Poppies suffer more away day woe as they are narrowly beaten at Anstey Nomads

Kettering Town’s recent woes on the road continued on Tuesday night when they were beaten 1-0 at Anstey Nomads in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central.

Against the backdrop of tense off-field events, the Poppies went into the game with a threadbare lineup due to the suspensions of skipper Lawson D’Ath, Ismael Fatadjo and Will van Lier.

They also fielded two substitutes, including the injured Ryan Haynes, who were never likely to feature.

From minute one, the physical hosts set out their stall with impressive energy levels to harass any Kettering player on the ball or to reach the final third while counter attacking.

Eddie Panter’s shot on nine minutes was well blocked inside the box in one of the visitors’ rare efforts towards goal with the Nomads picking up the majority of Kettering’s long ball attacks with ease.

They took the lead on 21 minutes when what look liked a chip shot from the edge of the area left Paul White stranded at his near post, and Harvey Kirby-Moore was all alone at the back post to finish.

White was tested several more times by deep crosses and a tight angled effort from Kirby-Moore on 35 minutes.

A drab first half was closed out by Kettering’s first effort on target - a free-kick on the edge of the area that was taken by Jaiden White, but it was well defended by the Anstey wall and the ball trickled into the hands of Harley Price.

The opening period of the second half didn’t increase the excitement levels as the hosts continued to challenge and win every 50/50 ball.

Panter manged to hit the target with a free kick from 20 yards, but it was another comfortable save for Price, while Kirby-Moore again forced White into action with a shot towards the near post that was turned away.

Anstey should have doubled their lead when a ball that flashed across goal needed just the merest of touches from Courey Grantham to turn into the net.

Poppies debutant Peter Abimbola, who has joined on Bedford Town, had a chance to level with the ball bouncing around the box, but he too couldn’t get the touch needed from just yards out.

On 70 minutes came the biggest talking point of the match.

Panter latched onto an umpteenth long ball and was clear of defender Jordan Annable with no immediate covering red shirt in sight.

Annable bought Panter down on the white line of the penalty area with the Kettering striker well in position to score.

After much debate between players and officials, referee Michael Pattison decided that neither a penalty should be awarded nor a red card shown, much to the exasperation of both Kettering players and fans.

By now the Poppies had worked up a bit of momentum, but Anstey used the dark arts to the best of the abilities to slow the game down.

Panter put in a low cross on 80 minutes with no one inside the area and a mele close from goal saw Theo Alexandra pulled back by his collar, but again no decision was given.

Harvey Peters put in a classic last ditch block to keep Fletcher Poole’s shot from hitting the target.

A disappointing evening showed just how valuable the midfield duo of D’ath and Fatadjo are to the side in terms of creativity and calmness.

It also highlights that Kettering still are unable to adapt their style of play against strong, physical sides.

Despite the defeat, the Poppies stay fourth in the table, but they are now 10 points adrift of leaders Real Bedford who were 4-1 winners at Leiston.

The league is put to one side on Saturday as the Poppies travel to National League South strugglers Braintree in the FA Trophy.