After reacquainting ourselves with Kettering for our first league meeting since 2018, as much as we enjoyed the unexpected win (by an unexpected margin), no-one had any illusions about this encounter in the FA Cup. This prestigious competition never tires of throwing up surprises and thwarting expectations.

As I arrived at Top field so did television pundit and ex Arsenal player Martin Keown, here to do some television coverage of the match and I was pleased to speak to him. I also had a chance to talk to both managers – and Andy Leese I remember well from his days at Chesham, and he was manager there when they had a memorable run in this competition, defeating Football League opposition. Of course, neither manager was giving anything away except that this game would be very different from the Tuesday game.

Much was anticipated and the game began with a probing move from the Poppies involving careful passing. These first few minutes saw Hitchin restricted to their own half and a first corner from them was of negligible worth. Hitchin tried to get forward, but it was proving to be difficult, with play seeming to be cautious.

The first chance for Hitchin came from a forward pass from Ciaren Jones to Finley Wilkinson who was able to get a shot away. It was welcome but more was needed, more constructive football and increased possession. We were approaching fifteen minutes and had only Wilkinson's isolated shot and then an abortive move that was easily intercepted.

Idiakhoa did construct a move, but the final pass favoured the young Kettering goalkeeper. The Poppies, for all their studied concentration were themselves not making inroads. Leon Clarke artfully won a free kick in an inviting central position, and it gave voice to the travelling supporters who were no doubt disappointed when the free kick sailed well clear of the target.

A Hitchin move on the left was met with stern resistance including a clearance that may well have landed on someone in the Shell garage. But at least the hosts were now beginning to get a feel of the game. There was a free kick in the right, hooked away by Cochran and this led to a probing move and Cochrane's pass, aimed at Lewthwaite was snatched by Horlock.

A ponderous move from Hitchin was ended by a cross too close to the keeper and Jarvis found space at the other end but his cross was poor. We had endured an unspectacular half hour not overburdened with creative play. Jarvis obliged with a corner, defended by Jones. Sharpe troubled with a long throw, but Jarvis lost his balance.

A Hitchin corner produced hope but resulted in a free kick for the Poppies. A would be attack for the visitors was artful but inadequate. The referee mystified by calling a conference with two Kettering players when we all thought Tearle's last tackle would see him quietly reprimanded. Some thought the action pedantic, and it definitely affected the game's pace which was hardly electric.

When play resumed there was a chance for Hitchin that was promising but lacked a proper finish. The cliché that came to mind was that this game badly needed a goal which could free the players from the understandable caution. The strain and responsibility was etched on the players' faces.

Lewis Barker conceded a corner following a fair move and Jones was there again about five minutes to the interval. Cotter tried to lift the ball to a teammate but was denied and then the referee called a meeting with both captains. I was informed later that the referee was unhappy with some ill-advised comments directed at a Kettering player, which contravened the accepted code of conduct.

A weak shot from Tearle concluded the action for the half, a player who never relaxed his efforts throughout the game. I thought that Ciaren Jones would be glad of the rest as his headed clearances had been vital and they were in both halves.

I wondered if the spectre of a replay was lurking, and there was again a delay whilst the referee consulted an assistant about lord knows what. A free kick for the Poppies invited a better header than it got and suddenly there was a hint of an attack from Hitchin, but it remained just a hint. The next effort was ruled out for an infringement then Dawson evaded the offside and promptly fell over by the corner flag. Wilkinson at the other end had a half chance and then a Kettering free kick saw Horlock punch clear. I saw that as a kind of message or symbol to exhort the team to more legitimate aggression.

The influence of Bradley Bell in the first game had diminished as had the flashes of individualism from Idiakhoa and Galliford. The former had a bit of a run in possession only to find there was no pitch left. A well constructed Hitchin attack was foiled, albeit awkwardly.

Hitchin were granted a free kick as Wilkinson was caught late, and it did occur that a set piece might settle this mediocre affair. Ironically, it did, but not for Hitchin. The attempt went begging. Jones dealt with a long throw as another foray by the Poppies faded away. Then Hitchin made substitutions with Galliford and and Cotter giving was to Snelus and Syme. Tearle's was gamely throwing himself in, looking for an opening, and Idiakhoa had a shot on target, but it was routine for Johnson. Snelus had a shot blocked after good work and he was bundled over for a free kick but again the goal was refusing to come.

A corner came for Hitchin, taken by Tearle, but it was low and ineffective. Bell was denied a cross and from a throw in Wilkinson was just thwarted right on the line. It was a temperature raiser. It led to wily attempts to try to outwit the Kettering defence who were having none of it. Again, Wilkinson's effort was blocked, and the ball ricocheted to Johnson. This was a good spell for the hosts but needed to be prolonged.

Jarvis ran boldly in possession and won a corner and that brought the opening goal, scrambled in by Tyrone Lewthwaite who on Tuesday ought to have bagged a couple. The goal was timed at seventy- four minutes. It was untidy but counted. Celebrations were as expected, and I think they were mingled with some sense of relief. Shortly after the restart Jarvis appeared to be injured and that prompted impromptu drinks break and some tactical instruction no doubt.

There was a need for some urgency from Hitchin who could argue that they did not deserve to be behind, having had the better attacking chances in the second period. Jones lofted one into the area that was dealt with and Idiakhoa attacked with pace, but the cross was woeful.

Hitchin lacked verve as the minutes ticked by, Georgiou's shot being blocked and Horlock launched the ball forward at every opportunity. Frustration could be seen as the Poppies defended their lead with legitimate spoiling play and some gamesmanship, all standard procedure.

Bell instigated a move that was beaten away and time was used up by long clearances and the grateful receipt of free kicks. Five additional minutes were added with Hitchin playing out from the back in a laborious fashion culminating in a sliced shot that was well off target.

The Kettering fans were elated, and these were the critical bodies who emptied the terraces quicker than Wilko's shelves on Tuesday night. Football supporters are fickle, hyper critical one moment, and delirious the next. It shows that expectations are high, but it must be said their team had outwitted their opponents and deserved their win.

For me it was the weight of experience of manager Andy Leese who instilled a sense of responsibility and pride in his team that had some changes. The game plan was successful but with hard work and strategic nous. I feel that there was some psychological advantage, since it made Hitchin's task a little undefined, inasmuch as they were clearly aware that it might be expected to add handsomely to the memorable league win in the same swaggering manner.

When a team gets a walloping, especially at home, they are chastened and determined that it will not happen again. The strategy did not make for a dramatic see-saw game full of incident. It was workmanlike and efficient, and we wish them all the best in the next round.

Now is the time one usually makes the comment about 'concentrating on the league'. Well, that is not the case since we now face two more Cup ties –Leverstock Green in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup and another home tie, where this time we face Stamford – now in our division.

Yes, for the majority of the fine attendance of 832, it was a disappointing result, particularly after that 4-0 performance, which in its own way a contributory factor regarding the team's muted performance.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, captain, Bradley Bell, Layne Eadie, Stan Georgiou, sponsors' man of the match, Ciaren Jones, this reporter's star man, Lewis Barker, Kye Tearle, Kavan Cotter, (Jack Snelus), Dan Idiakhoa, Isaac Galliford, (Toby Syme), Finley Wilkinson. Substitutes not used- Josh Mollison, GK, Dan Emovon, Temi Akinbusoye, Chris Khoo, Steve Gleeson.

KETTERING TOWN

Billy Johnson, Owen Cochrane, Ben Toseland, Kelvin Langmead, Leon Clarke, Gary Stohrer, captain, Tyrone Lewthwaite, GOAL, 74 MINUTES, 0-1, (Josiah Bridgeman), Rhys Sharpe, Dan Jarvis, (Sam Bennett), Huw Dawson, Luca Purse.

Substitutes not used- Gedeon Okita, Tom Scott, Harry Moors and Josh Blunkell.

Referee- Mr M Robertson-Tant, assisted by Mr S Berry and Mr N Brigg.

Attendance 832

REPORT BY PIPEMAN