Shootout win keeps Kettering promotion hopes alive

Goalkeeper Dan Jezeph celebrates after saving a Harborough penalty in the shootout

Two clubs, just 12 miles apart, both made headlines this season by reaching the FA Cup second round.

But on Wednesday night it was Kettering Town who came out on top against Harborough Town in the most dramatic of circumstances to keep their Southern League Premier Central play-off hopes alive.

The Poppies won 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw, despite failing to score with either of their first two spot-kicks, and will now host AFC Telford United in the play-off final on Monday, May 5 (15:00 BST) with a place in the National League North or South next season at stake.

"I didn't watch it - I had my back turned. I did see one go in [but that's all]," Kettering manager Richard Lavery told BBC Radio Northampton.

"We did practice penalties but that was in front of no crowd. This was a big occasion, nearly 3,000 fans, and nobody in that entire ground - Harborough fans included - can say we didn't deserve to win that game.

"We had plenty of chances and you've got to take one of them - it wasn't to be. Extra time we had a few more chances, then it goes to penalties and the first ones weren't great, we missed a couple, but it doesn't matter - we're through to the final."

Kettering, who knocked out League One neighbours Northampton Town in the first round of the FA Cup, had home advantage at Latimer Park by virtue of finishing second in Southern League Premier Central.

But their opponents were boosted by the return of former Tottenham and Brazil midfielder Sandro, who appeared for Harborough in their 5-3 FA Cup defeat by Reading after a chance meeting with manager Mitch Austin.

Sandro came out of retirement to play for Harborough in the FA Cup

It proved to be an unhappy evening for the 36-year-old who was one of four Bees players who failed to score in the shootout.

"It was amazing to be here with the boys. We need to be proud of ourselves because they gave 100%. Penalties, it's unlucky," Sandro told BBC Radio Leicester.

Asked why he had returned for the play-offs, the Brazilian said: "We created a very good connection. It was amazing to be part of the FA Cup game and I said 'let me be involved again'. For me it was a dream to come here and play in front of the fans again."

The score was 3-3 when Sandro stepped up for his penalty, but he shot wide and Connor Johnson eventually settled the tie with Kettering's seventh spot-kick.

"I didn't feel the pressure, I just tried to put it in the corner and it was a little bit out. I'm not good on penalties. But it will always be in my heart, this experience," he added.

Kettering are hoping to return to the second tier of non-league football for the first time since being relegated in 2023, but face tough opposition in Telford who went through by beating Halesowen 3-2.

Lavery was assistant to Marcus Law the last time Kettering won promotion to National League North in 2019.

He returned to the club in February last year as their third manager in four months and his appointment was followed three months later by the arrival of the ambitious George Akhtar as Kettering's new owner.

They took four points from their two games against Telford in the regular season, but Lavery is taking nothing for granted before Monday's game, also at Latimer Park.

"Telford are a good side - I don't underestimate anybody. That was a tough one [against Harborough], but we'll regroup again. We've got one more game to go - nothing's won yet," he added.