MAUNSELL CUP FINAL
Saturday July 22nd, 3pm
Dog & Duck Stadium
KETTERING TOWN 1
Michael Richens 65
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1
Dean Bowditch 19
Kettering: Paul White, Liam Bateman, James Brighton, Gary Mulligan, Dom Langdon, Lindon Meikle, Ban Milnes, Rhys Hoenes, Nathan Hicks, Aaron O'Connor, Rene Howe
Subs: Michael Richens, Joe Meakin, Ben Baker, George Boeland, Gary Stohrer, Brett Solkhon, Munasge Sundire
Cobblers: David Cornell, Aaron Phillips, George Smith, Ash Taylor, Leon Barnett, Regan Poole, Yaser Kasim, Sam Foley, Dean Bowditch, Billy Waters, Marc Richards
Subs: Brendan Moloney, David Buchanan, Daniel Powell, Leon Lobjoit, Matt Taylor, James Goff
Referee: Mr Ian Rathbone
Booked:
Kettering: none
Cobblers: none
Sent off:
Kettering: none
Cobblers: none
The Cobblers pre-season campaign stepped up another notch on Saturday when they took on Kettering Town in the Maunsell Cup final. The game was played at The Dog and Duck Stadium on a very wet afternoon in Wellingborough.
Leon Barnett headed over following a couple of early Cobblers corners before Billy Waters twice went close, first seeing an effort blocked before being denied by Poppies goalkeeper Paul White.
The breakthrough for the Cobblers came on 19 minutes, Dean Bowditch finding the bottom corner from close range following a good run into the box and cut back from Sam Foley.
Bowditch shot wide after being played in by Marc Richards as the Cobblers looked to double their lead, Aaron Phillips also seeing a strike from distance well saved.
In to the second half and Poppies keeper Paul White again did well to tip away a powerfully struck Marc Richards free-kick from 25-yards.
Kettering drew level on 57 minutes, substitute Michael Richens chipping David Cornell with a fine effort from distance. The goal lifted the Poppies and moments later Rene Howe hooked a shot just over the bar.
Yaser Kasim created a shooting chance for Brendan Moloney as the Cobblers looked to restore their lead but the right-back’s effort went narrowly wide. Dean Bowditch then fired over under pressure.
Daniel Powell was the latest player to be denied by White on 82 minutes and Moloney struck the post late on but with neither side able to find a winner, it was down to a penalty shoot-out to decide which team would lift the Maunsell Cup. Sam Foley wouldn’t be involved though after picking up an injury in the closing stages.
PENALTIES
O'Connor (Kettering) scored 1-0
Powell (Cobblers) scored 1-1
Milnes (Kettering) scored 2-1
Richards (Cobblers) scored 2-2
Meikle (Kettering) scored 3-2
Kasim (Cobblers) scored 3-3
Richens (Kettering) scored 4-3
Bowditch (Cobblers) saved 4-3
Solkhon (Kettering) scored 5-3
Kettering won 5-3 on penalties
KETTERING MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (1) 3
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 3
CORNERS: (1) 3
FOULS: (6) 14
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (2) 8
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets)
SHOTS ON TARGET: (9) 12
SHOTS OFF TARGET: (7) 10
CORNERS: (8) 10
FOULS: (6) 10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (0) 0