New-look Kettering Town enjoy a winning start

The Poppies booked themselves a spot in the next stage of the Emirates FA Cup
Decarrey Sheriff scores from the penalty spot to secure Kettering Town's 2-0 win over Chelmsford City. Pictures by Peter ShortDecarrey Sheriff scores from the penalty spot to secure Kettering Town's 2-0 win over Chelmsford City. Pictures by Peter Short
Decarrey Sheriff scores from the penalty spot to secure Kettering Town's 2-0 win over Chelmsford City. Pictures by Peter Short

Paul Cox’s new-look Kettering Town got off to the perfect start as they booked their place in the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 2-0 success over Chelmsford City at an eerily quiet Latimer Park.

After a strange few months, competitive football has returned and this battle between National League North and South deservedly went the way of the former.

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The Poppies were everything you’d expect from a Paul Cox team with the summer arrivals quickly buying into his demands.

Lorne Bickley celebrates after his first goal for the Poppies opened the scoring at Latimer ParkLorne Bickley celebrates after his first goal for the Poppies opened the scoring at Latimer Park
Lorne Bickley celebrates after his first goal for the Poppies opened the scoring at Latimer Park

And the manager was pleased with what he saw.

“I thought we played on the front foot, we looked as though we had lots of energy,” the Poppies boss said.

“We did a lot of homework on them, we looked at a lot of video footage from their pre-season and we knew they would be a good footballing side who, if you give them time and space, will hurt you.

“We probably should have scored more goals if I am honest and a bit of anxiety crept in during the second half.

Decarrey Sheriff celebrates in style after scoring from the penalty spotDecarrey Sheriff celebrates in style after scoring from the penalty spot
Decarrey Sheriff celebrates in style after scoring from the penalty spot
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“We got a bit erratic with the ball and lost our shape for five minutes but we looked solid, even in those periods.

“It was a good start from the boys. There’s a million and one things we can get better at but to start as we have against a good side at the same level of football, I have got to be pleased with the way the boys have gone about their business.”

From the start, the Poppies were aggressive, they were powerful but, above all, they were solid as a clean sheet laid the foundations for them.

At the top end of the pitch, a front four of Josh Scott, signed on loan from Mansfield Town on the eve of the season, Sam Jones, Lorne Bickley and Decarrey Sheriff didn’t give the visiting defence a moment of rest with their high press.

Adam Collin's fine late save preserved a clean sheet for KetteringAdam Collin's fine late save preserved a clean sheet for Kettering
Adam Collin's fine late save preserved a clean sheet for Kettering
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Bickley fired just over early on and Kettering continued to look the more likely to open the scoring before they did just before half-time.

Sheriff’s jinking run on the right ended with his cross finding its way to Connor Kennedy and his shot was deflected in by summer arrival Bickley.

The Poppies, as you’d expect, had to hang in there at times in the second half as Chelmsford hunted an equaliser.

They came close when Michael Spillane’s header left Adam Collin rooted to the spot and drifted just wide of the far post.

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But Kettering struck a hammer blow 11 minutes from the end when Sheriff was flattened by visiting goalkeeper Lee Worgan in the area and the forward duly picked himself up and sent the stopper the wrong way from 12 yards.

Chelmsford kept going and Collin showed what he brings to the table with a stunning late save to preserve the clean sheet.

The only real downside to the day was the lack of supporters inside the ground.

For the time being, in these strange times, that’s the way it has to be but cheers could be heard from the clubhouse with supporters watching a livestream inside.

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And Cox added: “It really put a smile on my face seeing the fans leaning out the clubhouse windows and clapping us off the pitch.

“Since I have been at the club, they have backed us 100 per cent.

“It seemed like a pre-season friendly when we came out on the pitch and I will continuously say that the game is nothing without the supporters.

“It’s a disadvantage for us when they aren’t there but I think we did them proud and hopefully we can carry on this form into Tuesday (in the league at Gloucester City) night and put another good performance in."