Kettering Town 1 Blues 2

A late goal from Patrick Brothers saw the Blues claim a terrific victory at previously unbeaten Kettering Town. Glenn Driver’s side have now lost just once in ten games and a goal in either half saw the Poppies defeated for the first time this season.

The Blues travelled to face League leaders Kettering Town for the very first time on Saturday with Patrick Brothers, Dominic Docherty and Robert Eagle all in the starting line-up, with Christy Finch and Cemal Ramadan dropping to the bench and Seb Dunbar dropping out of the squad due to injury. In a scrappy affair, the hosts started well and Marcus Garnham made two good saves to deny Ben Milnes early on. However, Leiston were the team to score the first goal. After forcing a couple of corners, Dominic Docherty headed home Kyle Hammond’s inswinging corner in the 15th minute, despite Gary Stohrer’s best efforts, with the Assistant Referee signalling that the ball had crossed the line. Kettering were handed a lifeline after Rhys Hoenes was adjudged to have been tripped in the penalty area by Robert Eagle. Brett Solkhon made no mistake from the spot to send Garnham the wrong way.

Both teams struggled to unlock the dominant defences after half time. Solkhon let fly with a volley as the game reached the hour mark with both teams struggling to create clear cut chances. Marcus Garnham saved from a Michael Richens strike, and Ben Toseland went close shortly after, but he hit the post. With four minutes of normal time to go, Leiston scored the winner and it was a well crafted goal. Marcus Garnham rolled the ball out to Noel Aitkens who found Byron Lawrence who made ground into the hosts half. After a neat exchange of passes on the right flank Kyle Hammond neatly played in Jake Reed inside the box and his cross to the far post picked out Patrick Brothers who controlled and fired home from eight yards. There was still time for Kettering to salvage a point but Michael Richens' header went over the bar in the second of four added on minutes. But the Blues held on to secure all three points and remain third in the table.

FT - Kettering Town 1 Blues 2

Kettering Town - White, Berry, Toseland, Solklon (Rhiney 61 mins), Stohrer, Richens, Kelly, Rowe-Turner, Davidson-Miller (Foy 79 mins), Milnes, Hoenes. Subs not used: - Elsom, Towers and Lavery.

Blues - Garnham, Hammond, Eagle, Aitkens, Jefford, Bullard, Lawrence, Henderson, Reed (Blake 90+3 mins), Docherty (Ramadan 61 mins), Brothers. Subs not used - Knights, Finch and Beckwith.

Man of the Match - Marcus Garnham

Attendance - 749