Penalty pegs back struggling Poppies at Vauxhall Motors

Vauxhall Motors 1
Rooney 78 (pen)

Kettering Town 1
Howe 52

Kettering Town manager Morell Maison was forced to make several changes to his starting lineup for the trip to Rivacre Road, not least was the change between the posts as Nick Bussey came in for the suspended Mark Osborn. Luke Graham is also suspended, but John Dempster, Jean Black, Darren Caskey and Parys Okai all started for the Poppies and Jean-Paul Marna was on the bench.

Not much to report on the first 45 minutes with neither side able to break the deadlock and the two teams having a relatively poor first half in terms of goalscoring chances, went into the half-time break still all-square at 0-0.

Kettering-born legend John Ritchie (12 July 1941 - 23 February 2007)

The dramatic climax to the end of the 1960-61 season when Kettering Town won the Southern League First Division title in their final match and returned the club back to the Premier Divison at the first attempt, understandably overshadowed the recent arrival at Rockingham Road of a young local gangly lad who would go on to become one of the classic goal-scoring centre-forwards.

Born in Kettering in 1941, John Ritchie was playing for local club Emmaneff when he was signed by then Kettering Town manager and England legend Jack Froggatt. Wally Akers took over the helm at the start of the 1961 season, and Ritchie continued to shine leading the Poppies attack and his career at the club was surely destined to be a short one on his way to the top.

Graham rescues a point for below-par Poppies at home to Blyth Spartans

Kettering Town 1
Graham 90
Boucaud - sent-off 90

Blyth Spartans 1
Dale 60

Poppies boss Morell Maison handed a start to Nathan Peprah in defence and Darren Caskey returned to the midfield. Jean Black and Nick Bussey also made welcome returns to the Poppies bench alongside Andy Hall for what promised to be a test of character after last week's drama.

The first-half saw both sides struggling to find any rythmn and neither side looked likely to stamp their authority on the match. The half-time whistle signalled the end of a fairly quiet first 45 minutes with hardly an effort on goal that troubled either keeper.

10-man Poppies hold on for draw at Redditch

Redditch Utd 4
Hollis 44(pen), 78
Ball 52, 85

Kettering Town 4
Howe 16
Dempster 37
Solkhon 39
Osborn - sent off 44
Boucaud 69

Kettering Town boss Morell Maison not surprisingly put Brett Solkhon staight back into the starting lineup at the Valley Stadium, but perhaps what was surpsrising is that Andy Hall made way for Moses Olaleye, with Darren Caskey again on the bench for the Poppies and joined by Jean Black.

After Tuesday's battling victory Kettering were looking for a similar performance away to Conference North strugglers Redditch and they got off to a great start when Rene Howe got on the end of a cross from Craig Westcarr to head the Poppies 1-0 in front.

Howe gives Poppies narrow win at Barrow

Barrow 0

Kettering Town 1
Howe 79

Kettering Town traveled to Holker Street missing several key players for Tuesday night's Conference North fixture. Jean Black remained out through injury and was joined in the stands by Brett Solkhon and Jean-Paul Marna who are both suspended. Darren Caskey was on the bench.

The match kicked-off with heavy rain at Holker Street and Kettering were immediately on the attack and putting pressure on their host's goal in search of an early lead. A corner after 23 minutes for Kettering was headed goalward by David Theobald but lacked real power and was claimed well by Ashley Timms in the home goal.

The weather playing it's part but Kettering coping better in the early stages of the first-half and enjoying the lion's share of the possession but unable to find the final ball through on goal. Chance for Barrow with Bailey on the turn but couldn't get the power behind the shot and Osborn collects comfortably for Kettering.

Clueless Poppies crash out at home to Salisbury - FA Trophy 3rd Round

Kettering Town 0

Salisbury City 2
Tubbs 14, 62

Kettering Town manager Morell Maison made three changes to the starting lineup that earned a 1-1 draw at Scarborough on Tuesday, bringing in Liam Nicell, Marcel McKie and Moses Olaleye, to replace John Dempster, David Theobald and Jean-Paul Marna. Marna joined Nathan Peprah on the Poppies bench.

The visitors settled better into this FA Trophy 3rd Round tie and took the lead through Mathew Tubbs after 14 minutes. Kettering struggled badly to find any tangible rythmn in the first 45 minutes and Salisbury were good for their 1-0 half-time lead.