Kettering Town hit top spot in the Evo-Stik League South Premier Division Central after a stunning late fightback saw them beat title rivals Stourbridge 2-1 at the War Memorial Ground.
Tom Knowles, who joined the Poppies on loan from Cambridge United last week, was the unlikely hero as his fine stoppage-time free-kick secured the dramatic finish to send Marcus Law’s team two points clear at the summit with two games in hand.
In front of a bumper crowd of 1,734, A goalless first half saw Dan Holman rattle the crossbar for Kettering while Leon Broadhurst went close for Stourbridge as he was just unable to get on the end of a cross. The Poppies were dealt a blow when Aaron O’Connor was withdrawn due to injury while Declan Towers was also forced off at half-time with Adam Cunnington and Brett Solkhon replacing them respectively.
It was Stourbridge who opened the scoring with 14 minutes remaining when Broadhurst was on hand to score after Paul White fumbled a cross. But the Poppies produced a fine comeback, which was started when Solkhon finished off a Marcus Kelly shot across goal in the 86th minute. And just when it seemed honours would end even, Kettering were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal and Knowles stepped up and found the top corner to send the travelling fans into raptures.
Read more at: Jon Dunham Northants Telegraph _ Local football Coverage
