Kettering Town were formed in 1872 and as you would expect of a team called "Kettering Town" they were based in the Northamptonshire town of Kettering. From 1897 to 2011 they played at Rockingham Road, Kettering (see a theme here) but as seems to be the way with modern football tradition was ditched and in the summer following the death of Rushden & Diamonds, Kettering Town were moved from the town which gave rise to the club to the small, village of Irthlingborough 8 miles away...rather predicitably the gates have fallen and the cost of Nene Park (memorably decsribed to me today as the non league Wembley!) at allegedly £1,000 per day have brought Kettering Town to the brink of destruction.
So once again an away day was being embarked on with the good people of First Pink Bus (which is neither pink or run by First, but it was many moons ago, so is still called FPB by some) I woke with a cracking hangover and headed to the Uni to collect Palmer before catching the coach at Odd Down. The coach journey was uneventful (aren't they always, while a cracking little resource the FPB does lack the romance and adventure of catching the train to games) and we disembarked in Irthlingborough. I forgot my camera (again!) but this is not such an issue as it is a nowhere place, with a crap ground and litterally nothing of note to take photos of.
The team at Kettering defied belief so I will type it out here in full:
Matthews
Simpson Jones Burnell Stonehouse
Murray Canham Hogg Connolly Watkins
Cook
So against a team that are so brassic they couldn't name a full subs bench and who lost 7-0 recently, we started with 5 in midfield and the permanently shit and lazy Jamie Cook upfront on his own. A role he is quite clearly not suited for, not that I've seen anything to suggest he's suited to being a footballer at all.
Nene Park is a classic new build, unnecessary numbers of seats, souless, and due to the overuse of plastic style pannels looks instantly dirty and grubby, give me Twerton Park and its knocked about glory any day.
The game was painfully predictable, City had a lot of play and the keeper saved a few, but mainly it was lots of football with sod all end product, and playing the lone striker meant the ball went into the box and....no one was near it as there were 5 men in midfield. The game was 0-0 at half time, and this was partly due to the worst surface I've seen at a game in a fair while, Palmer remarked that perhaps they were growing potatoes as a way of solving their cash issues!
Around 50 minutes Scott Murray picked up the ball wide on the right, ran inside and from 25-35 yards (we were on the side at the other end I have no idea how far it was!) unleashed an absolute screamer! The ball rocketed over the keeper and into the back of the net, probably the best goal I've seen this season, and probably the best goal since either Mackies against Darlo or Connolly at Tamworth from last season!
At which point City fell apart again, useless punts up field, no attacking threat, no chances Kettering grew into the game Gethin tried his hardest to keep giving them chances. Cook was replaced by Amadi-Holloway on 75 minutes, and A A-H proceeded to do the square root of fuck all. I fear my early optimism might have been misplaced, he clearly has skill but hasn't contributed anything so far.
Kettering finally got the expected equaliser of 84 minutes and probably could have gone on to win the game. So it finished 1-1 and I'm losing my rag with Adie Britton now. We're shit, we're definitely going down, so at least play entertaining football.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Football's rollercoaster
Christ, when I come to do my season review I'm sure I'll have to comment on how my moods have been more fluctuating that of a teenage girls! After the floating high of City's win against Telford United on Saturday, game the devastating low of the loss to Kidderminster Harriers on the Tuesday (last night)
City were to play at the Aggborough ground on the Tuesday night, so an early release from Foxhill purgatory was negotiated, and at 3:15 I escaped work, picked up Hilly and went to Odd Down to catch the supporters coach (now what did I say at D&R about how its shit but useful?!) The coach was full for the first Tuesday night away game in four years, meaning at least 49 stripes would be making the journey (in the end it was 87!) a surprisingly quick journey meant we were soon in Kidderminster. However, I had forgotten my camera so we'll have to make do with last years photo (hence daylight pics) we piled out of the coach and headed straight to the King & Castle pub. This is a superb ale pub crammed with 6 handpumbs and set in an old Great Western Railway waiting room. A few great ales were supped by the optimistic stripes and we set off for the ground via a "shortcut" and ended up stuck in a sidings, an inauspicious start to what was to be a crap night.
Eventually, we found ourselves at the ground and filed into the away end. For those of you who have never (or will never) get to Aggborough, the food there is amazing! Shockingly good, all football grounds in England should aim for this level of food! I grabbed a home made Cottage Pie (home made!!!!) and went to the terrace.
City started with the same team which beat Telford and via a massive deflected Scott Murray freekick were ahead within 6 minutes! The Legion were in full voice and for 30 minutes were all over Kidderminster and could have scored at least twice more with Murray and Phillips having chances...at which point the wheels fell off and City suddenly collapsed.
Kiddy in their first proper attack of the night, broke down the right, City's defence was at sixes and sevens and in the words of Paul Hill "a delicious cross" was floated over and Steve Guinan headed home. At this point all attacking intent drained away, and the insane decision to start Joe Burnell at centre back was exposed. This choice was made all the more baffeling when you considered the Kiddy striker Jamille Matt the towering centre forward, who Burnell would never beat in the air but who Charlie Clough could have dominated.
Then right on half time when a flick on from a goal kick dropped to Matt who hit the ball towards goal, Jason Matthews got a good hand to it, but the ball agonisingly dribbled over the line in front of the despairing Joe Burnell. At this point you sensed that City were fucked.
At half time I once again sampled the wonderful Kiddy food, this time opting for the curry, superb once again, and I will point out at this point that I don't normally eat twice in a game, but when the food is this good!!!
I really can't be bothered to describe the second half, but can sum it up with the words "City were shite" it was as bad a performance as the Forest Green game, which I didn't even write a post for as we were that clueless. Two more goals were scored and City lost 4-1. A disconsolate coach journey followed, and from the hope and optimism of Saturday came the despair of the late drive home from Odd Down, however, given how fluctuating my emotions have been, I wouldn't be surprised if City hit a 4 game winning streak! Although it is painfully unlikely.
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| The King & Castle |
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| Great Western carpet |
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| Part of the old Great Western Line |
Eventually, we found ourselves at the ground and filed into the away end. For those of you who have never (or will never) get to Aggborough, the food there is amazing! Shockingly good, all football grounds in England should aim for this level of food! I grabbed a home made Cottage Pie (home made!!!!) and went to the terrace.
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| Last years proof of cottage pie, and fancy dress |
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| Imagine this stand, but at night.... |
At half time I once again sampled the wonderful Kiddy food, this time opting for the curry, superb once again, and I will point out at this point that I don't normally eat twice in a game, but when the food is this good!!!
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| Imagine darker still, and you're almost there! |
Sunday, 4 December 2011
Its such a perfect day....
I'm glad I spent it with you (and all that) so it finally came to pass on 3rd December City finally played like they have threatened to at stages in the season for a whole game and absolutely battered AFC Telford United. The final score was a respectable 3-1 but if Telford keeper Ryan Young hadn't played like a young Peter Schmeichel City could have been 7 or 8 ahead by the end. Oh and to make the day even better Bath rugby lost.
City started with an adventurous line up (for once I hear you cry!) with Scott Murray finally getting the start everyone was screaming for, with Lee Phillips partnering Aaran [His official spelling not mine I hasen to point out!] Amadi-Holloway up front, as Sean Canham has returned to Hereford after his productive loan spell.
The change of emphasis showed, and City carried on from the last 20 of the Mansfield game and the form showed away at Cambridge in the 1-1 draw in midweek. They attacked with verve and vigour and while Scottys decision making was sometimes a bit wayward he was at least offering proper width and was causing the defence lots of problems.
City had three good chances through Amadi-Holloway and Phillips which the keeper did well to keep out, until on 26 minutes Murray was lying prone on the floor, but play continued the Scotch wonderman dragged himself to his feet, the ball dropped to him he ran at a few defenders fired in a shot, which appeared to be going wide) before it took a huge deflection wrong footed Young and nestled into the net. 1-0....but wait for the third game in a row we appear to have a lino who wants to shaft us as the flag went up. Offside appeared to be the decision but thankfully for once the officials didn't appear to hold a grudge against all things stripey and the referee overruled his assistant.
City continued to have the best of the half and Andy Gallingah continued to do a very excellent job of filling the Sido Jomabati sized hole on our left flank.
However, typically City went in at half time 1-1. A freekick was given around the halfway line, and while City were arguing with the officials Telford took it quickly bypassed the defence and Stephen Jones waltzed around Jason Matthews to score. Matthews exploded and screamed at his defence, and while Glyn Garner is the more adept shotstopper, Matthews is definitely more vocal and this maybe the reason for his selection.
How City weren't running away with this game was solely down to Ryan Young and the Twerton Park faithful were worried, but not overly as for once we seemed to have confidence and looked good all over the pitch.
City began attacking again, and then on 55 minutes the luck that had been going against City completely changed. A corner led to Gethin Jones being pulled down, it was a clear penalty which was awarded, happy days, everyone called for a red (as lets be honest football fans do whenever a decision is given!) but no-one expected it to be a red, but there it was a little piece of red card was flashed and we were jubilant! Marc Canham scored his 4th penalty of the year (am definitely annoyed he was in China when we had the two we missed) City 2-1 up and dominant against 10 men.
City controlled the game from then on, and while Telford started to try and excert a bit of extra pressure, very few chances fell for Telford and Ryan Young continued to deny City. However, he finally made a mistake when Joe Bryan fired a long distance shot which appeared to go under the keeper. 3-1 only the second win of the season, but incredibly City are only 7 points from safety, we have a chance, and if we play like we did against Telford we should easily begin the climb to safety, beginning with Kidderminster away on Tuesday night.
What a perfect, perfect day, oh and did I mention Bath Rugby lost? Perfect...
City started with an adventurous line up (for once I hear you cry!) with Scott Murray finally getting the start everyone was screaming for, with Lee Phillips partnering Aaran [His official spelling not mine I hasen to point out!] Amadi-Holloway up front, as Sean Canham has returned to Hereford after his productive loan spell.
The change of emphasis showed, and City carried on from the last 20 of the Mansfield game and the form showed away at Cambridge in the 1-1 draw in midweek. They attacked with verve and vigour and while Scottys decision making was sometimes a bit wayward he was at least offering proper width and was causing the defence lots of problems.
City had three good chances through Amadi-Holloway and Phillips which the keeper did well to keep out, until on 26 minutes Murray was lying prone on the floor, but play continued the Scotch wonderman dragged himself to his feet, the ball dropped to him he ran at a few defenders fired in a shot, which appeared to be going wide) before it took a huge deflection wrong footed Young and nestled into the net. 1-0....but wait for the third game in a row we appear to have a lino who wants to shaft us as the flag went up. Offside appeared to be the decision but thankfully for once the officials didn't appear to hold a grudge against all things stripey and the referee overruled his assistant.
City continued to have the best of the half and Andy Gallingah continued to do a very excellent job of filling the Sido Jomabati sized hole on our left flank.
However, typically City went in at half time 1-1. A freekick was given around the halfway line, and while City were arguing with the officials Telford took it quickly bypassed the defence and Stephen Jones waltzed around Jason Matthews to score. Matthews exploded and screamed at his defence, and while Glyn Garner is the more adept shotstopper, Matthews is definitely more vocal and this maybe the reason for his selection.
How City weren't running away with this game was solely down to Ryan Young and the Twerton Park faithful were worried, but not overly as for once we seemed to have confidence and looked good all over the pitch.
City began attacking again, and then on 55 minutes the luck that had been going against City completely changed. A corner led to Gethin Jones being pulled down, it was a clear penalty which was awarded, happy days, everyone called for a red (as lets be honest football fans do whenever a decision is given!) but no-one expected it to be a red, but there it was a little piece of red card was flashed and we were jubilant! Marc Canham scored his 4th penalty of the year (am definitely annoyed he was in China when we had the two we missed) City 2-1 up and dominant against 10 men.
City controlled the game from then on, and while Telford started to try and excert a bit of extra pressure, very few chances fell for Telford and Ryan Young continued to deny City. However, he finally made a mistake when Joe Bryan fired a long distance shot which appeared to go under the keeper. 3-1 only the second win of the season, but incredibly City are only 7 points from safety, we have a chance, and if we play like we did against Telford we should easily begin the climb to safety, beginning with Kidderminster away on Tuesday night.
What a perfect, perfect day, oh and did I mention Bath Rugby lost? Perfect...
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