Poppies keep slim play-off hopes alive with victory at Stafford

Stafford Rangers 1
Gibson 51
Gibson - sent off

Kettering Town 3
Hall 42
Koo-Boothe 60
Zico-Black 87
Hall - sent-off

While most supporters agreed the season was almost over in terms of Ketetring's slim chances of gaining a play-off place following last Saturday's defeat at Stalybridge, there was still a mathematical possibility and the players needed to show they could compete with the top teams at this level.

Kettering took the game to their hosts and both teams settled into the match early on, but it wasn't until shortly before half-time that the breakthrough came. Andy Hall put the Poppies in front in the 42nd minute, crashing a shot off the underside of the crossbar which the officals signaled a goal and they went into the break holding onto a narrow 1-0 lead.

Defeat at Celtic virtually ends Poppies play-off hopes

Stalybridge Celtic 2
Ellington 53
Sykes 82

Kettering Town 0

Kettering Town kicked off with Andy Hall and Ryan Zico-Black restored to the starting lineup and Liam Nicell, Ollie Burgess and Moses Olaleye on the bench for their crucial away encounter against Stalybridge Celtic at Bower Fold.

A relatively quiet first 45 minutes with both sides playing somewhat cautiously, very conscious of what's at stake in this match. Neither side able to make the vital breakthrough as half-time arrived and the teams trooped into the dressing room still deadlocked at 0-0.

Rampant Poppies rout Redditch 4-0

Kettering Town 4
Midgley 44
Elding 58
King og 63
Zico-Black

Redditch Utd 0

Kettering Town manager Morell Maison makes just one change from last week's starting lineup bringing in Jamie Paterson as Liam Nicell joins Ryan Zico-Black, Patrick Peters, Andy Hall and the returning Junior McDougald on the Poppies bench.

A fairly quiet first 45 minutes with not much excitement for the home fans to cheer, that was until right before half-time when Neil Midgley fired Kettering in front and the Poppies lead 1-0 at the break.

Kettering increased their lead shortly after the re-start when Anthony Elding scored his first goal in seven matches to make it 2-0 to the Poppies.

Two more players released by Poppies

Two more players (following the recent departure of Matt Lewis to Hinckley Utd) were released by Kettering Town as manager Morell Maison continues to slim-down his overloaded squad.

Hugh McAuley and Daniel Thompson, the latter has already agreed terms with Halesowen, were the latest to depart Rockingham Road, while at the same time, young striker Michael McKenzie has been loaned out to Arlesey Town.

Poppies lose third in-a-row, going down 3-1 at Droylsden

Droylsden 3
Fearns 17 (pen), 57
Denham 47
Sturdy - sent off 85

Kettering Town 1
Burgess 7

The match survived the wet weather and Moses Olaleye claimed his first start for Kettering alongside Nathan Koo-Boothe. Athony Elding and Neil Midgley were again the front pairing, with Andy Hall on the bench alongside Ryan Zico-Black and Patrick Peters.

Kettering got off to a great start at the Butcher's Arms when Ollie Burgess fired them in front to lead Droylsden 1-0 after only 7 minutes gone.

No sooner had the Poppies traveling support's celebrations died down when Kettering conceded another penalty as McIlwain brought down Terry Fearns who then slotted past Osborn from the spot to pull the home side back level at 1-1 on 17 minutes.

Poppies crash at home again as play-off hopes fading

Kettering Town 0

Harrogate Town 2
Holland 23(pen), 77

Kettering's match at home to Harrogate was one of only three Conference North matches that survived the big freeze and manager Morell Maison made several changes to his starting lineup.

New signings Nathan Koo-Boothe and Liam Dolman started alongside Brett Solkhon and Ryan Zico-Black. Athony Elding and Neil Midgley started up front for the Poppies.

A fairly cautious start for both teams in frosty conditions ended on 23 minutes when Danny Holland put the visitors 1-0 up from the penalty spot after a clash with Wayne Diuk.

No further score in the first 45 minutes saw the home side still trailing 1-0 at the break after giving away a penalty midway through the first-half.

Play-off hopes dented as Poppies crash at home to Trinity

Kettering Town 1
Midgely 12

Gainsborough Trinity 2
Smith 17, 60

Kettering Town went into tonight's match boosted by the return of striker Anthony Elding, starting upfront alongside Neil Midgley. New signing Patrick Peter joined the subs bench.

Kettering got off to a great start on 12 minutes when Niel Midgley fired them into a 1-0 lead. However, it wasn't long before the visitors pulled back level through Jamie Smith on 17 minutes.

Neither side able to add to their opening goal on a bitterly cold evening at Rockingham Road and the two teams went into the dressing room at half-ti

Alfreton Town Match off - waterlogged pitch

Kettering Town P
Alfreton Town P

Kettering Town were to host Alfreton Town tonight but the match was postponed due to the waterlogged surface at Rockingham Road.