New faces show positive signs as Poppies draw with Luton Town youngsters

For the first time in many a season, fans had some prior knowledge of the players on show and not the frustration of watching the sons of a delighted Mr and Mrs A. Trialist.

Tom Leak, who was the first new signing of the season, took over the captain's armband and immediately looked comfortable with the responsibility, while the towering 6ft 5in Bayley Brown made an instant impact against the youthful opposition who simply couldn't cope with him in the air.

The first chance fell to another former St Albans City player Shaun Jeffers, who nodded over on 17 minutes.

Minutes later Eddie Panter also blasted over as the hosts settled the better.

The highly anticipated strike partnership had their best link up just before the half hour mark when Panter bravely slid the ball back across the face of goal but Jeffers couldn't quite get to the pass as it was hacked clear.

Kettering did finally take the lead through Brown on 35 minutes - the ball finding him on the right and he deftly nodded over the stranded Luton keeper.

A swathe of changes were made at half time and the visitors hit back straight after the restart when Dawid Gawel was on hand to blast his shot from a tight angle.

Former Cobbler Lawson D'ath had a strong first showing in a red shirt whilst former St Ives Town midfielder Theo Alexandrou was kept out with a fine save on 65 minutes.

Luton very nearly snatched a late winner but first the post and then crossbar came to Kettering's aid.

There was a lot of understandable concern regarding the pitch which looked horrendous.

The installation of new floodlights isn't helping, with huge ditches and tyre tracks scaring the perimeter, while the main surface will need almost a 24 hour water watch if it is going to be in a worthy state, befitting of a club like Kettering that is clearly putting together an ambitious side for the coming season.

Another, not so new face, Aaron Powell has returned to the club that gave him ‘great’ FA Cup memories 12 months ago - admitting that another promotion challenge is on his agenda.

"I do genuinely believe that we can go up this year, otherwise I wouldn't have even thought about coming to the club,” said Powell.

"With the faces we have in here now, and the manager, I do really feel we'll be up there."

"I know what the club's about, there's good people here. When I heard there was an opportunity to come back it was a no brainer."

Last season, Powell was part of National League North side Peterborough Sports that were relegated, 13 points from safety.

They are now are back in the same division as the Poppies, and the 23-year-old believes that being on the right side of results this term will help regain his enjoyment for the game.

"I wouldn't say I wasn't enjoying it (last season) but obviously when you're not winning every week and your the wrong side of the table it is difficult to do enjoy it," admitted Powell.

"Now I just want the same as I wanted last time I was here - a good, consistent amount of games and more importantly just to enjoy football again. I think when you play your best football you're enjoying it."

Kettering's next pre-season fixture is at Latimer Park on Friday night (ko 7.30pm) when Wellingborough Town make the short trip up the A6.