Poppies return to top of table

Kettering Town returned to the top of the Evo-Stik Southern Central Division One after a 2-1 victory over struggling opponents Beaconsfield SYCOB.

The Poppies battled hard to pick up three points at a freezing Latimer Park, after not having played since their 2-2 draw with fellow title contenders Aylesbury over three weeks ago.

An early goal from Andy Hall and one 12 seconds into the second half from Dubi Ogbonna proved to be too much for the Rams.

The visitors had the first real chance of the game, with Tom Grant’s free-kick being poorly cleared, before Kurtney Brooks attempt was deflected over by Poppies midfielder Brett Solkhon.

Ogbonna allowed team-mate Hall to get on the score sheet in the 29^th minute, providing a through ball to the unmarked winger who tucked the ball past the helpless Brendan Hackett.

The Poppies came close to doubling their lead just a few minutes later, with Elliot Sandy’s back-heeled pass finding Ogbonna who forced Hackett into making a save.

The Rams managed to find their way back into the game just before the half-time whistle through a wonderful strike from Ollie Jones. Brooks found the midfielder on the edge of the box, allowing him to unleash a half-volley into the top corner.

Ogbonna got the goal that he deserved as soon as the second half went underway, finishing calmly into the far corner.

The Luton Town target went close to getting a second after the hour mark, with a fantastic ball from Hoban finding the forward. Hackett managed to parry the first effort but the follow-up effort had to be cleared off of the line.

The Poppies' next game sees them travel to Potters Bar Town on Saturday afternoon, with the aim of staying at the top of the table.

Attendance 401

Mayor of Kettering opens new enquiries desk

The Mayor of Kettering has officially opened Northamptonshire Police’s new enquires desk at Kettering Borough Council’s headquarters.

Superintendent Andy Cox also joined the Mayor, Councillor Duncan Bain, at the facility’s opening, with the headquarters located at Bowling Green Road.

Councillor Bain stated: "We now have a centre here for all kinds of things. We've got things like blood testing services and council services, so it makes sense to have the police here too. It's a win-win situation.”

It was announced in December 2014 by the police there were plans in place to relocate the front desk to the neighbouring council building from the Kettering police station.

The main aim of the relocation is to improve the force’s visibility in the town in relation with the police’s Futures Programme, which was created to ensure policing was at the core of the community in Kettering.

Supt Cox stated: "There was a bit of a sterile feeling around the old front desk at the police station and it wasn't particularly user friendly.

"Here, the footfall is much greater. Even though we were in the town centre previously, we're finding that we're far more accessible and more people are coming to see us."

A select few of police staff have been shifted to the council’s headquarters as a result of the relocation, however, Kettering Police Station will continue as a functioning centre for police officers and support staffs, which mean no changes will take place there.

A move comparable to this took place in Northampton in February 2014, when the public enquiry desk was relocated to Northampton Borough Council’s One Stop Shop at the Guildhall from Campbell Square.

Talking about the upsides of relocating to a more predominant site, as well as functioning with the council, the District Commander for Northampton, Supt Mike Stamper, stated: “Since moving our front desk to the Guildhall, we've seen an increase in the number of visitors and people have told us they would have been unlikely to visit a police station, but feel much more comfortable going to a multi-agency building.

“I’m really encouraged by the positive response we've had and believe the move has proved we can provide a quality service to the public without being based in a traditional police station.”

By Matt Hamblin

Saints sign Samoan full-back Tuala

Ahsee Tuala. Image here.

Northampton Saints have signed Samoan full-back Ahsee Tuala until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old will help cover for the loss of England international Ben Foden, who suffered a knee injury earlier on in this campaign that will keep him side-lined until next season.

Tuala has made one international cap for Samoa, and has played 51 games for former New Zealand club, Counties Manuaku.

Saints Director of Rugby Jim Mallinder said: "Ahsee is a quality player who can play in a number of positions.

“And he is well known to our other Samoan internationals, who will no doubt help him fit into the culture here at Northampton and the way we do things.

“Ben Foden’s unfortunate injury means that we need cover at full-back ahead of what is a challenging few months for us."

Northampton Saints next game sees them entertain London Irish on February 13.

By Daryl Greenland

Why should we care about the FA Cup?

by Joe Shine

In recent years, football fans have been claiming that the FA Cup has lost its magic but the Cup is always managing to prove the doubters wrong.

Some may argue that the FA Cup is boring now due to it being dominated by the Premier League teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal.

However, Saturday 24th January 2015 will go down as one of the greatest days in FA Cup history.

A day, which showed the real magic that the FA Cup can produce as the lower-league teams came out triumphant amongst the Premier League giants. 

Bradford came back from 2-0 down to beat Chelsea 4-2, Middlesbrough calmly beat Manchester City 0-2 and Blackburn Rovers saw off Swansea 3-1.

This year’s fourth round saw the top three Premier League teams all get knocked out in ninety minutes for the first time since 1997 and only ten top-flight teams remain.

But it isn’t just this year that we have seen the magic of the FA Cup, it happens almost every year.

Just two years ago, Wigan Athletic shocked the nation when Ben Watson headed a late winner in the final against Manchester City despite getting relegated that season.

It is brilliant how unpredictable the FA Cup is, and it shows that anything can happen in a game of football.

When someone’s team gets kicked out of the FA Cup, we hear the same excuses: ‘it’s a rubbish cup anyway’, ‘we needed to concentrate on the league’ we have heard them all.

Deep down though, we all want our team to win the FA Cup, there is no better feeling than having your team win a cup; no matter who it is against.

So why do people play down the FA Cup? It starts with the managers of the Premier League teams.

In 1999, Sir Alex Ferguson withdrew his Manchester United side from the cup due to their so-called busy fixture list in order for them to take part in the World Club Championship.

Furthermore, just this year, Newcastle caretaker boss Joel Carver fielded a very weakened side against Leicester City in the third round and lost 1-0 despite having nothing to lose.

This does not set a good example at all and quite frankly is a bit insulting to England’s most prestigious domestic cup.

Budweiser is not renewing it’s sponsorship contract with the FA Cup as they claim that the FA is charging too much for it.

How are the public supposed to take the cup seriously if the managers don't? No wonder nobody is willing to sponsor it.

Despite it not being as unpredictable and magical as it was in the past, the FA Cup still offers a chance for the smaller teams to be in the limelight, and with BBC recently getting licensing rights, it has become even more possible to do this.

If we don’t all start taking the FA Cup more seriously then we risk losing it and that will be a very sad day for English football.