(Thanks, Calis
)
August 7, 2002
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
Poppies Shoot Blanks
KETTERING-- The offense was active at Rockingham Road last night. The Poppies were aggressive and the shots were flying.
And nothing changed.
Despite a seemingly rejuvenated offensive effort that had yet to be seen in the preseason, the Poppies played the Division Three Kidderminster Harriers to a 0-0 draw Thursday night.
In a match that was much more exciting and tense than the final tally would indicate, the Poppies and Harriers tested each other's defensive mettle with 13 shots on goal, including 8 on target.
Kettering's eight shots was three more than they had accounted for in their other three friendlies combined. Likewise, in a much more wide open game, the Harriers' five shots, all on target, matched by themselves the total that Poppy keepers had faced int he previous three matches.
It was exciting from the get-go, when Kettering's starting keeper, young William Gourlay, faced down three shots in the opening 24 minutes of the match. On one play at the 17th minute, Harrier striker Matt Lewis advanced on the net line, drawing the Poppy defense in deep and pinning Gourlay to the right post of his net. Lewis turned and fired a sharp box-crossing pass to midfielder Nick Heath, charging into the box. Heath had an open shot and blasted it toward the low left corner, but Gourlay made an amazing post-to-post run to get in the way of Heath's shot and held it.
The Poppies themselves ratcheted it up a notch when they used a couple corners in the 21st minute to take pot shots at Kiddermister's keeper, Stuart Brock. Brock was forced to make three saves, including a brilliant finger save on a header by striker Carlin Itonga.
The second half did not lack for excitement either. The Poppies brought in keeper Simon Ward, competing with Gourlay for the backup spot on the first team, and he was tested immediately. He had to leap high to get his hands on a top corner shot by Lewis in the 53rd minute. He was just able to deflect it up and off the cross bar.
Near the end of the match, Kettering midfielder Davy Williamson freed himself for a run toward the left side of the box, and blasted a shot toward the low right corner that went wide of the post by mere inches.
In getting to the end of the friendly with a 0-0 draw, the Poppies pulled off the amazing feat of keeping two Divison Two and two Division Three sides from scoring in four friendlies this preseason. That notable feat may be matched, however, by the concerning offensive production, a mere two goals in the four matches altogether.
Poppy Notes
Kettering Town manager Matthew Kieta would not divulge who had won the competition for the backup goalkeeper spot, although he said a decision would come soon.
"Both William [Gourlay] and Simon [Ward] have shown that they have the ability to make it in this league," Kieta said. "Either way, we will get them both into action."
Gourlay, the 17-year-old keeper of the Poppies' U-19 squad, is considered a decent young player and perhaps the future of the team in net. Ward, a more veteran 21 years of age, is making the most of his first opportunity with a top semi-pro club.
Either way, neither is a threat to longtime starting keeper Ian Bowling, one of the team's best players.
***
Left winger Scott Goodwin, recovering from a strained ankle suffered on July 24 against Notts County, missed the Kidderminster match and is questionable for the August 17 Conference season opener against Burton Albion.
"Burton Albion is questionable right now, but we're hoping to have Scott back for Morecambe," Kieta said.
The Poppies play at Morecambe three days after the Burton Albion match.
Stefan Dancy, who is more of a midfielder than a winger, started in Goodwin's place. Dancy, however, is suspended for the Burton Albion match due to an red card infraction earlier in the preseason.
Kieta said he hadn't decided who would start at left winger against Burton Albion if Goodwin couldn't go.
***
Kieta said he and his staff are continuing to explore options for getting some depth for the squad's depleted midfield and forward crews.
"Our scout is checking out some options right now," Kieta said.
Kieta warned not to expect any quick fixes, though, as it would take a while for any newcomer to work his way into playing shape and to get used to the tactics the Poppies use.
"We're probably going to just be winging it early on," Kieta quipped to groans.
***
The Poppies' friendly fixture has been completed, with a final record of 2-2-0. The home and Conference season opener against Burton Albion is set for 3 p.m. at the Rock on August 17.