Poppies title hopes dashed by defeat at Hinckley Utd
Kettering Town 1 Poppies boss Morell Maison was able to name the same 16 players from Monday's win at home to Harrogate Town and an unchanged starting lineup including Andy Hall for the short trip to the Marston Stadium to take on 5th-placed Hinckley Utd. A fairly quiet start to the first 45 minute period as neither side able to find that vital final touch in front of goal to break the deadlock, although the Poppies are pressing forward roared on by a large traveling contingent from Kettering, it remained 0-0 after 20 minutes gone. After a tense opening half-hour the breakthrough came for Hinckley and unfortunately from the penalty spot. Despite Mark Osborn getting a hand to Colin Marrison's strike, he couldn't prevent the ball going in to put the home side 1-0 up on 30 minutes. Kettering tried to hit back but still struggled to find that flowing rythmn from Monday's match that would allow them to breakdown the home defence and as the half-time whistle sent both teams to the dressing rooms the scoreline remained 1-0 to the Knitters. Half-time: Hinckley Utd 1 Kettering Town 0 With news filtering through that most of their rivals are in front at half-time, Kettering started the second-half a goal down and looking to get back into the match, but with time ticking away the traveling supporters were in for a very anxious second period. Things went from bad to worse for Kettering when they fell further behind going into the final stage of the match when the Knitters took a 2-0 lead through Andrew Brown on 70 minutes. However, a lifeline in the shape of a goal from top scorer Rene Howe reduced the deficit to 2-1 with only 17 minutes left on the clock. A bad day at the office turned to a disastrous one for the struggling Poppies as what appeared to be an own goal from John Dempster put them 2 goals down and at 3-1 with the whistle fast approaching it was not a happy trip for the large traveling support from Kettering. The bad news continued for the Poppies fans as main rivals Droylsden managed a 1-0 home win over Moor Green, a result which means the Bloods take over the top spot, two points clear and with a game-in-hand. Unless there is a minor miracle somewhere in the next two weeks, it looks certain that Kettering will have to battle through the play-offs. Not a promising picture with the Poppies already having had the double done over them by two of the three other likely play-off candidates. Att: 1,405 Kettering: Osborn, Graham, Dempster, McIlwain, Theobald, Caskey, Boucaud, Hall, Marna, Westcarr, Howe. Subs: Olaleye, Bussey, Solkhon, Seanla, Peprah. Hinckley: Bowles, Birch, Cooper, Butler, Nurse, Love, Cartwright, Shilton, Jackson, Marrison, Kelly. Subs: Brown, Bradshaw, Johnson, Platnauer, Story. April 13, 2007
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