Kettering 2 AFC Telford 1 - Match analysis

AFC Telford suffered a setback in their quest to retain Blue Square Premier status as they went down to struggling Kettering Town in a relegation six-pointer.

The home side were deserved winners after outplaying a disappointing Telford side for long periods of the match and striking twice after the break to leave the visitors a mountain to climb.

Telford did get one back late on through Chris Sharp but it was too little, too late.

• See pictures from Telford's loss to Kettering

The home side's performance was all the more impressive when you consider financial problems have seen then deducted three points during a season in which they have sometimes failed to play the players.

The Poppies went into this match on a dismal run of four defeats in their last five games, which has seen them drop into the relegation zone.

They had not even mustered a goal in their previous four fixtures.

And they got off to a shaky start when a clash of heads between Dan Preston and Djoumin Sangare resulted in the latter being substituted in the opening quarter of an hour.

Undeterred, Kettering pressed forward and enjoyed the lion's share of both territory and possession.

However, they failed to create many real chances and Ryan Young was untroubled as Ben Ford blasted wide when he should have done better.

The visitors were finding it difficult to get into the match and were far too often guilty of giving possession away aimlessly.

It took almost half an hour for Telford to muster an effort on goal but Marlon Jackson's header was well wide.

But moments later they were unlucky not to take the lead when Ryan Valentine's spectacular volley was cleared off the line.

Shortly before half-time the ball dropped invitingly from a free-kick for Ryan Brooke near the edge of the area but he blazed well over to leave the match goalless at the break.

It was Kettering who started the second half stronger and they took the lead within five minutes of the restart.

Telford were unable to clear their lines and, when Young could only parry Ben Joyce's shot, Charlie Wyke was on hand to score the Poppies' first goal in 439 minutes of football.

They doubled their lead 10 minutes later when Wyke turned provider and his cross was smashed home by Joyce to cap a glorious move.

Jackson was unfortunate not to get one back for Telford when his dipping shot went just over but his tame cross straight to Laurie Walker in the home goal was more indicative of the Bucks' evening.

Sharp's goal threw Telford a lifeline with five minutes left to play, he squeezed the ball home from the narrowest of angles, but it was not to be Telford's night.

Kettering Town: Walker, Ifil, Davis, Sangare (Noubissie 13), Westwood, Mills, Bridges, Wyke, Ford (York 83), Gray, Joyce (Van Engel 76). Subs not used: Ralph.

AFC Telford: Young, Preston, Newton, Blackburn, Jackson, Brooke (Perry 57), Brown, Trainer, Valentine, Sharp, Smith (Cain 64). Subs not used: Killock, Robinson, Davies.

Att: 939

See also:

• Andy Sinton bitter after errors cost AFC Telford

• Sinton has his sights on AFC Telford survival