Galbraith signs

Poppies boss Mark Cooper has brought in former Cobblers player David Galbraith who signed from fellow BSN outfit Boston Utd and is eligible to play on Saturday against Southport. The 24 year-old midfielder began his career as a youth at Spurs before moving to Northampton Town and then signed for Boston Utd in January 2006.

Galbriath reportedly turned down St Albans to join the Poppies and will be a welcome addition to Cooper's squad. He was on non-contract at The Pilgrims and has signed full-time until the end of the 2008-09 season according to their website.

Too many mistakes sees Poppies beaten 3-1 at Gainsborough Trinity

Gainsborough Trinity 3
McMahon pen 43
Mallon 52, 62

Kettering Town 1
Beardsley 64

Kettering Town traveled to Gainsborough to fulfill a Blue Square North league fixture postponed from earlier in the season hoping to make the gap between the Poppies and 2nd spot into double digits before they host Southport on Saturday. Mark Cooper made one change to his starting lineup from Saturday, with Sam Shilton in for Tommy Jaszczun, Ryan Collis replaced Shilton on the bench.

With the match approaching the half-hour mark there was still no score with Kettering unable to find that penetrating strike to provide an opening goal and the home side battling away to try and improve their mid-table position against the current BSN league leaders.

Not exactly a pulsating first period with little dramatic action, that is until just over a minute from the half-time whistle when the home side were awarded a penalty and scored from the spot through Lewis McMahon to take a surprise 1-0 lead into the break.

Half-time: Gainsborough Trinity 1 Kettering Town 0

Beardsley signs for Poppies on free transfer

After a great deal of recent speculation surrounding the future of on-loan striker Chris Beardsley, the club officially announced the former York City player has been given a free transfer to Kettering which included a sell-on clause for any future transfer fees the Poppies might receive.

Beardsley has already proved to be a valuable addition to the team so far during his loan-period, scoring five goals in five matches and could well turn out to be a bargain in the remaining months of the season during Kettering's pursuit of the Blue Square North title.

Poppies hold on to narrowly beat ten-man Alfreton Town

Alfreton Town 1
Butler - sent off 55
Law pen 86

Kettering Town 2
Solkhon 23
Kemp 41

Kettering Town made the relatively short trip to Alfreton Town on Saturday aiming to bounce back from last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Stalybridge Celtic. Mark Cooper made one change to last week's starting lineup, John Dempster returned from a one-match suspension to replace the injured Luke Graham.

Kettering soon got down to business, determined to put last week's setback behind them, although not helped by the poor state of the muddy pitch, However, the chances soon began to develop for the Poppies and on 23 minutes they took the lead when Brett Solkhon got on the end of a David Bridges cross to firmly head his side in front.

Despite pitch conditions continuing to prove difficult, the traveling support vocally urged forward their team as they pressed the home defence and came very close to increasing their one-goal advantage as Westcarr, Beardsley and Marna all had half-chances. With half-time approaching, a free-kick from Craig Westcarr was met by Tom Kemp who somehow steered his header past the Reds keeper to make it 2-0 to Kettering on 41 minutes.

Half-time: Alfreton Town 0 Kettering Town 2

Poppies lose 1-0 at home to Stalybridge Celtic

Kettering Town 0

Stalybridge Celtic 1
Dean 87

Kettering Town host Stalybridge Celtic in the battle of the 'in-form' teams at the A-Line Arena with Poppies boss Mark Cooper making one change to his starting lineup, bringing in Luke Graham for John Dempster.

The two sides had barely kicked-off when an injury to Steve Payne forced an early substitution as the Celtic defender was replaced by Garry Burke in the 3rd minute. Beardsley hit the woodwork for Kettering as the match picked up steam and both sides had half-chances in the first quarter exchanges.

A booking for Luke Graham on 27 minutes was closely followed by a yellow card for Terry Barwick as the referee kept on top of the sometimes rugged action. The visitors pressed in the latter stages of the first period but couldn't find a way past Lee Harper in the home goal. Jean-Paul Marna almost gave Kettering the lead as the action switched from end-to-end, but at half-time the scoreline remained goaless.

Half-time: Kettering Town 0 Stalybridge Celtic 0

Poppies 2-0 winners at Hucknall Town - extend their lead at the top

Hucknall Town 0

Kettering Town 2
Beardsley 32
Bridges 38

Kettering Town travel to Watnall Rd to take on Hucknall Town with Poppies boss Mark Cooper making one change to his starting lineup, Jon Brady making way for Nickey Eaden. Loan signing Chris Beardsley again forms an attacking quartet with Westcarr, Bridges and Marna.

Kettering making hard work of it in the early stages with the home defence putting up some stubborn resistance against the Poppies formidable attack. It was only a matter of time before Kettering made the vital breakthrough and once again it was Chris Beardsley who supplied the finishing touch to a Westcarr strike on 32 minutes, underlining what a valuable addition he is to the side.

Hucknall should really have leveled five minutes later, but a fine double save by Harper from Bacon kept the one-goal lead intact. Harper quickly cleared the ball and the Poppies attacked with lightning speed, David Bridges pouncing on the through ball to put them 2-0 up going into the break. Kettering looking fairly comfortable for the second-half with a two-goal cushion, but undoutably will continue to push for more goals.

Half-time: Hucknall Town 0 Kettering Town 2

Poppies come from behind to win 3-1 at home to Harrogate Town

Kettering Town 3
Beardsley 33, 75
Bridges 62

Harrogate Town 1
Dunning 15 pen

Kettering Town host main rivals Harrogate Town at the A-Line Arena with an unchanged starting lineup from the team that won 6-1 on New Year's Day. Luke Graham and Nicky Eaden join Andy Hall on the bench.

Half-time: Kettering Town 1 Harrogate Town 1

Poppies hammer Solihull 6-1 to remain top of the table

Kettering Town 6
Solkhon 5
Marna 21
Beardsley 51, 88
Westcarr 71
Bridges 79

Solihull Moors 1
Middleton 89

Kettering Town host Solihull Moors to kick-off the New Year at the A-Line Arena and are aiming to hold onto the top spot going into Saturday's crunch match against Harrogate Town. Recent improved form has seen the Poppies climb back to the top of the table, but staying there is another matter altogether.

Poppies boss Mark Cooper drafted in York City striker Chris Beardsley on loan to boost the squad, but will have to do without Mark Rawle and Nicky Eaden, both still suffering from injuries they sustained in Saturday's battle at Tamworth. Tommy Jaszczun joins Jean-Paul Marna in the starting lineup while Luke Graham is on the bench.

An early goal from Brett Solkhon got the home side off to a great start after just 5 minutes gone. Jean-Paul Marna celebrated the New Year with a goal on 21 minutes to give Kettering a fairly comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.

Half-time: Kettering Town 2 Solihull Moors 0