Report by Jools Thomas

Kettering recorded their fifth successive win against the Moles as FC returned from their temporary home at Latimer Park once again pointless. As before this was a close fought game with just one goal from a floated free kick being the difference between the two sides. The set piece, whilst well executed, will not have pleased the FC defence or impressed the management as the ball could and indeed should have been cleared.

There was doubt during the week that the game would even go ahead and it was credit to the ground staff that the pitch was passed playable. The heavy surface however was counterproductive to two attacking teams who like to play football with pace rather than long ball tactics.

Tommy Hull on the Kettering right created the first chance on seven minutes but his cross to Josh Moorman was fired wide. Bradley Wadkins had an excellent game and despite the boggy conditions it allowed him to show his strength and power. This was demonstrated as he played in a dangerous low cross from the right which the home defence did well to clear. Kettering attacked next. Home striker Dubi Ogbonna was allowed to stroll through the midfield and only a block from Kyle Anthony prevented James Weatherill being troubled.

FC were beginning to get on top at this stage but despite their advantage there was little to trouble Poppies keeper Richard Knight. Jeanmal Prosper was finding space but occasional crosses were cut out. Midway through the first half Wadkins had FC’s best chance of the match thus far. Finding space on the 18 yard box, he hit a low placed shot that Knight did well to gather. A few moments later, Prosper and Wadkins combined well to play in Brian Haule with Brian just failing to connect. FC’s success in getting forward was built on the good work of Adam Logie and in particular Davis Haule who put in a magnificent shift in the face of some very robust Kettering attention.

A shot and a follow up overhead kick by Elliot Sandy gave home supporters a chance to shout and as the half drew to a close Danny Murphy gave away a free kick in a dangerous position. The impressive James Jepson floated the ball goalwards with only a nick from the well-constructed wall preventing the ball troubling the keeper.

FC began the 2nd half with Aston Goss again probing but finding little luck on the flanks before the decisive moment of the match. A needlessly conceded free kick on the right hand side was floated in and home defender Brett Solkhoin side-footed the ball in at close range giving Weatherill no chance with the FC defence ball watching.

As FC attempted to haul themselves back onto the match, Jeanmal Prosper and Davis Haule continued their good link up work from the first half but again crosses failed to trouble the home defenders. Jepson then tested Weatherill with a fine effort before Elliott Sandy tested the FC keeper with a low shot. FC were dealt a hammer blow with a quarter of an hour left to play. Captain Ben Stevens challenged for a ball on the half way line and all at once it became clear Ben’s injury was serious. Ben was helped from the pitch and straight to the dressing rooms with Connor Baker replacing him.

The defensive Adam Logie was replaced by the more attack minded Sonny French but this did leave gaps. These were exposed as Dubi Ogbonna bear Prosper for pace with Weatherill blocking the striker’s shot in a one on one situation. In injury time FC had perhaps their clearest cut chance of the whole second half. A quality Danny Murphy corner was met by a rising Brian Haule however his header flashed wide of the post to be followed soon after by the final whistle.