AFC Telford have returned to the National Northern League following a win against Kettering Town on Monday
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This is the moment Kevin Wilkin's men sealed their promotion with a 4-2 win in the Southern League Premier Central playoff final
The Bucks trailed 1-0 and 2-1 as they feared a second consecutive Southern Premier Central play-off final defeat but Kevin Wilkin's troops showed great spirit to roar back late on and seal promotion to National League North
Wonderful scenes marked full-time in front of a record attendance at Latimer Park
Right-back Jahdahn Fridye-Harper bagged the crucial third goal 10 minutes from time with his first goal for the club
And their place was secured when substitute Rhys Hilton rounded the keeper for four in stoppage time in front of a delirious away end
who invaded the pitch to celebrate at full-time
For a full match report see: https://plus.shropshirestar.com/sport/2025/05/05/play-off-final-kettering-2-afc-telford-united-4-bucks-promoted-on-magical-day/
AFC Telford United won promotion in magical style with an unforgettable 4-2 comeback play-off final victory at Kettering Town.
The Bucks trailed 1-0 and 2-1 as they feared a second consecutive Southern Premier Central play-off final defeat but Kevin Wilkin's troops showed great spirit to roar back late on and seal promotion to National League North.
Wonderful scenes marked full-time in front of a record attendance at Latimer Park. Right-back Jahdahn Fridye-Harper bagged the crucial third goal 10 minutes from time with his first goal for the club.
Substitute Rhys Hilton rounded the keeper for four in stoppage time in front of a delirious away end, who invaded the pitch to celebrate at full-time in Northamptonshire.
Earlier on the hosts had led twice through ex-Premier League striker Nile Ranger and Wes York, but Telford struck twice back through Orrin Pendley's bundle and a wonderful Jordan Piggott finish to cap a flowing move for 2-2.
The demons of Leamington 364 days earlier were banished as Wilkin and the Bucks look forward to National North football and brighter times. Each of the goals were celebrated with real emotion by members of the Bucks board in the directors' box, including Shropshire-born Hollywood producer Chris Ball, a minority investor.
It has been quite the few days for the club after they prevailed from behind in a topsy-turvy semi-final at home to Halesowen last Wednesday but emotion and drama was multiplied in the final showpiece.
It was a first away victory since January but the dramatic victory means the Bucks end the season 18 games unbeaten and regain their National League status. It was a dream finale for Wilkin, against the side who finished second and four points further up the Southern Premier Central, after several play-off heartaches as Brackley boss.
Atmosphere built around a sun-kissed yet chilly Latimer as many as three hours ahead of kick-off. Fans spilled out of the ground's perimeter and into fan sections outside. A cohort of young boisterous supporters spilled out of Kettering railway station at 12.30pm.
The visitors' allocation of 600 travelling supporters packed into the end their side defended in the first period in a sea of white.
The Bucks started purposely as Dylan Allen-Hadley slipped Byron Moore through on goal, albeit from a narrow left angle, and goalkeeper Dan Jezeph rushed out to narrow the angle and save.
Wilkin's side were the livelier of the opening stages and top scorer Matty Stenson - passed fit late after a groin concern - was unable to connect to an inviting Jimmy Armson cross. The blustering May wind wreaked havoc with one or two crosses.
It took Richard Lavery's hosts 20 minutes to work an attack. Brandon Hall fielded a fierce York strike well after a neat backheel from Ranger.
The Poppies gained a foothold and former Buck Sam McLintock sent a swerving, dipping effort wide of the sprawling Hall's left post.
The home side rode early Bucks pressure and took charge by the midpoint of the first period. The breakthrough came just after half hour as Kettering right-back Ben Hart made good ground down the flank and his accurate cross was inch-perfect for Ranger to volley home from close range.
The Bucks rallied with skipper Luke Rowe geeing the troops. Piggott bobbled a 20-yard strike at Jezeph.
A huge opening came and went 10 minutes before the break. Allen-Hadley's cross from the left was met by Stenson but he failed to keep his header down from six yards out.
It was a double blow for the visitors as Armson pulled up in the same move and was withdrawn for Remi Walker. Armson was later spotted on crutches and his absence was felt, as was winger Ola Lawal, who has a fractured kneecap.
Stenson almost fired a sensational pick-me-up but his 30-yard half-volley flew narrowly wide. The sharp Bucks hitman then fired well over shortly before the interval.
Telford re-emerged with the bit between their teeth and drew level. A Jordan Cranston free-kick was deflected behind and the left-back's corner was attacked by Stenson in a crowded box and bundled home by defender Pendley in front of the away end.
Moments after stewards had removed the white smokebomb from the goalmouth the home end erupted again as Kettering re-took the lead.
Hart's delivery caused trouble and was returned from the left flank by Jamar Loza and York was alive ahead of defenders to turn in from close range. This time red smoke entered the sky.
Piggott was moved into an attacking midfield role as Walker dropped deeper and the former dragged a bouncing effort well wide.
Wilkin's move to push Piggott paid off in some style with 20 minutes to go. Stenson shone with a wonderful piece of control and skill. He stabbed forward a pass with the outside of his foot that interested Piggott.
The former West Brom youngster rounded Jezeph with his first touch and finished with his left foot from a tight angle for bedlam behind the goal.
The second equaliser took the wind out of Kettering sails and Telford powered on.
If Piggott's second sparked wild scenes what would follow cranked up several notches.
Right-back Fridye-Harper picked the ball up inside his own half with no business to do what came next. He charged forward and kept going until he reached the Kettering box.
From the right corner he sent a low strike across goal which arrowed low into the far corner for a Telford lead.
Bucks nerves jangled in the closing minutes but they need not have. A backpass was short and a slip helped Hilton in on goal. He kept his cool and slotted home and all behind the goal lost theirs on a day to remember for AFC Telford.
Kettering Town: Jezeph, Hart (Miller, 88), Powell, Kelly-Evans, Kelly-Evans, Johnson (c), White, York, Thanoj, Ranger (Edwards, 65), McLintock (Fifield, 80), Loza (Pennant, 85).
AFC Telford United (4-3-3): Hall; Fridye-Harper, Pendley, Cawthorne, Cranston; Rowe (c), Piggott, Armson (Walker, 40); Moore (Hilton, 65), Stenson (Whittall, 90), Allen-Hadley.
Kevin Wilkin believes AFC Telford United have proven they have what it takes to topple Kettering Town in Monday afternoon's Southern Central Premier play-off final.
The Bucks travel to Northamptonshire with their last trip to Latimer Park fresh in their memories – a 1-1 draw in March where the hosts scored a dramatic 92nd-minute equaliser.
Despite suffering that late heartache there were still lots of positives for Telford to take on an afternoon where they dominated the then-favourites for automatic promotion, and Wilkin admitted there is a confidence within his squad that they can go one better on Monday.
“We’ve drawn confidence from that game without a doubt, and as I’ve said for a while now looking around the players we have in the group we know we’re a match for anybody at this level,” the Bucks boss said. “I think we’ve proved that throughout the course of the season, but those big players are going to have to come to the table now.”
He continued: “It’s an away game and I’m sure there’ll be a massive following from them. They’ll try and make things really difficult for us, but as a group we want to be here.
“We want to be in big games in front of big crowds on big occasions, and with this group of players I know we can get through those challenges.”
The Bucks boss also gave his thoughts on which side will be under the most pressure come kick-off.
“Both teams will feel an element of pressure without a doubt,” Wilkin began. “Kettering did look as though they were going to win the league at a canter at various points throughout the season and it hasn’t quite happened for them in the end.”
He added: “Equally, there were periods where we’ve had the chance to go and win the league ourselves and didn’t come up with the necessary wins.
“They’re close affairs and we know we’ve got to deal with the opposition and their strong home following, as well as the surface which I wouldn’t say plays to our strengths.
“We’re not making excuses because we know exactly what to expect, so we can just get on with focusing on winning the game.”
And Wilkin’s final word went to the Telford supporters, both the 600 set to travel to Kettering and the thousands who will follow updates from home.
“They’ll absolutely (make it feel like a home game), and they’ve done that for us all season,” he said. “We’re lucky to travel everywhere with the strong and vocal support that we’ve got, and hopefully they can be the difference for us.
“It’s disappointing that we can’t get more people to the game, and I’m sure there will be people who have supported us home and away all season who will miss out.
“That’s not my headache; I’ve got to focus on getting the team absolutely right and able to do the job on Monday so we can make everyone happy.”
Peter Short/Kettering Town FCImage caption
Goalkeeper Dan Jezeph celebrates after saving a Harborough penalty in the shootout
both made headlines this season by reaching the FA Cup second round
But on Wednesday night it was Kettering Town who came out on top against Harborough Town in the most dramatic of circumstances to keep their Southern League Premier Central play-off hopes alive
The Poppies won 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw
despite failing to score with either of their first two spot-kicks
and will now host AFC Telford United in the play-off final on Monday
May 5 (15:00 BST) with a place in the National League North or South next season at stake
"I didn't watch it - I had my back turned
I did see one go in [but that's all]," Kettering manager Richard Lavery told BBC Radio Northampton
"We did practice penalties but that was in front of no crowd
and nobody in that entire ground - Harborough fans included - can say we didn't deserve to win that game
"We had plenty of chances and you've got to take one of them - it wasn't to be
then it goes to penalties and the first ones weren't great
but it doesn't matter - we're through to the final."
who knocked out League One neighbours Northampton Town in the first round of the FA Cup
had home advantage at Latimer Park by virtue of finishing second in Southern League Premier Central
But their opponents were boosted by the return of former Tottenham and Brazil midfielder Sandro
who appeared for Harborough in their 5-3 FA Cup defeat by Reading after a chance meeting with manager Mitch Austin
Ranger helps Kettering stun Northampton in FA Cup
To Harborough with love - Sandro's FA Cup fairytale
Sandro came out of retirement to play for Harborough in the FA Cup
It proved to be an unhappy evening for the 36-year-old who was one of four Bees players who failed to score in the shootout
"It was amazing to be here with the boys
We need to be proud of ourselves because they gave 100%
it's unlucky," Sandro told BBC Radio Leicester
Asked why he had returned for the play-offs
the Brazilian said: "We created a very good connection
It was amazing to be part of the FA Cup game and I said 'let me be involved again'
For me it was a dream to come here and play in front of the fans again."
The score was 3-3 when Sandro stepped up for his penalty
but he shot wide and Connor Johnson eventually settled the tie with Kettering's seventh spot-kick
I just tried to put it in the corner and it was a little bit out
Kettering are hoping to return to the second tier of non-league football for the first time since being relegated in 2023
but face tough opposition in Telford who went through by beating Halesowen 3-2
Lavery was assistant to Marcus Law the last time Kettering won promotion to National League North in 2019
He returned to the club in February last year as their third manager in four months and his appointment was followed three months later by the arrival of the ambitious George Akhtar as Kettering's new owner
They took four points from their two games against Telford in the regular season
but Lavery is taking nothing for granted before Monday's game
"Telford are a good side - I don't underestimate anybody
We've got one more game to go - nothing's won yet," he added
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Billy Sharp's double helps Doncaster reach FA Cup third round after beating Kettering
Veteran striker Billy Sharp broke Kettering Town hearts with two goals as Doncaster Rovers came from behind to secure an extra-time win in the FA Cup second round
top of the Southern League Premier Central
defied the 69-place gap to their League Two opponents to lead through Isiah Noel-Williams until the 75th minute
equalised to take the tie into an additional half hour and then fired in the winner as the non-league side
who beat League One neighbours Northampton Town in the last round
Victory puts Rovers in Monday's draw for the third round
reaching that stage for the first time in three years
Doncaster lost their last meeting with non-league opposition
and a run of three successive draws has reined in their promotion bid in League Two
That run looked like getting worse as Kettering
led by ex-Newcastle man Nile Ranger - matchwinner at Sixfields in the last round - showed all the confidence that comes from their run of eight wins in their last nine games
who had also seen off Farsley Celtic from a tier above them in the pyramid during their run to the second round
survived an early penalty appeal as goalkeeper Jason Alexander just got enough of the ball before taking out Luke Molyneux
also bounced a header off the top of the bar and Rovers leading scorer Molyneux forced a fine save from Alexander
but the home side went ahead on the half-hour mark
Veteran striker Billy Sharp celebrates his equalising goal for Doncaster at Kettering
Their press saw on-loan West Ham youngster Patrick Kelly lose the ball to Noel-Williams
the 21-year-old son of former Watford favourite Gifton
who strode towards goal and expertly picked out the far corner to send Latimer Park wild with celebration
who stood in for injured regular keeper Dan Jezeph
produced another brilliant stop to deny Kyle Hurst but the towering Anderson created the leveller with 15 minutes to go
He headed goalwards from a corner and Sharp had the presence of mind to control on his thigh and volley the ball home from close range
Kettering centre-back Lewis White's shot on the turn almost restored their lead and in added time he cleared off the line from Molyneux as Doncaster's superior fitness began to tell
Sharp won it as another corner fell at his feet in the box
His first shot was blocked but he rifled the second through a crowd of players and into the net
Doncaster Rovers match-winner Billy Sharp told BBC Sport:
and [Isiah] Noel-Williams was the best player on the pitch
"We made a few changes which helped us and got us up the pitch a bit more
with more bodies in the final third and I was the lucky one to get the two goals to get us into the third round
"I know it's important for Kettering to get as far as they can but it is us for us as well
but we're delighted to get through and hopefully we get a good draw now."
Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann after the 2-1 extra time cup win at Kettering Town
"We've done our club proud today and our fans proud
We've taken Doncaster to the wire and just fallen at the final hurdle
"I'm just gutted for the lads because we've shown we're a good team
We showed it at Northampton and we've done it against Doncaster
"We've beaten one league team and taken another to extra-time so I'm proud
I'm gutted we've lost but that's football
"This has put the club back on the map
I'm the worst loser in the world but I'll have to take this on the chin."
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substituted for Bruno Andrade at 107 minutesNumber 7
Yellow Card at 109 minutes extra timeaway team
Westbrooke Match OfficialsReferee: Ben SpeedieAssistant Referee 1: Jon BlockAssistant Referee 2: Conor FarrellFourth Official: Richard EleyMatch StatsKey
Scroll LeftScroll RightKettering Town have progressed from four of their last six FA Cup ties against Football League opponents
with this their first ever competitive meeting with Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers have progressed from six of their last seven FA Cup ties against non-league opponents
though the exception was in their most recent such match against Kings Lynn Town in November 2022
This is Kettering Town’s first appearance in the FA Cup second round since 2009-10
They last reached the third round of the competition the season before in 2008-09
Doncaster Rovers have only lost three of their last 14 away games in the FA Cup (W9 D2)
winning six of their last eight on the road
Fourth official has announced 1 minutes of added time
Gary Hooper (Kettering Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half
George Broadbent (Doncaster Rovers) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked
Marvin Sordell (Kettering Town) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal
Lewis White (Kettering Town) right footed shot from outside the box is too high following a set piece situation
Gary Hooper (Kettering Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half
Kyle Hurst (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half
Luca Miller (Kettering Town) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner
Foul by Joshua Emmanuel (Doncaster Rovers)
Aaron Powell (Kettering Town) wins a free kick on the left wing
Connor Johnson (Kettering Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half
Marvin Sordell (Kettering Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul
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Kettering Town are set to face Doncaster Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup second round on Sunday
and the competition’s iconic trophy has visited the club in the build-up
The Poppies were formed over 150 years ago in 1872
and they have had a rich history with the cup ever since their first tie in the competition on 6 October 1888
They have reached the First Round on over 50 occasions
and made it to the Fourth Round in the 1988-89 and 2008-09 seasons where they were knocked out by Charlton and Fulham
Their achievements in the Emirates FA Cup have resulted in scoring 922 goals
and eleven more than the closest rivals in Tottenham Hotspur
The 921st and 922nd of those were scored during the stunning win over local rivals Northampton Town – who play four levels above them – earlier this month in the First Round
The side play in the Southern League Premier Central Division
which is the seventh level of the English football pyramid
and they will be hoping to cause another upset tomorrow
fans and locals visited Latimer Park ahead of the tie to have their photos taken with the famous silverware and participate in a fan forum
“This whole cup run is for the fans," said George Akhtar
"We don’t want this to be a flash in the pan
This is what we want the ambition of the club to be
A club like Kettering Town should be in at least the first round every season
and that’s the mindset we need to have
and I want them to stick with us beyond tomorrow’s game
“We’ve generated a bit of money from this cup run
and we will be sitting down to see where we can spend it in the best way
There’s a few things that we need to do such as build a new stand
but the big one for us would be an astroturf pitch as that would be a lasting legacy and secure the future of the club.”
Kettering Town versus Doncaster Rovers will be available to watch at 12pm GMT tomorrow on BBC Two and iPlayer, and details for the remaining second round ties can be seen here.
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Bedford Town tightened their grip on top spot in Southern League Premier Central, toppling old rivals Kettering Town 3-1 in front of almost 2,000 fans at a bouncing Eyrie on Friday night (21 February).
Two sublime goals in two early first half minutes from former Kettering frontman, Bruno Andrade fired the Eagles into a shock lead with Leon Lobjoit scoring a third for Bedford, before Kelly-Evans clinched a consolation goal for the Poppies.
In the lead up to this week’s promotion six-pointer, Kettering and Bedford had identical form sheets, with two losses and three wins in their last five respectively.
Bircham’s players have undergone something of a resuscitation since their 6-2 drubbing away at Telford, picking up nine points from their previous four games.
Following a formidable first half of the season, the visitors Kettering Town were beginning to show signs of fragility, picking up just three wins from seven games since the turn of the year.
Despite their patchy form, they sat just three points behind first-placed Bedford with four games in hand.
The Eyrie was packed to the rafters in both the home and away end for a Friday night under the lights, making for an inescapably boisterous atmosphere. Noise billowed out from the away end long before a ball had been kicked, setting the tone for a lively affair.
Once underway, however, the travelling Poppies contingent were soon silenced, and by none other than Bruno Andrade, a player who donned Kettering red and black for the first half of this season.
Just six minutes in, The Portuguese winger skipped past his former teammate Connor Johnson on the edge of the penalty area before lashing his shot over Jezeph and into the roof of the net, providing Bircham’s side with the start of dreams.
The Poppies had barely kicked back off before Andrade was at it again.
This time, Leon Lobjoit lofted a hopeful ball over the Kettering backline and having wriggled free from another tussle with Johnson, Andrade found himself bearing down on goal.
The former QPR man finished the opportunity assertively, slotting it past Jezeph with aplomb to send his side into a two goal lead which he was all but single-handedly accountable for.
Inevitably, there was a response from the Kettering players who had been startled into life by Bedford’s unforeseen fast start to proceedings.
Two golden opportunities to reinvigorate Kettering fell the way of Terell Pennant in the ten minutes following Andrade’s second, both of which he spurned.
The Eagles’ counter attacks for the remainder of the half were sporadic at best, with their best chance falling the way of Lewis Hilliard. Unfortunately for the Bedford midfielder, Jezeph was equal to his effort.
While many might have expected a more subdued second-half performance from the Eagles as they looked to hold on to their precious two-goal lead – and an even more precious three points – they began with energy once more.
Andrade wasn’t done taunting his former suitor as he turned provider for Bedford’s third.
He played a perfectly weighted through ball to Lobjoit who made the finish look elementary, passing the ball into the bottom right hand corner beyond a helpless Jezeph.
That goal puts Bedford’s talisman up to 20 goals for the season, just one behind the division’s outright top scorer this season, Telford’s Matthew Stenson.
If there was to be so much as a sniff of salvation for the visitors, they would require a response almost immediately. Just eight minutes after Lobjoit’s goal, Kelly-Evans gave the travelling fans hope in an unlikely revival.
Sam McClintock, who had been Kettering’s brightest player since coming on at half-time, played an inch perfect pass to unpick Bedford’s backline before Kelly-Evans slid the ball past Jameson Horlick.
To add fuel to the Kettering fire, Carl Mensah saw red with thirteen minutes remaining for a clumsy challenge on the edge of his own area which lead to his second yellow card and subsequent dismissal.
Although that riled up the Poppies fans in closing stages, they never looked like scoring another.
The Eagles defended resolutely, similar to how they had done in the first half, frequently hurling bodies on the line to block Kettering’s advances.
In fact, the biggest chance in the closing half an hour fell to Ryan Blake as he saw his whipped effort rattle the underside of the crossbar.
The home supporters’ cheers at full-time were immense, signifying just how much the win means for Bedford as we approach the business end of this campaign.
Speaking to Bedford Independent after the game, Bedford Town manager, Lee Bircham praised his side’s performance in beating league favourites, Kettering.
“It had everything didn’t it! We’ve done attack against defence in training for months now, and as for Bruno, I’m really, really pleased with him.
“I’ve tried to sign him a lot of times [in my career] but I finally got him in, and he’s brought into this group. He was brilliant today; two great finishes and could have had a hat trick, but he’s a great kid.
“I’m proud of all of them and they give me everything.
“Even when we went down to ten men, it didn’t feel like panic stations. We probably had a couple of chances on the counter attack as well.
“But that’s another game this season that will live long in the memory of Bedford Town fans.”
Next up for Bircham’s side is a home fixture against Alvechurch on 1 March, one of the many sides with an outside chance of a playoff spot.
For now, the weekend has barely even started and Bedford Town are able to celebrate being four points clear at the summit of Southern League Premier Central.
Ranger heads winner for Kettering in extra time after game ended 1-1
Miller had equalised for Kettering with fine header after Johnson had scored own goal
Click on 'report' tab to read the match report
Just 17 miles separate two Northamptonshire towns
'They've turned it around!' - Ranger's towering header gives Kettering extra time lead
Kettering Town have finally beaten Northampton Town and what a way to do it
the Poppies recovered to win 2-1 in extra time to cap off what has been a monumental weekend of FA Cup football so far
This will surely go down as the biggest 'cupset' of the first round with four divisions and 79 league places between these two local rivals
manager Richard Lavery and every other Kettering player out there tonight has etched themselves into the history books
The magic of the cup certainly didn't fail to disappoint
We will leave you with the video clip of Ranger's winning goal
which you can relive over and over again as many times as you like above
We'll see you all again tomorrow for five more ties
191Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Look what it means to the fans'published at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 202420:14 GMT 2 November 2024FT: Northampton 1-2 Kettering
Kettering Town match-winner Nile Ranger said on BBC Two: "It's special
Obviously our tier of football is quite low
On enjoying his football again: "I'm trying to be humble
Obviously I went down a level to show everyone I'm still hungry
553Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'This is what the FA Cup is all about'published at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 202420:10 GMT 2 November 2024FT: Northampton 1-2 Kettering
That strength and that desire shown is what got them over the line in extra time
602Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingFULL-TIMEpublished at 20:06 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 202420:06 GMT 2 November 2024Northampton 1-2 Kettering
Kettering Town have beaten their local rivals Northampton Town for the first time ever
Unbelievable scenes on the pitch and in the away end at Sixfields as the Poppies celebrate knocking the Cobblers out of the FA Cup in the first round
Northampton led through a Connor Johnson own-goal in the first half but Luca Miller turned the game on its head
scoring the equaliser and then setting up the winner for Nile Ranger in extra time
Kettering's first two goals in this fixture for 123 years and they've made history
Richard Lavery is absolutely ecstatic as are the 1,400 travelling fans
22214Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingONE ADDED MINUTEpublished at 121 mins121 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
427Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 120 mins120 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
Kettering Town are on the brink of history..
575Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 120 mins120 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
A long Northampton throw comes into the Kettering box but the visitors can clear
184Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Both teams have put everything into it'published at 20:03 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 202420:03 GMT 2 November 2024Northampton 1-2 Kettering
Matthew UpsonFormer Arsenal defender on BBC Two
282Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 119 mins119 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
End-to-end stuff to finish this pulsating encounter
132Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingYELLOW CARDpublished at 117 mins117 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
Tyler Magloire might have got away with one here for Northampton
Marvin Sordell gets in behind after a ball through by Devon Kelly-Evans and Magloire is the last man
He brings him down just outside the box but the ref deems it only to be a yellow
168Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 116 mins116 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
It's all getting a bit desperate for Northampton
They launch a ball forward but Kettering defender Lewis White is said to have been fouled in the air and it gives them the chance to run down a bit more time
174Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 114 mins114 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
Jon Guthrie finds space on the right for Northampton and plays a teasing pass across the face of goal but Martyn Waghorn can't get on the end of it
More frustration from the home support as Kettering close in on a famous victory
163Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 112 mins112 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
The pressure is cranking up in these last 10 minutes but it's not proving to be enough yet for the hosts
William Hondermarck has a shot blocked for Northampton and then it falls to Ben Fox on the edge of the box who fires wide
163Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'Northampton are really struggling to break Kettering down'published at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 202419:56 GMT 2 November 2024Northampton 1-2 Kettering
John Guthrie is winning everything in the air at the moment but there is no other game plan apart from that
Northampton are really struggling to break Kettering down at the moment
204Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 111 mins111 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
so good for Kettering but they almost give up an easy chance as Jack Sowerby plays a tired pass back towards keeper Daniel Jezeph but Northampton's Martyn Waghorn is there to intercept..
His touch is heavy though and he can't get it under control
82Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 108 mins108 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
Marvin Sordell nearly gets in behind for Kettering but Tyler Magloire just nicks in ahead of him to steer it back to Nikola Tzanev
73Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'It was pure desire'published at 19:50 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 202419:50 GMT 2 November 2024Northampton 1-2 Kettering
Adebayo AkinfenwaFormer Wycombe striker on BBC Two
252Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingKICK-OFFpublished at 106 mins106 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
The second half of extra time is under way..
15 minutes for Kettering Town to hold on for their first ever victory over Northampton Town
203Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingHALF-TIMEpublished at 19:47 Greenwich Mean Time 2 November 202419:47 GMT 2 November 2024Northampton 1-2 Kettering
Kettering lead 2-1 at half-time in extra time after Nile Ranger's close-range header put them ahead just two minutes after the restart
255Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPostpublished at 108 mins108 minsNorthampton 1-2 Kettering
We're edging towards the end of three minutes of added time at the end of the first period in extra time and Kettering keeper Daniel Jezeph comes out to claim excellently from a Northampton free-kick
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Seventh tier Kettering knock out League One local rivals Northampton
Nile Ranger scored a sensational winner in extra time as seventh-tier Kettering Town produced the biggest shock of the FA Cup first round against near-neighbours Northampton Town
who are 17 miles and four divisions apart from the Southern League Premier Division Central leaders
Northampton took a first-half lead as Kettering captain Connor Johnson unluckily diverted a Tariqe Fosu shot into his own net
Johnson was a rock in defence after that misfortune as Kettering-born teenager Luca Miller scored a stunning equaliser with his head after coming on as a substitute
It has been a long road to redemption for Ranger
who has had numerous off-field issues amid a career that began at St James’ Park in 2009
Gainsborough & Harborough into FA Cup round two
'I was wild and messed up - I don't want others to make same mistakes'
Any chance of an upset became even harder after 28 minutes when Fosu’s wayward shot cannoned off the thigh of Johnson to give the home side the lead at a packed Sixfields
Kettering keeper Dan Jezeph produced two great saves from Liam McCarron to keep the non-league side in the contest
and they gradually took over in the second half and pinned the Cobblers back
but it was teenage substitute Miller who changed the course of the game
Ben Hart swung in a wicked cross from the right and the local boy timed his run to perfection to guide a picture-book header into the top corner
Northampton tried to respond but with Johnson marshalling the defence the away side held firm
with Aaron Powell’s sliding block to deny Akin Odimayo being especially heroic
Just two minutes into the extra 30 minutes
drifting in an excellent corner which was met by Ranger with a thumping finish
Nile Ranger (right) joined Kettering in September
Kettering Town striker Nile Ranger told BBC Two:
"Obviously our tier of football is quite low
"Obviously I went down a level to show everyone I'm still hungry
Hondermarck at 71 minutesSubstituteshome team
Yellow Card at 104 minutes extra timeNumber 38
Yellow Card at 116 minutes extra timeNumber 4
Hondermarck at 71 minutesSubstitutesNumber 1
York Match OfficialsReferee: Elliot BellAssistant Referee 1: Alan CresswellAssistant Referee 2: Ryan WilliamsFourth Official: Ben SpeedieMatch StatsKey
The next best chance came for Kettering in the 40th minute after a fast break and a cross from Tyree Wilson was saved before falling to Nile Ranger who had most of the goal to aim at but somehow managed to fire his effort wide leaving the score one nil to Kettering at the break
The first chance of the second half came in the 56th minute and Farsley’s way and saw Darren Stephenson played through and he calmly slotted it past the keeper to level the scores
Danny Greenfield almost broke through on goal as he chipped the ball past the last defender only to be taken out with the defender only given a yellow card
which was made worse six minutes later when Conor Branson was shown a straight red for a heavy challenge
In the 89th minute Andi Thanoj had a great chance to win it for Kettering but his shot was very tame and went straight at Wooster
Kettering made their man advantage count as the ball was sent into the Farsley box and they were unable to clear as it fell for Noel Williams who slotted home the winner for Kettering