We remain in 9th. place after another odd goal defeat at the once-mighty Kettering who were promoted at the end of last season and, with great home support (there were almost 600 at Latimer Park on Saturday) they look capable of climbing back up the non-league ladder. Once more there was little between the two sides, but in the end, a late Mark Draycott (pictured) penalty was all we had to show for our efforts.
Shane Gore made his debut in goal, with an impending three-game suspension for Paul Strudley coming up, and we soon went close when James Clark just failed to reach a dangerous free-kick whilst at the other end, James Brighton sent a shot looping over the bar. It was Kettering who took the lead after only 10 minutes when Gary Mulligan netted after we had failed to clear an in-swinging corner, but Clark went close when his lob over the advancing keeper flew just wide. We were unlucky of two occasions, when, with the ball loose in front of goal, we failed to get a finishing touch and each time it was a defender who hacked the ball away.
Early in the second half Gore saved well but he gave away a penalty in the crowded goalmouth, then redeemed himself by getting up to save Dubi Ogbonna,s spot kick.. We made a triple substitution but went further behind after 77 minutes when Courtney Baker-Richarson made it 2-0 , but although Draycott scored from the penalty spot in the closing minutes,it was too little and late to salvage anything from the game.
Team; Gore, Horgan (Jones), John, Boardman, Day, Rusby, Clark (Jarvis), Collins (Goodger), Brown, Draycott, Stow. Subs; Strudley,Rees.