Kettering vs Slough

FULL TIME Kettering 1 Slough 0. The Rebels are beaten by a single goal at Latimer Park after a tough second half.

Slough traveled to a new and improved Latimer Park, scene of THAT playoff final victory, looking to replicate that result on a wet, overcast and miserable day but had to cope with a confident Kettering side and a blustery wind which made goal kicking a lottery. Slough welcomed Billy Grainger in goal replacing the injured Mark Scott, his 2nd game for the rebels, nearly 2 1/2 years after his first debut game and the rebels started with a 3-5-2 formation with Putman up front.

The first half was one of the direst games i have ever seen, no corners or shots on target for either side, as both teams struggled to cope with the strong wind, particularly Kettering keeper Hill who must have seen 10 goal kicks go straight out of play but still took the kicks from the same side. Slough had the first real chance as Putman volleyed from the edge of the area but his effort was the wrong side of the post. Kettering had a better effort when Weir-Daley shot over when he was well placed to score. Slough had the better of the play as they had the wind in their favour but failed to trouble the Kettering goal HALF TIME 0-0.

Kettering had obviously had a half time talking to as they came out of the 2nd half putting Slough under pressure from the off but we still had to wait until the 54th minute before the 1st corner of the match, 1 of 3 in a row for he home side, although none proved fruitful. The game was lacking in quality and needed a spark to lighten it up and it came in the 62nd minute when CARVALHO made space for himself , then fired a lovely shot into the goal dispite Parsons sliding into block, rightly giving Kettering the lead they deserved 1-0. Slough got their first corner in the 65th minute but they were unable to create anything failing to handle the sloping pitch, strong wind and the well marshalled Kettering defence. Kettering had further chances as Weir-Daley turned and shot wide ,and then substitute Canavan hit a dipping effort from fully 35 yards, with jis first touch, but straight at keeper Grainger. Slough then saw Mpi burst through towards goal, only to be denied by a fantastic tackle from captain Mulligan, before finally forcing a save from keeper when W.Harris in the 92nd minute but the effort lacked power. 

The game finished 1-0 to Kettering  in a game that will easily be forgotten as a spectacle but the win keeps Kettering in and around the playoff places.