Poppies end Robins' run

FA Trophy second round: Ashton United 1-2 Kettering Town

Kettering turned the match around in the second half with 2 goals enough to end Ashton’s run in this season’s FA Trophy. Jacques Kpohomouh was making his debut at right back for the hosts and straight from the kick off Millenic Alli hit the outside of the post from Ben Hardcastle’s pass and a throw in then saw Ben Milnes unable to beat Greg Hartley with a low effort.

Louis almond turned inside before hitting a low effort straight at Collin and Ben Hardcastle’s cross was just cut out in time by Connor Johnson. Nine minutes before the break Ashton moved ahead as Almond picked up John Pritchard’s pass and turned inside Johnson who brought him down for a penalty which Almond himself converted. 

The second period commenced in heavy rain as Pritchard’s free kick was headed just wide by Sam Baird after Almond had been fouled and Milnes shot straight at Hartley after latching on to McGrath’s pass.

Just past the hour Alli hammered an effort over the top from Harvey Macadam’s inside pass but shortly afterwards Sherriff provided a neat finish for the equaliser as a ball dropped to him in the area and after Stephens’ deflected effort had wrong footed Hartley,  Connor Kennedy hooked home from close range following a right wing corner. 

Almond then saw a deflected effort loop up to Brad Lynch whose header was just clawed away by Collin and the hosts’ last chance to level came right on time as Johnson helped Alli’s cross out for another corner which saw Alli’s effort cleared off the line.

Picture by John Porter