Poppies go third !!

Kettering Town maintained their push for the Evo-Stik South League Premier play-offs with a fine 4-0 victory at Stratford Town. Michael Richens was recalled to the starting line-up while there was the welcome sight of Ben Milnes being included among the substitutes following an ankle injury.

Paul White was called into some early action as he tipped over a free-kick from former Kettering man Ben Stephens. Aaron O’Connor had a shot saved from close-range but Kettering did take the lead when Mathew Stevens was fouled by home goalkeeper Louis Connor in the area.

And Brett Solkhon stepped up to score from the penalty spot. There were few other chances in the first half with the best falling to Rhys Hoenes who saw a shot palmed away by Connor with Stevens unable to get an effort away on the rebound. But Kettering took control of things in the second half after White had pulled off another save from a Stephens free-kick. Richens doubled the lead with a superb 25-yard strike that found the top corner.

And soon after, it was 3-0, as O’Connor held the ball up and played in Stevens who drilled home from a tight angle. The Poppies rounded off an excellent second-half display with a fourth late on with Stevens returning the favour for O’Connor as the top scorer tapped home from close-range.

Read more at: Jon Dunham - Northants Telegraph