Hanwell Town 0 - Kettering Town 1

ELLIOT Sandy scored the only goal of the game to maintain Kettering Town’s lead at the top of the league in a 1-0 victory at Hanwell Town.

The Poppies’ win gives them a ten-point lead over both Aylesbury and Hanwell who are placed third and fourth in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One.

Second placed Bedworth United also won today meaning that the difference between them and Kettering stays at five points.

Kettering started the game well but it was half an hour into the game when the first chance came through Dubi Ogbonna who forced Hanwell goalkeeper Alex Tokarczyk to make a good reflex save.

Hanwell also had a close chance not long after with Billy Adcock and Bill Healey both having efforts blocked during a goalmouth scramble.

The last chance of the half came from Kettering when David Kolodynski burst down the pitch but Tommy Hull smashed it wide when the ball fell to him.

The Poppies started the second half strongly when Sandy held the ball up for James Clifton who got into the box but hit it over the bar.

Kettering’s goal came in the 52^nd minute as Ogbonna gave it to Sandy who finished well from close-range.

After the goal, The Poppies dominated play and Ogbonna’s shot forced Tokarczyk to tip the ball over before substitute Andy Hall seized upon a defensive error from Kyle Waton but his effort was deflected just wide.

Hall had a great chance to finish off the game but blasted it wide after beating Tokarczyk to the ball.

The hosts caused a couple of problems in the dying minutes but The Poppies defended well and saw the game off to seal yet another crucial victory.

By Joe Shine