Kettering Town FC
Beardsley (38), Westcarr (50)

Team:

1 Lee Hook
8 Paul Armstrong (C)
9 Andy Atkin
5 Ben Austin
2 Darren Baker
11 Matt Crabb
15 Nathan Crabb
3 Neil Jenkins
6 Marc Pullan
4 Matt Smart
18 Simon Wormull

Substitutes:

10 Allan Tait for Atkin (87)
7 Pat Harding
25 Lyle Taylor for Wormull (74)
31 Darren Budd
13 Jay Lovett for Pullan (74)

Team:

1 Lee Harper
2 Nicky Eaden
5 Guy Branston (C)
23 Exodus Geohaghan
6 John Dempster
3 Tommy Jaszczun
17 Andre Boucaud
4 Darren Wrack
32 Craig Westcarr
9 Chris Beardsley
19 Gareth Seddon

Substitutes:

8 Brett Solkhan for Boucaud (72)
11 David Galbraith
7 Alfie Potter
10 Jean-Paul Marna for Beardsley (76)
24 Dwane Lee for Eaden (81)

Booked:

Boro hoped to bounce back from 'the sucker punch' in Dorset with the visit of Kettering. Without the last minute heart ache and bizarre refereeing decisions this fixture was to be very similar; a raft of opportunities for 'The Sports' going begging with an opposition converting and hence grabbing the points.



Loan signing from Millwall Lyle Taylor (pictured above) was to make his debut for Boro but started on the bench; Andy Atkin recovering from injury and able to partner nathan Crabb up front, Allan Tait dropping to the bench.

The game was to be an evenly balalnced affair in possession and the early action reflected this pattern with Gareth Seddon for Kettering and Simon Wormull rejecting early half-chances to open the scoring. Nathan Crabb fired high and wide before John Dempster wasted the best chance of the opening half-hour; his header well wide from a right-wing free-kick. Nathan Crabb failed to connect with a wonderful cross from his elder brother before a Chris Beardsley capitalised on a quick break; finishing from the left for 1-0.



Boro had again matched the opposition and without doubt Garry Wilson & Nick Greenwood used the half-time to instill confidence and belief into the side which unfortunately was undone on 50 minutes when Craig Westcarr headed home a right-wing delivery for 2-0. Many in the crowd would have been at a loss to explain why the side were 2 down; other than the clinical finishing of yet another visiting side; but their side responded well, as they have all season. 5 minutes later a fine move saw the Crabb brothers combine with Paul Armsstrong for the skipper to finish low past Lee Harper for 2-1.

The next 10 minutes saw the best of the home side as the visitors started to wobble; Wormull inches wide with a cross that his team-mates contrived to miss and matt Crabb striking direct at Harper. Kettering made substitutions to resist the home sides dominance but Boro again failed to apply a finish as a left wing delivery to the far post evaded all in the 18 yard box; no home player willing to gamble at the 'back stick'. Jay Lovett shot through a crowd of players with 5 minutes to go and Lee Hook was required to grab a low ball late on before the visitors professionally ran down the 4 minutes of added time.

Another defeat; another fixture where points could have been claimed, but as the management team at Priory Lane have often commented; the spirit in the dressing room is great and the crowd are providing fabulous support. This is the time many connected with the club were expecting. The surprise factor is gone and the sides are settling down with new players and managers. Rest assured all at Boro are striving to maintain the high standards required in the division and set within the dressing room. It is hoped that the club can return to winning ways soon reflecting the chances the side are creating.

Words - Lee Peskett
Pictures - Lee Smith