Kettering Town V St Ives Town-Match Preview
Date: 01.11.25
Location: Latimer Park
Ives return to Pitchingin Southern League Premier Division Central action this weekend as they make the short trip across the A14 to Latimer Park as they prepare to take on Kettering Town.
Manager Ricky Marheineke will be hoping that his side can bounce back from their disappointing defeat to Ilkeston Town last weekend, which saw Ives exit the FA Trophy at the First Round Proper stage.
Since their last fixture there has been news of a player departure, with summer recruit Jamal Adams making the move back to Coventry Sphinx. Adams made 14 appearances for Ives since joining in June, with the number nine bagging three goals in the process.
With it being almost two weeks since Ives’ last league fixture you would be forgiven for needing an update on where Marheineke’s men currently sit in the table as they head into the weekend. Ives find themselves in 13th place with 16 points to their name having played 12 games. Despite having won only one of their last five league outings, Ives’ strong home record coupled with a few spirited performances on the road have kept them away from the wrong end of the table so far this season.
Kettering Town
The Poppies, who were tipped as one of the pre-season promotion favourites before a ball was kicked, have endured a somewhat turbulent start to the season, which has since brought about some big changes on and off the pitch.
Following the resignation of manager Simon Hollyhead, Kettering have appointed Liam McDonald as their new boss, with the 40 year-old coming in with previous experience managing at step three level having taken charge of fellow Southern League Central side Stourbridge last season.
There has also been some notable departures on the pitch since Ives last encounter against the Poppies, with Nile Ranger making the move to Wellingborough Town on the 17th of October having been the leagues joint top goal scorer with six goals in ten appearances.
Kettering currently ninth place in the table having accumulated 20 points from their opening 12 fixtures. However, despite having suffered a poor run of results between late August and mid-October which saw Poppies pick up a solitary win from seven league games, their form coming into Saturday’s fixture has shown signs of improvement, with McDonald’s men having picked up back to back league wins.
Last Time Out
The last time these close rivals locked horns was earlier this month as a second half effort from Amir Hadi was enough to see off a lacklustre Kettering side as Ives booked their place in the next round of the FA Trophy at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road. The home side had to endure some late pressure from Hollyhead’s side but ultimately came through the game in a fairly comfortable manner on what was a pleasant afternoon in early October.
Last 5 Meetings
St Ives Town 1-0 Kettering Town-October 4th 2025 (FA Trophy)
Kettering Town 2-3 St Ives Town-March 8th 2025
St Ives Town 0-3 Kettering Town-September 28th 2024 (FA Cup)
St Ives Town 1-2 Kettering Town-September 9th 2024
St Ives Town 6-0 Kettering Town-December 26th 2023
