Forsyth rues missed opportunity as Banbury frustrate play-off chasing Poppies
Skipper George Forsyth spoke of his ‘disappointment’ as Kettering Town missed the chance to move into the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central play-off places on Tuesday night.
A win would have seen the Poppies rise up to fifth in the table, but instead they were left frustrated as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Kelvin Langmead’s Puritans.
Liam McDonald’s side are still in a very good place as they sit seventh, just two points behind fifth-placed Quorn and fourth-placed Halesowen, and they have a game in hand on both of those clubs.
But Forsyth was left to rue what he felt was a missed opportunity.
“We are disappointed as it was a chance to move into the play-offs,” the skipper told Kettering Town’s YouTube channel. “We have worked so hard to get there and we have let it go a little bit there.
“There were opportunities, especially in the second half, but we never really got going despite little spells here and there.
“It was difficult in the conditions, and I thought in the first half we did really well when the weather was heavy on us.
“Then, with 20 minutes to go it has probably changed again, back on us, so we have played nearly 60 or 70 minutes with the wind against and it was harsh, but we have to do more and there are no excuses.
“Banbury are a good side, they are a tough team to play against and they are very strong defensively.
“The disappointment comes from ourselves because we have worked so hard to get ourselves into this position and have not taken a chance, but we have to keep working and we will now get ready for Saturday.”
Kettering did have one golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the first half, but in-form striker Eddie Panter fluffed his lines from the penalty spot as his effort was saved.
“No blame can be put on Pants, he has been phenomenal for us,” said Forsyth.
“It happens, and it always felt that if there was going to be a goal then it would be a one-goal game, where somebody nicks it.
“With the conditions it was always going to be difficult to create chances, and we never built the momentum in the game.”
Kettering are back on the road on Saturday when they go to third-from-bottom Barwell.
Elsewhere, Quorn go to Stratford and Halesowen travel to third-placed Real Bedford.