Wilson turns his thoughts towards next season's squad

Poppies boss Kevin Wilson has already started to look ahead to the start of next season and to bring in the new players necessary to strengthen the squad. Top of Wilson's list appear to be two strikers, given the goalscoring problems Kettering had last season and the injury sustained by striker Darren Lynch.

Lynch suffered a chip in a bone just above his knee, torn medial ligaments and damage to the cartilage. Recovery from surgery and the healing process is likely to take longer than the three month break before the next season gets underway to fully heal.

Matthews own goal puts Altrincham through in play-offs

Kettering Town   2     Altrincham   3

Kevin Wilson opted to start with Rob Gould and Chris DiFante, and with the return of Jamie Patterson, Scott Cross and Mark Danks are on the subs bench for this crucial Conference North Final match at Rockingham Road.

Kettering got off to a great start on 15 minutes when the returning Jamie Patterson scored to put the home side 1-0 up. Kettering were increasingly forced on the defensive leading up to the break as Altrincham pushed for an equaliser. But the home side held on to go into the dressing room still 1-0 up, however goalscorer Jamie Patterson picked up another injury which unfortunately forced Kevin Wilson to bring on a replacement.

Altrincham came out for the second-half and picked up where they left off at the end of the first-half. The almost constant pressure eventually told on the Kettering defence and the visitors inevitably pulled back on level terms through Val Owen at 1-1.

Poppies host Alty in Conference North play-off Final

Kettering Town will host Altrincham in Saturday's Conference North play-off Final following the Robins' dramatic victory over Nuneaton Borough in a penalty shoot-out after extra-time.

Altrincham scored in the first-half, but were eventually pegged-back two minutes into time added-on at the end of 90 minutes. No further score in extra-time led to penalties and it was Altrincham who held their nerve to win 4-2 in the dramatic penalty shoot-out at Manor Park.

In the Conference South Semi-Final play-off played on Tuesday night, Eastbourne Borough came from behind in the second-half to eventually win 4-2 at Thurrock. Eastbourne must now travel to Cambridge City following City's bye in the other CS Semi-Final play-off.

Conference North play-off Final

Kettering Town     v   Altrincham  

Conference South play-off Final

Cambridge City     v   Eastbourne Borough  

Both matches take place on Saturday 7th May 2005.

Tuesday's Conference North SF play-off match

Conference North Semi-Final play-off

Nuneaton Borough   1     Altrincham   1   (Alty win 4-2 on penalties aet)

Rob Thornley put visitors Altrincham 1-0 up against Nuneaton Borough when he drilled the ball through a packed penalty area and into the net, after 19 minutes of tonight's Conference North semi-final play-off at Manor Park.

With no further goals in the first 45 minutes, Alty went into the half-time break still holding onto their slender 1-0 lead over hosts Nuneaton.

Alty spurned a good early chance to increase their lead and the ball was cleared by the home defence. Alty's Colin Potts booked for time-wasting on 48 minutes as Nuneaton pushed forward looking for an equaliser.

Tuesday's play-off fixtures

Tuesday night sees the Conference North play-off match between Nuneaton Borough and Altrincham at Manor Park. Should Nuneaton get through then Kettering will be making the trip back to Manor Park on Saturday for the Conference North final. However, if Altrincham win, the Robins will then travel down to Rockingham Road on Saturday and the Poppies will be the home club for the CN play-off Final.

In the Conference South, Cambridge City were awarded a bye to the CS playoff Final due to Lewes' ground not being up to Conference National standard. In the other CS play-off match, Thurrock host Eastbourne Borough on Tuesday night to see who will travel to Cambridge for the CS play-off Final on Saturday.

The winners of the Conference North and Conference South play-off Finals will then meet at Stoke City's Britannia Road ground on Sunday May 15th to decide who gets promoted into the Conference National alongside Southport and Grays Athletic.

Danks winner puts Poppies through to next round of in play-offs

Droylsden   1     Kettering Town   2

Kettering Town started in determined fashion at the Butcher's Arms ground, immediately taking the game to Droylsden and their efforts paid dividends when Ollie Burgess nipped in to put the Poppies 1-0 up on 12 minutes.

Kevin Wilson's men are not showing any kind of complacency following their excellent start and continue to press forward trying to increase their slender lead. Despite the pressure, Droylsden held firm and the two teams went into the half-time break still separated by Burgess' early strike.

Martin Matthews Testamonial Auction

As part of Martin Matthews testamonial season there will be an auction on Wednesday night in the Poppies Social club starting at 8pm.

There are some great items up for grabs, including a signed Arsenal shirt, three signed David Beckham shirts, signed Poppies shirts, Kevin Wilson's two signed International shirts, lots of signed pennants, many more sporting items including some tickets to football and cricket matches.

So get along to the Poppies social club on Wednesday night (4th May) and show your support and appreciation for Martin.

For a full list of items up for auction click on the 'read more' link ...