"Bucks face Poppies for a place in Step 2"

Match Date : May 5th, 2025 3:00 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central- Play Off Final
Ground : Latimer Park
Kick Off : 15:00

The Bucks face Kettering Town on Monday in the Southern League Premier Central playoff final.

Relegated alongside the Bucks in 2022/23, at one point last season it looked like the Poppies might tumble down another division. However, Richard Lavery’s arrival from Quorn in February 2023 saw Town’s form improve, and they ultimately finished nine points above the drop in 15th place.

After a brush with relegation last season, Kettering’s summer takeover by George Akhtar has seen their fortunes revive. Akthar purchased the Northamptonshire club at the start of May 2024 and has backed Lavery with a number of high-profile signings, both last summer and during the campaign.

Indeed, having revamped his squad in the summer, Lavery shook up his personnel again mid-season. Dan Jarvis, Bruno Andrade, Gary Hooper, Isiah Noel-Williams, and club stalwart Gary Stohrer were among the notable departures, while arrivals include dangerous forward Terrell Pennant and three former Bucks in the shape of Alex Gudger, Kyle Storer and Sam McLintock. The Poppies also picked up Leiston’s star man, Jamar Loza, at the end of March. Loza finished as the league’s 4th-highest scorer with 23 goals across the season, including three in his last four outings for Kettering.

While the Poppies attack has been chopped and changed, the Northamptonshire club have had consistency in defence. Keeper Dan Jezeph is protected by one of the league’s best centre backs in captain Connor Johnson, who is usually partnered by either Gudger or Lewis White, both of whom provide an uncompromising partner to Johnson. Full backs Aaron Powell and Ben Hart provide tireless workrate in the wide areas, with each having started over 40 matches for the Poppies this season.

Devon Kelly-Evans and Andi Thanoj have provided a consistent presence in the heart of the Kettering midfield, although the other parts of the midfield and attack have evolved as the season has worn on. Veteran Wes York and Tyree Wilson have featured regularly in the wide areas, while McLintock has increasingly been turned to since his February arrival. Up front Poppies can call on three of the league’s best forwards in Jonny Edwards, Nile Ranger and Loza.

Buoyed by an impressive run to the FA Cup Second Round, Lavery’s side excelled in the league before Christmas. Some patchier form in 2025, though, saw the Poppies end up in 2nd place, five points behind champions Bedford Town. Lavery’s side finished with the division’s third-best attack and fourth-best defence, giving them the best goal difference of any side.

Kettering are a hard nut to crack on their own patch, too. The Poppies had the third-best home record, with St Ives Town and Bromsgrove Sporting the only visiting teams to leave Latimer Park with all three points. But while Lavery’s side are hard to beat at home, they’ve only won three of their last 10 matches at Latimer Park (in normal time).

The Bucks came within a whisker of walking away with a win when the sides met in Northamptonshire in March, but Kai Fifield’s late leveller saw the game end in a 1-1 draw. Lavery’s side beat the Bucks 3-1 when the sides met at the SEAH Stadium in November.

Both sides head into the final on the back of sizeable unbeaten runs. The Poppies haven’t lost in 10, while Kevin Wilkin’s men are now unbeaten in 17 games. Both sides have drawn a considerable amount of matches in those runs, though, with the Bucks having drawn their last six on the road.

Kettering needed penalties to beat a resolute Harborough Town on Wednesday, following a goalless draw after extra time. While the Bucks made Monday’s final thanks to a thrilling 3-2 win over Halesowen Town. And having made it to this stage, there’s no doubt that the division’s two best-supported sides will be going all out on Monday to win promotion back to Step 2.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

This game is all ticket, and all tickets are now sold out.

All tickets to watch the final on the big screen inside the SEAH Stadium are also sold out. Again, please note that entry to the SEAH Stadium is also all ticket; no ticket, no entry.

For full details about the final, whether you are travelling to Latimer Park or heading to the SEAH Stadium, please refer to our playoff final information guide.

Website: www.ketteringtownfc.com

Ground Address: Polwell Lane, Burton Latimer, Kettering, NN15 5PS