Kettering nick derby win

Tony Crane rises high

Kettering Town took a step closer to the Blue Square North title by beating Boston United at the Staffsmart Stadium on Easter Monday.

John Dempster scored the only goal of the game in the 31st minute, sentencing the Pilgrims to another narrow defeat in the process.

The derby encounter, played in front of 2,003 spectators, was keenly-contested throughout and Kettering shaded proceedings, although the Pilgrims turned in an excellent first half performance.

Going into the match at the Staffsmart Stadium, Chris Wright, Jon Stevenson and Stewart Talbot all came into Boston side to replace Aaron Butcher, Kieran Leabon and Ashley Nicholls.

Boston went close within the first minute when Talbot looped a header onto the crossbar, following Stevenson’s corner.

Boston saw another good chance go begging when Liam Green’s free-kick was only partially cleared and Crane volleyed wide from 10 yards.

Kettering went close in the 24th minute when Chris Beardsley lifted an effort just over from an acute angle, following David Bridges’ neat assist.

Wright marked his comeback with a good stop six minutes later when he clutched Craig Westcarr’s firm drive from 18 yards, following good play around the Boston box from Bridges and Anthony Robinson.

Kettering took the lead in the 31st minute when Dempster ghosted in at the near post to head home Jon Brady’s corner from two yards.

Battle in the snow

Boston had a penalty shout turned down six minutes before half-time, with Tom Kemp appearing to deny Lee Thompson’s cross with his hand. However, referee Gary Brittain waved play on.

Visiting keeper Lee Harper made a good save when he denied Jon Rowan from 10 yards, following Tom Matthews’ dinked ball into the box.

Kettering had a huge let-off when Guy Branston headed against his own post, following Stevenson’s right-wing cross.

Boston had another penalty appeal turned down when Crane appeared to be bundled over following Thompson’s free-kick, but again referee Brittain waved aside the home side’s protests.

The Pilgrims made a change at half-time, with Nicholls replacing injury victim Rowan.

Kettering squandered a good chance inside the opening second of the half, when Westcarr thrashed an effort just over from 18 yards. The Poppies wasted another glorious opportunity to extend their lead a minute later when Brett Solkhon headed wide unmarked from Brady’s cross.

Matt Bloomer gets stuck in

Crane produced a timely block to thwart Bridges from close-range as Kettering bossed the opening stages of the second half.

In a bizarre incident, both Boston goalkeeper Wright and referee Brittain received lengthy treatment for their respective injuries, but both were able to continue.

Neat play down the right between Stevenson and Nicholls almost created an opening for Boston, but Harper was quick enough to beat Jon Froggatt to the ball in the six-yard box.

Boston finally enjoyed a positive phase of play around the hour mark and their possession was capped with Paul Ellender heading just wide from Nicholls’ free-kick.

Wright made a good save on 70 minutes when he palmed Beardsley’s angled drive behind for a corner. At the other end, good play from Stevenson afforded Boston a good chance and Nicholls saw his fierce drive charged down by the imposing figure of Branston.

Wright made another good save when he tipped Brady’s looping cross away from the top corner, while Westcarr scrambled the rebound wide.

Kettering should have wrapped up the game in the 85th minute, but Beardsley headed wide from Brady’s inviting cross.

Wright produced a good stop in the 90th minute when he clutched Bridges’ 20-yarder, following good play from Brady.

Despite the Pilgrims huffing and puffing in stoppage time, Kettering duly held on to record all three points.

Boston (4-4-2): Chris Wright; Tom Matthews, Tony Crane, Matt Bloomer, Liam Green; Lee Thompson (Micky Nuttell 73), Stewart Talbot (Ben Joyce 68), Paul Ellender, Jon Rowan (Ashley Nicholls 46); Jon Froggatt, Jon Stevenson. Subs (not used): Simon Weaver, Matt O’Halloran.

Kettering (4-3-3): Lee Harper; John Dempster, Tom Kemp, Guy Branston, Tommy Jaszczun; Jon Brady, Brett Solkhon, David Bridges; Anthony Robinson (Jean-Paul Marna 67), Chris Beardsley, Craig Westcarr. Subs (not used): Luke Graham, Sam Shilton, Gary Mills, Nick Bussey (gk).