Lacklustre Poppies beaten at Farsley

Farsley Celtic 2
Watson 26
Reeves 67

Kettering Town 1
Solkhon 4

Kettering Town manager Morell Maison kept faith with the team that started last week's FA Cup tie which meant Paul Musselwhite in goal and Zema Abbey and Craig Westcarr up front.

The match had hardly got underway when the traveling support were given a goal to cheer as good build-up play between Zema Abbey and Craig Westcarr presented Brett Solkhon with an opportunity which he took full advantage of to put the Poppies 1-0 up on 4 minutes.

However, any thoughts that the early goal was a signal the Poppies were in for an easy victory were quickly dismissed, as the home side fought their way back into the match, aided by Kettering's propensity for allowing soft goals. Farsley drew level midway through the first-half as Andy Watson's effort eluded the grasp of scrambling goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite and across the line to make it 1-1 on 26 minutes.

Neither side were able to add to their initial efforts and the match remained delicately balanced as the two teams went into the half-time break level at 1-1 at Thostle Nest.

Kettering came out for the second-half looking somewhat jaded and the home side took full advantage to gain more control of the match. As Farsley pressured their visitors defence it crumbled again and midway through the second period the home side took the lead for the first time through Damien Reeves to make it 2-1 on 67 minutes.

Despite the fact that Farsley had one eye on their forthcoming FA Cup replay at MK Dons, it was Kettering that appeared the more distracted and certainly unable to produce the same kind of display that deservedly almost forced a replay against Oldham last week.

The final whistle brought further disappointment to the Poppies traveling support and a big question mark now firmly hangs over the Poppies and especially their fragile defence. There will be many tough matches like this to come and displays like today will make a mockery of any title hopes come May unless manager Morell Maison can find the solution to his side's defensive problems.

Att: 349

Kettering: Musselwhite, Nicell, Graham, McKie, McIlwain, Solkhon, Boucaud, Hall, Abbey, Westcarr, Makofo. Subs: Okai, Howe, Marna, Caskey, Bussey.

Farsley: Cuss, Stabb, Pemberton, Nesa, Crossley, Serrant, Knowles, Watson, Bambrook, Grant, Reeves. Subs: Walls, Midgley, Morgan, Thackray, Tyrell-Nestor.