HARSH DEFEAT FOR THE MARKETMEN

Kettering inflict a harsh 3-1 defeat on Needham Market, as the Poppies pick up successive victories, while the Marketmen suffer a second straight defeat. 

A bright start from the Marketmen (4'), Hunter was flicked into space onto the edge of the box, but droves his shot just wide of the bottom near corner.

Kettering (7') however broke the deadlock, Coyle broke into the centre, whose low shot was expertly denied by the feet of Bradbrook, falling to York who slammed home from distance.

Andoh's (11') shot was blocked by Hammond, while Myles Cowling won the hosts a penalty on 19 minutes, after being on the end of a kick to the chest.

Luke Ingram (20') stepped up, excellently rifling home his eighth league goal of the season into the bottom right-hand corner.

Edward Panter (28') restored the lead for the Poppies with his fifth goal in 8 games, after being threaded through the Needham half the striker wrapped a smart finish into the bottom left-hand corner.

Needham meanwhile did create a good opportunity on 32 minutes, Tommy Smith's clever low cross found Luke Ingram whose neat flick was comfortably held by Alexander.

The Marketmen went agonisingly close on 36 minutes, Kyle Hammond's exquisite left wing corner was pinpoint to Dan Morphew at the far post whose header back across was headed just over by Mauge.

Good hold up play from Ben Hunter, riding a foul, saw the midfielder feed Tommy Smith (43') who was thwarted by the post, the defender's thunderous strike cannoned out off the outside base of the bottom the near post.

Kyle Hammond (45'+1') dragged his low shot wide from distance, as Kettering led at the break.

Max Appauh quickly looked a threat (47'), intercepting a pass to drive through the visitors' half onto the edge of the area, only to see his clever curled strike well blocked.

Ingram (52') meanwhile had a strike following a corner deflected just wide of the near post, while Levi Andoh (55') shot wide at the far post into the side-netting after a Kettering corner.

Cowling (57') was fouled by Andoh just outside the area, Ingram's dangerous low free-kick though was fired just wide of the bottom left-hand corner.

K.Morphew (61') flicks on an excellent long free-kick towards Chambers but Alexander collects. Appauh is then threaded into the area, but again the keeper intercepts.

Joe Neal (75') saw a low driven strike tipped crucially wide by Alexander reacting fast to his left-hand side, as Dye (79') headed over from a corner.

A Needham (82') close range effort was superbly denied by Alexander, as Appauh's (84') right wing dangerously squared ball across the face of goal was vitally stabbed clear, just needing a touch.

Ex-Academy and Peterborough United loanee (88') saw an excellent low driven strike across goal cleared off the line, while Saunders (93') fired over after a parry from Alexander fell perfectly to the midfielder.#

Needham will be sratching their heads as to how they didn't get anything from the game, as Kettering (98') snatched a harsh third.

After dominating the second half the definition of a smash and grab saw Jeche weave through onto the right to fire home into the bottom far corner.

Needham host AFC Sudbury on Tuesday (7:45pm).