Match Sponsors : S C A Hygiene

Ball Sponsors: RTS Roadrunner GmbH

Programme Sponsors: DRC Locums


In-form York City were the visitors today at the Elgoods Brewery Arena. In a game which Kettering largely dominated, York took all three points with their only effort on target from Michael Rankine after 16 minutes. Whilst the Poppies poor home run continues they were applauded off the field today for 90 minutes of sheer effort which went unrewarded.

Teams:

Kettering Town:
31 Nathan Abbey
2 Alton Thelwell
3 James Jennings
4 Darren Wrack (17 Andre Boucaud 62)
5 Ian Roper (Captain)
6 John Dempster
8 Jordan Hadfield
11 Kwesi Appiah
12 Greg Taylor
14 James Dance
15 Patrick Noubissie (7 Anthony Robinson 62)
22 Marcus Kelly (12 Greg Taylor 77)

Unused Substitutes:
13 Niall Cooper
20 Danny Thomas

Yellow cards:

Roper,13;Jennings, 45+2;Hadfield,53;Dance,88;Dempster 90+2.


York City (4-4-2):
24 Michael Ingham
2 Ben Purkiss
3 James Meredith
5 David McGurk
6 Daniel Parslow
12 Alex Lawless (14 Neil Barrett 90+2)
15 Michael Rankine (21 Djoumin Sangare 65)
16 Richard Brodie
17 Levi Mackin
23 Chris Carruthers ( 9 Michael Gash 86)
26 Luke Graham

Unused Substitutes:

Yellow Cards:
Rankine,34;Lawless,53.

York welcomed back Richard Brodie after suspension and ex Poppy Luke Graham was included in defence. Kettering were without Jean-Paul Marna who failed a late fitness test and Andre Boucaud was amongst the substitutes
Kettering started very brightly and within 3 minutes Kwesi Appiah had a header blocked and a shot deflected wide for a corner after a good James Dance cross. From the resultant corner, Ian Roper’s header from close in was brilliantly palmed over the bar by York custodian, Michael Ingham. Then John Dempster headed over a Darren Wrack free kick and Jordan Hadfield saw his 20 yard shot drift well wide.

York eventually managed to get into Kettering’s half and Ian Roper was yellow carded for a nasty looking low challenge. From the restart, Richard Brodie’s free kick was deflected wide of goal for a corner.

The only goal of the game followed on 16 minutes, as, after the ball was cleared from the corner, the ball was played back in and took a wicked deflection which Roper could not deal with. Michael Rankine had the easiest of finishes from a few yards out.

It was rough justice on the Poppies start to the game and after the goal they continued to press forward. James Jennings’ free kick after 29 minutes found Roper heading across goal and John Dempster stabbed the chance wide.

Next, Dance playing in a central role, stepped inside his man and his left foot drive was well held high up to his left by the tall Ingham.

The last effort of the half saw Marcus Kelly come in from the left and his low right foot drive was just past the left post.


Half Time:


Kettering Town 0 - 1 York City

It had been a keenly contested game in the first half and was to be so in the second 45 minutes. On 47 minutes Chris Carruthers’ low cross from the left was well smothered by Nathan Abbey. Then, the otherwise well shackled Richard Brodie, got in a dangerous cross from the left which flashed across goal.

There was a flashpoint after 53 minutes which saw a numbers of players involved after a clash between Jordan Hadfield and Alex Lawless and both were yellow carded.

On 67 minutes Marcus Kelly crossed low from the left and substitute Anthony Robinson dummied in front of goal, but Ingham was down to save. Seven minutes later a fine, five man Kettering move, saw Appiah shoot wide.

Kettering were having plenty of the ball but were not making much impression on a resolute defence, which was strengthened by the introduction of Djoumin Sangare in place of forward, Rankine. James Dance had a run and left foot shot which sailed over the bar.


York seemed to weather the storm and on 82 minutes, Ben Purkiss glanced a header well wide from Carruthers’ free kick. Two minutes later Brodie wrestled his way past Dempster but mis-kicked badly with only Abbey to beat.

Finally Anthony Robinson’s clever back flick was hacked clear from Parslow under pressure. On the final whistle both teams acknowledged they had been in a hard game of football.

Full Time:

Kettering Town 0 - 1 York City


Match Sponsors S C A Hygiene Poppies Man of the Match : John Dempster

Klondike winner (£240) Number 046899

Poppies Trust Club 200 (118) Number 103- Paul Harris

Attendance: 1375 (Away fans 307)