Leighton try to claw back points with two second half goals

Kettering and despite missing three players on the night Town gave a battling display against a team who must now be favourites to win the Central Division Title this year.

With a cold wind blowing across the pitch in Kettering’s favour, Town took a while to settle and in the 12th minute Moreman broke away quickly but his cross was just too far in front of Sandy. Leighton replied when Aaron Morgan found Claude Seanla but from a good position he totally miscued hi shot.

Kettering had the ball in the net twice in the 22nd and 23rd minutes but both were correctly disallowed for offside. In the 37thminute Oualah in the Town goal made an excellent block to foil Moreman who then struck the loose ball off target.

Town’s hopes of reaching half time on level terms were dashed in the 41st minute when following a corner Robbie Goodman was penalised for a high footed challenge on Kettering full back Clifton. After the usual protests Ogbonna coolly converted the spot kick to put Kettering in front.

The second half started at a slower tempo but Leighton had plenty of the ball but then found themselves trailing by two goals after some clever work by Moreman created a chance which was initially saved by Zaki Oualah but Sandy was on hand to drive the loose ball into the net from close range.

Three minutes after the goal Leighton won a free kick on the edge of the Kettering penalty area but Aaron Morgan’s superb free kick was turned around the post by home keeper Knight.

Leighton kept pushing to get back into the game and in the 67th minute the referee awarded Town a penalty when Ash Farmer’s attempted cross struck the arm of Clifton from close range. Danny Watson easily converted the spot kick to give Town fresh hope.

Town created a great chance in the 81st minute when following a Kettering corner they broke from defence at pace and Danny Watson fed Claude Seanla but his effort was blocked at the expense of a corner. Zaki Oualah then had to produce a good save at the other end to deny Elliott Sandy as the hosts launched another attack.

In the 88th minute Kettering restored their 2 goal advantage following a free kick on the halfway line which was driven to Andy Hall and the winger ran on before driving a low shot across Oualah and into the far side of the net.

Leighton returned to the attack and in the first minute of added time they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and Morgan made no mistake with his effort was cleverly curled over the wall and into the net.

Despite missing Christian Lester, Tyrone Taylor and Phil Draycott this was a good performance by Town and even when they were two goals down they still maintained their discipline and effort and will be hoping for a similar level of performance when they travel to Barton for the local derby on Saturday.

TEAM: Oualah, M.Lyon, Ridgway, Goodman, Rajaram, Crook, Bunker, Morgan, Seanla, Watson, Forrester.

Subs: Murphy ( 70 Crook). Farmer (55 min Forrester), GK- Green not used.

Att 448.

By Roy Parker