First the bad bit, the referee was abysmal. Absolutely brilliant match, pretty even first half. First 20 mins second half even but the last 25 mins was relentless pressure from Witton, topped off with a stunning winner. If any of the players think they are still young men learning there craft, you are wrong. EVERYONE of them today proved they have grown up and showing they have commitment, guts and staying power. Eleven MEN who every witton fan is proud of today
I have lost count of the number of times this season that our team will not accept anything less than a victory. Their commitment and fight is unbelievable, they just never give up!! It really is a pleasure to watch and we have a serious team here to be proud of.
And that goal…just wow!! :goal UTA
Woooohooooo. Best day at WP for as long as I can remember, says it all. Fabulous effort by everyone at the club :clap
over the 90 mins we absolutely deserved this result. Kettering were shell shocked for the last 30mins of the game - not just at the final whistle.
i thought after they scored we were never troubled and the ball just did’nt drop for us in the 1st half.if there is a fitter non league team than us then i have’nt seen them yet.UTA.
ONWARD AND UPWARDS. :clap :clap
WHS.
Absolutely great game to watch, a fantastic team performance with every man committed to the cause, Carl must be pretty proud of this team who are great technically and give every ounce of energy they have ( and the fans love this ) We have seen so many superb performances this season, of the game they started really well and looked a very good and big outfit We were caught out a bit by the big no 10 in his floating role- but after about 20 minutes we got a grip of them and dominated them in midfield and defensively we were well on top and then lead upfront superbly by Rob Hopley we harried and chased, created loads of opportunities and fully deserved to win even if it was in the 95 minute lol.
At the end the crowd to a man were really appreciative of a 10/10 display I usually pick a MOM but today really was a day to award it to the team - just fabulous.,
UTA bowdown
What a game! Excellent value for money loved every minute, these lads work and work and work and are a joy to watch. Amazing scenes when that ball went in top corner! Very proud to be a Wittoner. UTA
What a difference a week makes. After last Saturdays result I was a bit down, but todays performance and well deserved result was the most I’ve enjoyed a match for many seasons, even though I really prefer league to cup games.Thank you team and management for a game that will live long in the memory. Money in the bank and no need of a replay what a result. Glad Kettering brought a few, made for a better atmosphere in the ground. Had the game finished a draw I think most of the posts on here would have been about the many baffling refereeing decisions. That guy was worthy of a thread of his own.
Yes the ref! He was a joker, surely. Please tell me he isn’t a real ref?
What a game today and what a fantastic result for us!
Absolutely. Carl and his staff must take massive credit for that. They don’t seem to have any fear either, absolutely brilliant I am a very proud Wittoner tonight.Cheers guinness UTA
I’m not one to ever mention the ref but this guy was unreal, how he didn’t give the penalty for handball was shocker and his decisions second half were dreadful. The desire to win in the last 20 minutes was fantastic and we kept knocking on the door until we smashed it down in the 96th minute . Great scenes at the end
Notice that C.J. of this site has been visiting The Dark{green} Side, all sorts of mayhem going on there. Considering that they are same position in the league {5th} as us it seems that is not good enough for a team of their importance in the football world. Apologies if this is in wrong thread.
From Kettering …
IN A NUTSHELL:
The Poppies were outfought by their lower ranked hosts today losing 2-1 to exit the F A Trophy. Witton’s goals came with the last kick of each half from Rob Hopley (45mins +2) and, dramatically, Wes Benjamin (90 mins + 6).The Poppies had taken an 8th minute lead through Liam Canavan but really didn’t look like adding to this goal afterwards.
THE KETTERING SQUAD:
It was the same starting eleven as at St Ives last week. Rene Howe reported a groin strain and did not make the trip and was replaced on the bench by Aaron O’Connor, who then broke down in the pre match warm up! Paul White was on the bench returning from injury. There was no Ben Stephens, who is expected to join Stratford after a 7 day approach last week.
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED:
Witton kicked off and immediately signalled their intentions as Dean Snedker fielded a 60 yard shot!
Kettering got forward in the third minute as Nathan Hicks’ right foot effort drifted wide. In their next meaningful attack five minutes later they took the lead.
Wilson Carvalho crossed from the right and Spencer Weir-Daley controlled well to set up Liam Canavan who stroked a low left foot past Dan Roberts.
James Brighton’s 11th minute corner dropped onto the top of the net and Carvalho cut in from the right but his left foot shot was over the bar.
Witton’s Bradley Bauress had space for a shot which he curled into Snedker’s arms.
James Haran’s run into the penalty area saw him go down in a heap – but the Referee was not moved.
This first 20 minutes or so gave no indication of what was to follow. The Albion- unbeaten at home this season- began to show why. Their brand of fast flowing football, with ball to feet, began to stretch the Poppies. They had a lot of attacking play and were good in regaining possession as the Poppies, particularly in midfield, were outplayed. Snedker was constantly in action- mainly taking crosses and corners as he stood tall.
Steve Tames got clear and Snedker got hands to the ball with Dom Langdon running round behind to clear the ball. More good play got Matthew Devine a chance but the ball was just out of his reach.
On 41 minutes Rob Hopley was put clear and Snedker made a good save with his legs. Gary Mulligan then just got in an important block to deny Hopley and then a header to block a Thomas Owens’ shot.
Kettering were buckling and three corners followed for Witton and Prince Haywood fired just wide.
Not to be outdone, Witton equalised with the last kick of the half. A needless foul by Canavan allowed the ball to be put into the area and a combination of Snedker and the post stopped the first effort- only for Hopley to net the rebound.
Half Time:
Witton Albion 1 - 1 Kettering Town
The start of the half saw Witton on the attack and Owens was clear on the left but hit the side netting. Snedker was out to clear from the advancing Tames and moments later, Hopley fired over.
Kettering’s cause was not helped as Brighton went down unchallenged with a knee twist and had to be replaced by Brett Solkhon in the 49th minute.
After 10 minutes of the half Kettering got an effort on goal as Canavan chipped a shot at Roberts. Then Spencer Weir-Daley ran onto a long pass on the left and his first time left foot shot was just over the bar.Matthew Barnes-Homer got in a cross but it was onto the top of the net.
Witton were looking slick but, despite their possession, they could not trouble Snedker, who raced off his line to gather from Hopley.
Paul Williams’ 65th minute free kick, from a good position, came off the wall for a fruitless corner.
Canavan shot from the left but it was easy for Roberts to gather.
Witton came strong in the last 20 minutes. Bauress fired over after a corner and claims for a 77th minute penalty for a Solkhon handball were denied.
It was fast and furious and the teams squared up to each other a couple of times as the pressure grew – with the Referee seemingly unable to control the game, giving a number of odd decisions–for both teams.
As the game entered added time, Kettering did get forward and Canavan’s cross was cleared away from Weir-Daley.
Once again, and very dramatically, Witton scored with the final kick of the half. A corner was cleared and Wes Benjamin got the loose ball and fired high into the net to win the tie.
Kettering have to pick themselves up very quickly for two league games next week – at Kings Langley on Tuesday and Hitchin on Saturday.
Full Time:
Witton Albion 2 - 1 Kettering Town
Attendance: 339 (Poppies fans estimated at 80
Bloody hell!
All long hair now needs to be greeting with “where’s your caravan”?
I can’t add anything to what was already written. Just saying as a non-northern monkey (like you lot) and a relative newbie to Witton - goddamn the guys DOMINATED today!
Only comment on the ref…the handballs were accidental but it was a backpass… move that ball 2 feet! mate…it makes all the difference!
Great support boys and girls!
X!
A fantastic result to make us Witton fans proud. We thoroughly deserved to win, anything less would have been a travesty.These players just do not give up, they run and work as a team for the entire game. It is a joy to watch. Hopefully we get a good draw, and progress even further in the trophy. We need not be afraid of anyone the way we play. UTA
More from Kettering - just shows how much we dominated this game…
Sloppy Poppies lose 2-1 away to Witton Albion in FA Trophy 2nd Qual Round
Kettering TownWitton Albion
Witton Albion 2
Hopley 45
Benjamin 90
Kettering Town 1
Canavan 10
The FA Trophy takes center stage today as Kettering Town travel north to take on NPL hosts Witton Albion in the 2nd qualifying round of the knockout competition. The Poppies will be without Rene Howe who has a knock but have Spencer Wier-Daley in their starting line up and will be hoping he continues his rich scoring streak.
Goal!GOAL: The tie kicks-off at Wincham Park and the Poppies are wearing their away colours of Blue and White as the home side play in red. Some good opening exchanges but neither keeper troubled as yet. Albion keeper Roberts still wasn’t troubled as the strike from Liam Canavan left him little chance after he was played in by Carvalho and it’s 1-0 to Poppies with 10 minutes gone.
A shot from Barnes-Homer flies just over the crossbar as Kettering continue to press the home side on the counter. At the other end the home side making sure Snedker in the Poppies goal stays alert with a shot straight down the middle. A little sloppy from the Poppies as the home side are definitely in the ascendancy at the moment and giving Kettering the run around in midfield. A good run from Haran who goes down in the area but the referee waves play on.
Kettering’s defence really all at sea there as Witton broke clear, lobbed the ball over Snedker but it didn’t quite have enough on it and Langdon managed to scramble it off the line. A lucky escape there and hopefully Kettering heed the warning signs. Chances at both ends and Witton breaking fast again and Kettering having to defend deeper and protect Snedker in the Poppies goal as much as possible heading into the break.
Goal!GOAL: Kettering virtually under siege and living very dangerously having to defend back-to-back corners and shots raining in on Snedker in the closing minutes of the first-half. There’s the equaliser in time added on, it was certainly coming and Kettering can really have no complaints. It was a scrambled affair and bundled over the line, but certainly well deserved by the home side.
Half-time: Witton Albion 0 Kettering Town 1
Marcus Law really will have to shake them back into life for the second 45 minutes if they are to get through this tie unscathed. It certainly looks like there are plenty more goals in it yet. Witton pick up where they left off and almost take the lead as Snedker is having to really stay on his toes. Brighton comes off to be replaced by Solkhon.
Witton still looking much the more dangerous side and snedker still the busier keeper, but Kettering show the odd signs of life at least. Barnes-Homer breaks clear but the official flags for offside much to the chagrin of the traveling faithful and Marcus Law. Canavan is brought to ground by a strong challenge and Kettering win a free-kick that comes to nothing.
A Whitton free-kick is put behind for a corner and Kettering eventually clear the danger. The home side can’t believe that they are still only on level terms after they have almostv laid siege to the Poppies goal. Kettering for their part are hanging on to what would be a replay on Tuesday night. A handball in the Poppies area but the referee waves play on. The offical then produces a yellow card for another Witton player’s frustration.
Into the final ten minutes or so of this Trophy tie. A fast break as Carvalho breaks clear and goes down in the area with the Witton keeper Roberts. The free-kick goes the way of the keeper and a melee starts involving 20-plus players that has to be calmed down. It’s certainly been an eventual afternoon and Kettering lucky to still be in this one, having been up against it for almost an hour.
Goal!GOAL: Mulligan booked for a foul with five minutes of normal time remaining. Kettering having a go late on and claiming handball but again the referee waves play on. It looks likely its heading to Tuesday night’s replay unless either side can produce a winner to progress today. Snedker races out to deny scorer Hopley. There it is, it’s been coming for most of the match and Witton Albion are finally in front courtesy of Wes Benjamin.
There goes the final whistle and Witton are through, Kettering are out. It came very late in the half yet again but its been coming for a long time and thoroughly deserved to allow Witton Albion to avoid a trip to Kettering on Tuesday. A very, very disappointing performance from Kettering who despite taking the early lead spent the next 80 minutes defending and did very little at the other end. It’s back to the league and King’s Langley on Tuesday night for Poppies.
Att: 339
Kettering Town:Snedker, Hicks, Langdon, Mulligan, Canvan, Haran, Malone, Brighton, Carvalho, Barnes-Homer, Weir-Daley. Subs: Westwood, White, Hornby, O’Connor, Solkhon.
Witton Albion: Roberts, Gardner, Devine, Wilson, Benjamin, Williams, Haywood, Owens, Hopley, Tames, Bauress. Subs: Adigun, Noon, Hickman, Omotola, Garner.
Most magnanimous from the poppies there and I must say the programme was superb with the story about the camaraderie in the past between Kettering and Albion fans and the article about Carl Alford as well as the usual articles it was a great read. Well done to everyone involved in the programme!
one of the articles was when witton supporters beat their kettering counterparts at moss farm and i scored 3
Wish I could take the credit but it’s Chad’s senior and junior who put those two great pieces together.