Skipper Ben Austin - Pic : Lee Smith
A much changed side took
the field to face the high flying Poppies. Danny Brown
was forced from the squad by a single match suspension
following a 5th yellow card, Matt Smart filling the midfield
berth. An injured Marc Pullan was replaced by Darren Baker
and Jamie Taylor dropped to the bench with the return
of Andy Atkin up front. With Brown sidelined Ben Austin
took the skippers armband.
Following an Exodus Geohaghon
long-throw the ball found the back of the net. However
following appeals from the Boro players the score was
chalked off - the crowd none the wiser ! Francis Green
drew a save from Michael Jordan on 4 minutes as the visitors
pushed for an early breakthrough - the strong wind on
their backs. Andy Atkin turned well in the box and was
felled on 6 minutes - Boro's penalty drought continuing
with Mr. Atkin un-moved. The visitors continued to dominate
with low deliveries and long-throws causing the Boro back-four
difficulty in the swirling conditions; John Dempster's
looping back-header bounced off the top of the Sports
bar.
'Close - But No Cigar' -
Pic : Lee Smith
The Boro goal was leaving
a charmed life; assisted by the committed defence of all
11 players; Atkin often making the crucial saving tackle.
In truth Kettering were also struggling to come to terms
with the conditions; their dominance passing not always
as pin-point as their league position would suggest. Matt
Crabb's right-wing free-kick caused confusion in the Kettering
box and Gary Elphick's powerful downward header needed
a colleague to apply a finish but the ball would not drop
to the right man. Dempster wasted a free header on 26
minutes following a left-wing corner.
Liam Enver-Marum did well
to feed Smith wide but the cross was over hit as the home
side began to gain greater influence in the game. Crabby's
delivery into the area caused panic and Elphick's header
from a right-wing corner came back out off the bottom
of the far post on 39 minutes. Enver-Marum struck over
the bar after Atkin's knock down as the home side pinned
the visitors back. With the 4th official showing 3 minutes
on the board a Geohaghon throw evaded
the massed defence for Moses Ashikodi to touch home for
0-1. Crabby again swung a free-kick towards the Kettering
goal, the ball just inches wide.
A Combative Matt Smart - Pic Lee Smith
Boro started brightly with Atkin striking
for goal from 30 yards and Enver-Marum drawing a desperate
block from Dempster on 48 minutes; Austin's strong run
creating the chance. 55 minutes saw a Smith cross arcing
it's way towards Simon Weatherstone's head but again committed
defence prevented an effort on goal. 75
minutes saw Weatherstone test Lee Harper from distance
as the game became broken free-kicks; Matt Crabb's putting
the back-four under pressure.
The closing stages of the game saw Armstrong
and Nathan Crabb introduced as Boro pushed for the equaliser
but although there was plenty of territory precious little
opportunity was created. In time added a long Armstrong
throw was flicked on by Atkin but the keeper was well
placed to gather safely. Jordan went forward for a free-kick
and corner but Mr. Atkin called time with the score remaining
1-0 to the Poppies.
Dan Smith - Back On Form - Pic : Lee Smith
Words : Lee Peskett
