Poppies’ promotion dream dies as Real Bedford show their class to win play-off semi-final

The 3-1 scoreline does not in anyway flatter the Bedfordshire side, who showed their potential to step up another level.

As for the Poppies, their final was last weekend after securing a play-off place at Bury Town.

Worryingly, frustratingly, alarmingly, all but two of the Kettering player froze in the biggest match of the season, and as a collective played like they had never met each other before.

Goalkeeper Paul White once again kept the scoreline down, while Andi Thanoj was the only bright spark in the midfield.

Giving away a goal within 30 seconds also doesn't help!

And when Josh Setchell fired home after an initial shot was parried into the path of the midfielder moments after the match had started, Kettering's plans were immediately torn apart.

The visitors were unable to compose themselves, forcing attacks that were frankly fancifiul and fluffing their lines when under pressure in the middle of the field.

Carl Mensah put two Lewis Coyle corners over the bar on 12 and 25 minutes whilst Blaine Rowe opted to shoot from a tight angle on 15 minutes when a pass across the face of goal was the better options.

White was the busier of the keepers, denying Connor Tee twice - first a cross-come-shot on 13 minutes needed to be tipped over.

The better of the saves came on 29 minutes when Tee headed a brilliant cross from point-blank range, only for White's body to keep the ball out before it was hacked away off the line.

Thanoj did go close with a speculative shot on 37 minutes, but it flew just wide of the post, and once again Kettering were unable to register a shot on target in the first half - a trait which has blighted them a lot this season.

Any thoughts of a positive second half were quickly dashed.

Four minutes in and Real went two goals up after Setchell sent in a whipped cross into the six yard box and Tee grabbed the opportunity, heading home beyond White.

Bedford should have put the game to bed on the hour mark when Blaine Rowe up ended Tee in the area for the easiest penalty decision of the season.

But Josh Allen tried to be too cute with the penalty and side footed it straight at White who tipped round the post.

Momentum continued to shift and eight minutes later Kettering were back in the game.

Will van Lier bravely passed out to the left of the area before having his feet taken out under him and Eddie Panter was on hand to lash home his first real opportunity into the bottom corner.

But the renewed hope lasted only a handful of minutes when Kettering were undone by a cross towards the near post, four blue shirts couldn't clear the danger and Sam Cartwright bundled home just yards out.

Ben Weyman saw his fierce shot well saved by White on 82 minutes as the wind was well and truly in the Pirates sails, and it was simply a matter of waiting for the final whistle to go and signal the end of Kettering's season.

Real Bedford will now travel to Spalding United on Monday to see who takes the final place in the National League North next season.

For Kettering, it's two play-off opportunities missed in two seasons.

But if the core of the squad, along with manager Liam McDonald, can be retained, there's no reason why it can't be third time lucky in 12 months’ time.