Blues fall to Poppies defeat

Dunstable Town were well beaten at play-off chasing Kettering Town on Thursday night.

Playing their third game in just six days, the Blues were under the cosh early on, falling 2-0 behind with just 10 minutes gone as David Popa scored both, netting a free header and low drive past Bart Pedrycz.

Dunstable tried to mount a comeback, with Chris Vardy shooting over, while James Kaloczi had a header easily saved.

Blues boss Tony Fontenelle’s half time team talk clearly galvanised his side though as they began brightly and reduced the deficit on 54 minutes when Mark Smith found Chris Vardy who netted.

Striker Jonathan Edwards came close to an equaliser after a forceful run, while Vardy, buoyed by his goal, threatened another too.

Lee Roache came off the bench to pep up Dunstable’s attack, but Kettering started to get their second wind and secured all three points with six minutes left, as Brett Solkhon scored from close range.

Dunstable are back at home on Saturday, for their fourth game in a week, hosting Cirencester Town.

Kettering: Craig Hill, Liam Bateman, Dominic Langdon, Brett Solkhon, Gary Mulligan (Chris Carruthers), Herve Pepe-Ngoma, Wilson Carvalho (Ben Stephens) Liam Canavan (Will Grocott), Rene Howe, David Popa, James Brighton.

Subs not used: Perry Cotton, Silvano Obeng.

Dunstable: Bartolomiej Pedrycz, Howard Hall, Gedeon Okito (Zack Reynolds), David Longe-King, James Kaloczi (Anthony Leslie), Adam Pepera, Mark Smith, Gary Wharton, Jonathan Edwards, Steve Wales (Lee Roache), Chris Vardy.

Subs not used: Jonathan Wyllie, Danny Talbot.

Attendance: 470.