosts were deadly accurate from their spot-kicks to score all four and seal the victory.

Kettering: Gourlay, Gordon, Reid, Lodge, Carson, Paschalis, Boyle-Chong, Dancy(Cossey 105), Sapsford(Tolton 88), Lynch(Difante 88), Hardie.

Poor Poppies humiliated at home again

Kettering Town 0 Basingstoke Town 3

After a goaless first-half that again looked likely to continue for the second 45 minutes, the match took an embarrassing turn for the home supporters as Kettering's defence collapsed, conceding 2 goals in quick succession (Torres 66, Burgess 69).

Even before the home side had any delusions of making a comeback, they conceded a third goal on 75 minutes (Roach) and the match was effectively over. Another humiliating home defeat by 3 goals and it's impossible to put forward any excuses, just plain embarrassing.

Wilson brings in two players

Poppies boss Kevin Wilson moved quickly to bring in a replacement for suspended goalkeeper Mark Bunn, 19-year-old Simon Overland from Millwall, who was recently released from the First Division club. Wilson has also brought in Lewis Reid, who has played in both midfield and defence for his previous clubs, most recently Aylesbury Utd and Arlesey Town.

Brewers drop interest in Graham

Burton Albion look likely to drop their interest in signing Kettering Town midfielder Richard Graham after they were informed the Poppies player is currently under contract at Rockingham Road.

Brewers boss Nigel Clough commented, "We'll check it out with the FA and if they say he's been registered, that'll kill our interest. We wanted to bring him to Burton for three months, but we certainly wouldn't pay a fee at this stage."

Poppies break dismal run with home win

Kettering Town 2 St Albans City 0

A goaless first-half at Rockingham Road with both sides struggling to find a way through their opponents defence and if the second-half had continued in a similar fashion a 0-0 draw would have been the obvious outcome, but certainly not the desired result for Kettering supporters.

Kettering's cause was somewhat aided when the visitor's captain, Derek Brown, was shown the red card for bringing down Jason Turner, after the Poppies striker was put through on goal. Unfortunately the offence occurred just outside the area, but Kettering had at least gained a one-man advantage for the remainder of the match.

With the clock ticking away and the scoreline still on 0-0, it looked like Kettering would have to settle for a point, but on 72 minutes youngster Jason Turner put the home side 1-0 up. The result was still not certain until, with the home supporters looking nervously on, Gary Butterworth wrapped up the match and 3 vital points for Kettering, making it 2-0 on 81 minutes. The win moves Kettering back up into 9th place in the table.

Poor Poppies crash again

Sutton Utd 2 Kettering Town 1

It was back to their dismal league form for Kettering as they went down 2-1 away to Sutton Utd after they gifted the home side a late winner at Gander Green Lane this afternoon. The U's took an early lead and it looked likely to be the only goal needed until the final few minutes.

Norman misses penalty as Burton win 2-1 in extra time

FA Trophy 4th Round Replay:

Kettering Town 1 Burton Albion 2

Young striker Jason Turner retained his place in the side and quickly repays Poppies boss Kevin Wilson's faith in his abilities by scoring after 14 minutes to give the home side a 1-0 lead over Conference outfit Burton Albion at Rockingham Road in the FA Trophy 4th Round Replay.

Both sides continued to create openings with the Poppies' keeper needing to stay alert to prevent the visitors equalising almost immediately and Poppies' midfielder Ian King struck a post mid-way through the first-half. However another solid 45 minutes from the home side ensured they went into the break maintaining their narrow 1-0 lead over the Brewers.

The second-half had barely got underway when the visitors drew level through a scrappy goal that last touched Burton's Ducross on it's way into the Poppies net and made the score 1-1 on 46 minutes. With no further score on 90 minutes the match went into extra-time.

Ten man Poppies battle to Trophy replay

FA Trophy 4th Round:

Burton Albion 1 Kettering Town 1

Despite missing several key players from their normal starting lineup, Kettering turned in a solid first 45 minutes to go into the half-time break all-square at 0-0 with Conference hosts Burton Albion at a wintry Eton Park.

With the home side finding it hard to break down the Poppies sterling defence it looked likely that the game was headed for a scoreless draw, but 15 minutes from the end, disaster struck for Kettering in a familiar fashion.