City lose to Kettering

John Askey didn't get the dream start as York City manager with a defeat to Kettering at the LNER Community Stadium. 

Paul's Cox's side took the lead with a trademark long throw which wasn't dealt with by the City defense and arrowed into the bottom corner by Connor Kennedy on just 5 minutes.

The direct play continued to cause problems, this time Kennedy slicing over the crossbar after receiving the ball on the edge following a throw from the right.

Mackenzie Heaney nearly levelled the score on 25 minutes, turning onto his left and curling from the edge towards goal - only denied by goalkeeper Rhys Davies who produced a stunning diving save.

But things got worse for City as Kettering added a second through Gerry McDonough who fired past Pete Jameson from the edge after a ball from the right was cleared as far as the Poppies forward.

Sean Newton looked to force a comeback for City as the captain blasted into the right corner from the spot just a minute later.

The centre half then nearly grabbed the equaliser just before half time, latching onto Heaney's curled free kick into the box but angling the ball wide of the mark.

Clayton Donaldson had the golden opportunity in the second half, breaking free down the left and cutting into the box only for the woodwork to deny his effort - agonisingly close for what would have certainly secured his side a point.

But the damage was done in the first half and Kettering walked away with the honours. City now drop to 12th without a win in three.

Next up is the Buildbase FA Trophy tie against Blyth Spartans back at the LNER Community Stadium (3:00pm kick-off).

 

York City: Jameson; Senior, Brown, Newton, Hancox; Hopper (Beck 65), Wright, McLaughlin; Heaney, Donaldson, Willoughby (Gilchrist 79)

Subs not used: Campbell, Barrow, Wallace

 

Kettering Town: Davies; Barrett, O’Neil, Johnson, Smith, Sharpe; Kennedy, Sherif, Neal; Powell (Crawford 90), McDonagh

Subs not used: Stohrer, Ward, Ofosu, Perry

 

Attendance: 2,616

Referee: Claudio Gavillucci

Waitrose Man of the Match (as chosen by HAL Consultants): Kurt Willoughby