Kettering 3 Morecambe 2

Last updated : 14 September 2002 By Footymad Previewer

Kettering Town secured their first win back in the Conference at the eighth attempt in this five-goal thriller at Rockingham Road.

But the match was spoiled by some poor refereeing which led to two sendings-off and a total of seven bookings.

Morecambe looked the livelier side in the opening exchanges and should really have had the points wrapped up during that spell of dominance.

Wayne Curtis needed only 14 minutes to grab his seventh goal of the season with a tidy finish from Ryan-Zico Black's precise through pass.

And three minutes later Stewart Drummond should have made it 2-0 when he somehow screwed an effort wide of a gaping target after Curtis skilfully did the spadework.

Kettering re-grouped and deservedly equalised in the 38th minute when Niall Inman reacted quickest to bury a loose ball after his initial attempt rebounded off keeper Craig Mawson.

But the real fireworks were saved for the second half as red and yellow cards were dispensed with alacrity by referee Bratt.

Kettering's skipper Craig Norman was first to go after bringing down Black when the whistle had already gone on an earlier infringement. But his dismissal seemed to galvanise the home side into action and within three minutes they were in front.

Gez Murphy's strength took him clear to tee-up Scott Goodwin for a shot which Mawson parried. But Murphy found the net from a tight angle from the rebound.

Morecambe, however, drew level within two minutes with a spectacular 30-yard drive from Lee Elam, which gave Ian Bowlnig no chance as it nestled into the top corner.

Morecambe's Keith Hill also went for an early bath after pulling back Murphy when he was clear on goal.

Mawson kept Morecambe in the game with two excellent saves from Dale Watkins and substitute Richard Butcher.

But with five minutes left Lee Howarth finally beat him by rising to meet Goodwin's right wing corner with a firm header.

"The win has been a long time coming," said a relieved Poppies boss Carl Shutt.

"But even when we went behind and then they scored with that screamer of a goal, we never let our heads drop. Hopefully this will now kick-start our season."


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