Moore's suspension reduced

Christian Moore has had his suspension reduced on appeal and will now only miss three matches, beginning with the away fixture at near-rivals Nuneaton Borough on Monday 29th August 2005.

The other two matches that Poppies top scorer Moore will have to watch from the sidelines are both home games, against Worksop Town (September 3rd) and Stafford Rangers (September 10th) respectively.

Poppies pegged back at Moor Green

Moor Green   1   Kettering Town   1

Kevin Wilson opted for the same starting lineup as on Saturday and the only change to the substitutes bench was the inclusion of goalkeeper Rob McNey in place of striker Roy Essandoh.

Kettering striker Christian Moore continued right where he left-off on Saturday, scoring after 16 minutes to put the Poppies 1-0 up against Moor Green at Damson Park. No further goals in the first 45 minutes, despite a close shave for the Moors, meant the Poppies took their slender 1-0 lead into the half-time break.

Monday night's Conference North roundup

Tonight's three Conference North fixtures featured the three newly-promoted sides and ended with mixed fortunes for the newcomers:

A single goal on 50 minutes by Andrew Bell was enough for Conference North newcomers Hednesford Town to record their first win of the season by a narrow 1-0 scoreline over visitors Alfreton Town.

The other two newly-promoted teams played out a tough 1-1 draw. After Dale Johnson put Hyde Utd ahead after just 9 minutes, a last gasp goal by Tony Hopper rescued a point for visitors Workington.

Despite a crowd of 1,064 at St George's Lane, Worcester City failed to get the better of their visitors Hinckley Utd and the match ended goaless and a point-a-piece.

Moore double gets Poppies off to winning start

Kettering Town   2   Worcester City   1

Junior McDougald and Mark Osborn were both declared fit to start, so McDougald and Christian Moore are the front pairing for today's opening Conference North fixture at home to Worcester City.

Recent signing Christian Moore, fortunate to be available due to a forthcoming suspension and playing against his previous club, put the Poppies in front with a header on 18 minutes at Rockingham Road. The Blues pushed forward trying to get back on level terms but going into the break the home side looked fairly comfortable with their 1-0 lead.

Christian Moore, already proving to be a valuable signing for Poppies boss Kevin Wilson, scored his second with another header on 48 minutes to put the home side 2-0 up. Blues boss Andy Preece made several substitutions in an effort to get his side back into the match but the home side were looking good for their two-goal lead.

Wilson adds Essandoh into the mix

Poppies boss Kevin Wilson will most likely still be working out his options for tomorrow's opening Conference North match at Rockingham Road against Worcester City after the recent signing of striker Roy Essandoh.

Bad news came in the shape of the 35-day ban handed down to Christian Moore, a result of his red-card in a recent preseason 'friendly'. The punishment was dished out by the Northants FA (as opposed to the FA) and will begin on September 5th, allowing Moore to be available for the opening games.

Other doubts include striker Junior McDougald and goalkeeper Mark Osborn, both attempting to shake off illness/injury and Wilson will probably wait until the last minute until naming his starting lineup for tomorrow's match.

Narrow defeat at Cambridge closes Poppies preseason matches

Cambridge Utd   2   Kettering Town   1

Kettering Town manager Kevin Wilson announced the signing of Neil Midgely, Liam Nicell and Daniel Thompson prior to the Poppies final preseason fixture, away to Conference National outfit Cambridge Utd.

Recent signing Andy Hall got the Poppies off to another good start with a goal on 13 minutes from just inside the box, pouncing on a loose ball and firing home. After piling on the pressure with several near misses, Stephen Smith pulled the home side back on level terms shortly before the half-time break, nodding home from close range.

The usual change-around of players by Wilson at the start of the second period couldn't regain the Poppies the initiative and shortly before the hour-mark Folawiyo Onibuje put the home side in front, heading home from a corner, and the U's held the narrow lead until the final whistle.

Kettering: Osborn, Diuk, McIlwain, Brown, Nicell, Solkhon, Burgess, Hall, J.Gould, Moore, DiFante. Subs: Midgely (DiFante 46), Essandoh (Moore 46), Bewers (Solkhon 66), Ludovic (Hall 69).

Cambridge: Bechet, Armstrong, Peters, Davies, Chick, Quinton, Lopez, Smith, Coulson, Noloan, Onibuje. Subs: Turner (Nolan 46), Gleeson (Armstrong 46), Okai (Lopez 46), Daniels (Coulson 46), Roberston (Quinton 72), Morrison (Davies 85), Waite (Bechet 85).

Two late goals enough for Birmingham victory

Kettering Town   1   Birmingham City XI   2

Kettering Town came away from their last home game of the preseason with plenty to show despite eventually succumbing to a strong Birmingham City team, conceding two goals in the final ten minutes after taking the lead midway through the second-half.

The premiership outfit was packed with well-known names and their experience showed as they settled quickly into the match and began spraying the ball about with ease. However, the home side worked hard and to their credit never allowed themselves to be overawed by their illustrious visitors.

While Keith Bertschin watched from the sidelines, Jamie Clapham, Muzzy Izzet, Damien Johnson, Stan Lazaridis, Medhi Nafti and Clinton Morrison all featured at some stage during the match for the Blues. However, it was Kettering who scored first when trialist Jermaine Liburd, on as a second-half substitute, cleanly drilled home a lay-back from Neil Midgley.

With ten minutes left the visitors pulled back on level terms through Neil Kilkenny who fired into the top corner and set the stage for a possible winner. The Blues second goal came shortly before the final whistle when Njazi Kuqi slotted home to disappoint the home crowd.

Kevin Wilson will no doubt have been disappointed that his side conceded the two late goals, but on the whole he will likely be pleased with the majority of his players performances in an entertaining workout.

Kettering face Cambridge Utd away on Saturday in their final preseason match, before settling down to the more serious business of the Conference North campaign, starting on Saturday August 13th at home to Worcester City.

Moore off in Diamonds 'friendly'

Rushden & Diamonds   2   Kettering Town   0

Kevin Wilson will perhaps already be regretting the decision to play bitter rivals Rushden & Diamonds twice in preseason, especially as he will be without the services of recent signing Christian Moore, pending the striker's inevitable three-match suspension for today's red card.

I'm not even sure how anyone in their right mind thought it would 'foster good relations' between the two clubs and certainly none of the supporters would have thought of such a clearly 'doomed to failure' idea.

Kettering: Osborn, Diuk, J.Gould, Solkhon, McIlwain, Brown, Burgess, McDougald, Paterson, Moore, Hall. Subs: DiFante, R.Gould, Attwood, Robinson, Nicell, Essandoh.

Poppies draw at Shepshed in preseason friendly

Shepshed Dynamo   2     Kettering Town   2

A tale of two halves (as someone famous once said?) with the Poppies scoring on 3 minutes through striker Christian Moore and taking a 2-0 lead shortly after the half-time restart courtesy of a goal by Liam Nicell.

Wilson again experimented with virtually 'two teams' as he continued his preparations for the coming season in the friendly at Shepshed. The home side never gave up the match and shortly after the hour mark pulled a goal back, followed by an equaliser with 5 minutes left to leave the final score 2-2.

Double cause for celebration for Poppies fans

Raunds Town   1     Kettering Town   5

There was a double cause for celebration on Tuesday night as Kettering found their preseason scoring touch at Raunds and Poppies boss Kevin Wilson signed the impressive Andy Hall to his squad for the coming season.

Kettering took the lead when James Gould pounced on a loose ball and slotted home, the lead was quickly doubled as Ian Robinson nipped in to provide a close range finish. Another fine finish from Robinson as he headed home a Gould cross made it 3-0 to the Poppies.

Before half-time had arrived the score had moved onto to 4-0 as Robinson completed his hat-trick neatly provided by a Neil Midgley pass. Several half-time changes in the Poppies lineup allowed the home side to work their way back into the game, even as Roy Essandoh headed in the Poppies fifth.

Raunds continued to battle away and got their deserved reward when James Fox cleverly lobbed Poppies keeper Rob McVey, who had earlier replaced Mark Osborn, and the final score was 5-1.

Wilson stated afterwards that Essandoh was 'just here to have a game' and would not be signing for the Poppies because 'we simply can't afford him.' However, the addition of 19-year-old Andy Hall to the Poppies squad will be warmly welcomed by the Kettering faithful who have already witnessed his potential during the recent preseason matches.

McDougald and Midgely give Poppies win in Brackley friendly

Brackley Town   0     Kettering Town   2

Kevin Wilson took his squad to nearby Brackley Town today to continue his preparations for the coming season. Following two second-half goals the Poppies boss came away with a 2-0 win and the match allowed the manager another look at several potential players.

The Poppies took the lead on 55 minutes with a hotly disputed penalty through Junior McDougald as the home side perhaps took the match a little more seriously than the friendly tag attached to it.

Neil Midgely increased Kettering's lead to 2-0 with a volleyed finish on 83 minutes to round off a competent display for the Poppies sporting their yellow and blue away strip.

Poppies v Diamonds ends goaless

Kettering Town   0   Rushden & Diamonds   0

Kevin Wilson introduced new signing Christian Moore into the second-half of tonight's preseason friendly against near-neighbours Rushden & Diamonds at Rockingham Road, but the match remained goaless at the final whistle.

Both sides settled quickly as goalkeeper Mark Osborn proved his worth at one end of the field while strikers Roy Essandoh and Neil Midgley tried their best to give the home side the advantage at the other end.

Despite the hard-working efforts of Jamie Paterson and Andy Hall, the first-half ended scoreless and Wilson introduced Moore, Ollie Burgess, Brett Solkhon and Chris DiFante into the action during the second 45-minute period.

At the end of 90 minutes neither goalkeeper had been beaten and for the second time in four days Kettering ended a preseason friendly fixture with a hard-fought goaless draw.

Poppies hold their own against Cobblers

Kettering Town   0   Northampton Town   0

Kevin Wilson undoutably learned a good deal more about some of the players that are hoping to form part of the Poppies squad for the coming season after today's 0-0 draw at home to the Cobblers.

The first-half saw the visitors denied by the heroics of Mark Osborn in the Poppies goal and as the second-half unfolded it was ex-Poppy keeper Mark Bunn who denied the home side on several occasions.

The visitor's lineup included new signings Ian Taylor, Sean Dyche and Eion Jess, while Roy Essandoh, Neil Midgley and Matt Joseph were hoping their performances will persuade Wilson to offer them a contract alongside recent signing Junior McDougald at Rockingham Road.

Kettering: Osborn, Joseph, Morley, Solkhon, McIlwain, Brown, Burgess, Robertson, McDougald, Difante, Midgley. Subs: Essandoh, Peacock, J.Gould, Bewers, Attwood, Nicell, McNey, Thompson, R.Gould, Davis.

Northampton: Bunn, Bojic, Bonner, Chambers, Dyche, Low, Rowson, Taylor, Jess, Sabin, McGleish. Subs: Kirk, Harper, Hunt, Dolman, Gearing, Cross.

Hall scores last gasp winner at Long Buckby

Long Buckby   1   Kettering Town   2

Kettering trialist Andy Hall scored in the final minute as the Poppies narrowly overcame hosts Long Buckby 2-1 in a tough and physical pre-season encounter.

Poppies go down 3-0 in opening pre-season friendly

Kettering Town   0   Leicester City XI   3

Kettering Town kicked-off their run of pre-season friendlies against a young-looking Leicester City XI and were quickly on the receiving end as Ramadani Besnik nipped in to put the visitors 1-0 up.

Poppies boss Kevin Wilson started with new strike-partnership of Roy Essandoh and Junior McDougald, while defender Matt Millns and midfielder Neil Midgley also made their first starts. However, it was the visitors who impressed again as James Wesolowski increased their lead to 2-0 going into the break.

Wilson made changes for the second-half, bringing on Rob Gould, Scott Goodwin, Andy Hall, Liam McNeill and Matt Peacock, as the home side tried to get back into the game. Scott Goodwin was given a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit, but a poor penalty kick meant the visiting Foxes keeper wasn't forced into making a save.

The visitors finished the match comfortably with a goal from Foxes substitute Ricky Muggleton, who deftly beat keeper Rob McNey after the latter had replaced Mark Osborn in the Poppies goal, to make it 3-0.

Poppies kick-off new season with home fixture

Kettering Town start their 2005-06 Conference North campaign with a home encounter against old foes Worcester City on Saturday August 13th and then make the relatively short trip to take on Moor Green the following Tuesday night.

August Bank Holiday Monday sees the Poppies travel back to Manor Park for an away match against one of last season's main rivals Nuneaton Borough. Kettering again face Hinckley Utd over the festive period, hosting the Knitters on Boxing Day (Monday 26th Dec) before travelling to Hinckley on the Monday following New year's Day (Jan 2nd).

Newcomers Hyde Utd make an early appearance at Rockingham Road for the Poppies second home fixture, while another Conference North newcomer, Workington, provide the opposition at Rockingham Road for the Poppies final regular season fixture.

A full run-down of Kettering Town's 2005-06 Conference North fixtures are available on the Fixtures/Results page.

Poppies back in training next week with several new faces

Kettering Town start back for preseason training on Tuesday and will have several new faces amongst their ranks. Poppies boss Kevin Wilson has invited several trialists along and recently signed two new players, Junior McDougald and Ian Robinson for next season.

McDougald is probably the more well-known of the two, having started his career at Tottenham Hotspur before notching up experience with several league clubs and ending up at Canvey Island last season.

According to statistics, David 'Junior' McDougald was born in Texas, USA and the 30 year-old striker was a trainee at Spurs before joining Brighton where he made 71 league appearances. After playing for a succession of league clubs, including Chesterfield, Rotherham, Millwall and Leyton Orient, McDougald joined Conference outfit Dagenham & Redbridge for a spell before moving on to Canvey Island.

27 year-old midfielder Ian Robinson started as a junior at Mansfield before playing for Ilkeston Town and more recently Alfreton Town.

Conference fixtures should be announced on Thursday June 30th 2005.

Paterson agrees to stay at Poppies

Poppies 32 year-old midfielder Jamie Paterson has agreed to stay at Rockingham Road next season and will be expected to continue where he left off last season in the influential role at the heart of Kevin Wilson's team for the coming campaign.

Paterson finally agreed to a player-coaching position at the club after close-season talks with several other clubs. The signing gives boss Wilson's close-seasons preparations a boost, "I am delighted that Jamie has agreed to stay with us. He has been worth his wait in gold. His performances last season were excellent but he has a tremendous presence both on and off the field."

Wilson is playing a waiting game before delving into the transfer market and appears to have a striker as his top priority, with the absence at the start of the season of Poppies top scorer Darren Lynch. Lynch is making fast progress in recovering from his broken leg but isn't expected to return to action until October or November.