Culverhouse 'immensely proud' despite Kettering Town's defeat
Ian Culverhouse felt “immensely proud” of his Kettering Town players’ efforts in the dramatic 3-2 defeat at Boston United at the weekend.
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Hide AdA stormy affair was probably always on the cards with the Poppies going head-to-head with former manager Paul Cox while the local rivals are both in the hunt for a play-off place in the Vanarama National League North.
Having fallen behind to Scott Pollock’s header, Kettering fought back to lead at half-time through Callum Stead and Connor Johnson.
However, Boston staged a fightback of their own after the break with Keenan Anderson levelling before Johnson was sent-off for a second bookable offence.
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Hide AdAnd the Pilgrims won it thanks to Luke Shiels’ header nine minutes from full-time, although there was still plenty of drama to come with Kettering reduced to nine men when Gary Stohrer was controversially sent-off for a challenge on Pollock.
Both assistant-manager Paul Bastock and coach Joe Simpson were sent from the touchline for their protests but even then Kettering gave it a go with Jordon Crawford seeing a shot come back off the underside of the crossbar while Alex Brown had an effort cleared off the line.
Despite the defeat, Kettering remain in the play-off mix and Culverhouse struggled to pick fault with their efforts as a six-game unbeaten run was ended.
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Hide Ad“I thought the lads really did well to be honest,” the Poppies boss said.
“They really battled well and came out on the wrong side of the result, I thought we deserved something out of the game.
“A draw would have been a fair reflection and I am not sure I agree with some of the comments coming out of their camp that they deserved to win the game, I’m not sure on that one.
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Hide Ad“I thought we were always causing them problems on the counters and with our pace up front.
“I was gutted for the lads that we didn’t get anything but I was immensely proud of them.”
Culverhouse, meanwhile, believes there are grounds for an appeal against Stohrer’s late red card as the preparations begin for Saturday’s home clash with Guiseley.
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Hide AdWhen asked whether he felt the decision was worth appealing, the Kettering manager replied: “I think so, we are looking at it. That will be down to the club to decide on.
“I thought it was harsh at the time but, after seeing it back, I don’t know what the referee saw really. We have to get on with it and move on.”