Poppies made to work hard for sixth victory on trot
STRATFORD Town slipped to their third defeat of the season as Southern League Premier Central leaders Kettering Town made it six wins from six at the Arden Garages Stadium on Saturday.
Goals from Ben Milne, Gary Stohrer and Dion Kelly-Evans led the Poppies to a 3-1 success, but the visitors were made to work hard for the three points thanks to a dogged second-half performance from Darren Byfield's side.
After a relatively quiet start, Milne got the sizeable travelling support off their feet when his 25-yard strike got the better of Town goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan.
However, the lead lasted less than two minutes when Poppies stopper Paul White was caught out of position, his mistake allowing the ever-persistent Mike Taylor to slot home.
Town went close to a second on 32 minutes when former Poppy Wilson Carvalho darted forward, played a lovely one-two with Taylor, only to frustratingly fire over with just White to beat.
Kettering looked the better of the sides though and six minutes before half-time Rhys Hoeness saw his volley well saved by Vaughan after a near-perfect cross by Milnes.
Marcus Law's side did regain their lead on the stroke of half-time when Stohrer turned past two Town defenders before unleashing a low, curling shot past Vaughan, who appeared to be hindered by an existing groin injury.
The second half saw the Poppies begin with plenty of intent, going close through Milnes and Andrea Borg, before they made it 3-1 in the 55th minute.
A deep cross from Rhys Hoeness was headed back in the danger area by substitute Brett Solkhon and it was met by a peach of a volley from Kelly-Evans.
Kelly-Evans then turned from hero to villain just minutes later when a rash challenge on Will Grocott saw him given a straight red card.
The former Coventry City youngster got the ball, but he went in with his studs raised and gave referee Scott Chalkley little choice but to send him off.
With the visitors reduced to ten men, Stratford enjoyed plenty of possession and territory, but White was rarely tested and the Poppies saw it out to continue their perfect start.
Stratford Town: Nathan Vaughan (James Behan 56), Lewis Wilson, Albi Skendi, James Fry (c), Jamie McAteer, Will Grocott, Wilson Carvalho, Claudio Dias, Mike Taylor (Kevin Monteiro 56), Edwin Ahenkorah (Cody Fisher 56), Nabil Shariff. Subs not used: Eli Bako, Jordan Williams.
Kettering Town: Paul White, Durell Berry, Gary Stohrer, Michael Richens, Ben Milnes (Ben Toseland 75), Rhys Hoeness, Dion Kelly-Evans, Marcus Kelly, Declan Towers (Brett Solkhon 46), Andrea Borg (Matty Foy 64), Lathaniel Rowe-Turner. Subs not used: Ben Toseland, Richard Lavery, Jahvan Davidson-Miller.
