Dempster goal enough to bring Poppies title dreams another step closer

Boston Utd 0

Kettering Town 1
Dempster 34

Kettering Town manager Mark Cooper made one change from Saturday's starting lineup with Tom Kemp replacing Nicky Eaden and Sam Shilton joined the bench, as the Poppies hope to continue their title charge at York Street against old foes Boston Utd.

Wet conditions underfoot following recent snow that gave way to sunshine shortly before kick-off could prove tricky for both sides as the match gets underway at York Street with a large contingent making the trip from Kettering to cheer on their team.

The home side force the early play with an effort that skims the woodwork, while at the other end Westcarr regains his footing to force a save out of Wright in the Pilgrims goal. Both sides continuing to try and gain the upperhand but neither able to provide that vital breakthrough with 15 minutes gone on the clock.

The tempo has slowed a little after the busy opening period as both sides settle into their normal styles of play. Midway through the first-half as Beardsley collects a pass from Bridges, shrugs off a defender and fires just over the crossbar.

Just when the match appeared to be getting a little scrappy, Kettering force a corner and John Dempster is on hand to put the Poppies 1-0 up 34 minutes into the first period and send the large travelling support into jubilant celebrations.

Boston trying to get back into the match before the break but Harper is alert to deny ex-Poppy Rowan as the snow begins to fall again. A late scare as Harper and Branston compete to clear but as the half-time whistle sounds it's still Kettering leading thanks to the goal from Dempster.

Half-time: Boston Utd 0 Kettering Town 1

The second-half gets underway with a Robinson strike that flew narrowly wide of the post as Kettering continue where they left-off in the first 45 minutes and Solkhon agonisingly heads past the far post for a goal-kick to Boston. Further pressure from the Poppies as the half continues, but midway through the second period and the two teams are still only separated by a single goal.

This match isn't over yet as the home side regains momentum and tests the Kettering goal with a long range free-kick that goes narrowly wide. Poppies boss Cooper tries to liven his attack up a bit and brings on Jean-Paul Marna for Robinson as the match enters the final 20 minutes.

Ten minutes of the match remaining and not a classic by any means, but if Kettering can win this one the travelling faithful won't mind one bit. Into the last five minutes and Kettering still holding onto their narrow 1-0 lead. The visiting support jubilant as news filters in from elsewhere that Telford have lost 2-0 at Nuneaton.

At the final whistle the Poppies and their 665 travelling supporters are understandably elated as news comes in of defeats for their nearest title rivals and Dempster's goal is enough to secure another 3pts for Kettering in their march to the BSN title.

Att: 2,003

Kettering: Harper, Jazszcun, Kemp, Dempster, Branston, Solkhon, Brady, Bridges, Robinson, Beardsley, Westcarr. Subs: Marna(Robinson 70), Mills, Shilton, Bussey, Graham.

Boston: Wright, Matthews. Ellender, Crane, Bloomer, Thmpson, Green, Talbot, Froggatt, Stevenson, Rowan. Subs: Nuttell, Weaver, O'Halloran, Nicholls, Joyce.