Play-off final - Kettering 2 AFC Telford United 4: Dan Stacey and Lewis Cox analysis
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00:01Books fans, Lewis Cox and Dan Stacey of the Shropshire Star here at what is finally quietening down at Kettering Town's Latimer Park.
00:10About an hour ago it was far from quiet, was it Dan?
00:13We've been here to witness, well, AFC Telford United history really,
00:17and a 4-2 play-off final success in the Southern League Premier Central.
00:22Dan, talk us through an absolutely phenomenal day.
00:27Wonderful scenes that will, to be honest, I think live in the memory of any Telford person here today.
00:33Quieting down at Kettering Town, well, it wasn't quiet very long ago, was it?
00:37I mean, it's been absolute chaos here today.
00:39We arrived, what, just about 1 o'clock and it was...
00:42About half to half really.
00:43Yeah, it was absolutely rammed.
00:45Most people were in their seats or in their spots in the terraces at half one.
00:50Atmosphere was just unbelievable.
00:52Well, you got off the train with some Telford fans.
00:54Yeah, and they were bringing the atmosphere as well as a lot of other things.
00:58But no, they...
01:00Yeah, 600 behind the goal, like we've said a lot.
01:03Probably could have been triple, maybe even...
01:05Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:06Could have come down.
01:07Fenty of the new book's head, watching on a big screen.
01:09Yeah, at least a thousand down there.
01:11And, I mean, ultimately success.
01:13It was an up and down game.
01:15There were points where I wasn't convinced it was going to be the day.
01:18I was getting bad, bad flashbacks of Lennington where you and I...
01:22Yeah, yeah.
01:23Just about a year ago to the day.
01:24364 days ago.
01:25There we go.
01:26But no, they've gone one step further today.
01:28And, to be honest mate, I'm absolutely right.
01:31And so, a lot of people here today.
01:334-2.
01:35Telford trailed 1-0.
01:38They trailed 2-1.
01:40And, I mean, they trailed 1-0 for much of the first half.
01:43They trailed 2-1 for a fair chunk of the second.
01:47And, as we know, went on to equalise, then went on to find another gear somehow.
01:53And, let's say as well, you mentioned the 600 behind that goal.
01:56All four book's goals right there in front of that away end.
02:00So, I mean, first of all, describe the rally, if you will.
02:05The goals that came.
02:06And then, if you can, maybe describe the scenes that created the goals and full-time.
02:12So, yeah.
02:13I mean, at half-time, obviously, at 1-0 down, you're sort of thinking,
02:16Telford been poor as well.
02:17They, by their standards, they've been poor.
02:19But, bar the first 5 over 10, it was a poor first half.
02:22But then, in my head, I'm thinking, you know, attacking the fans behind the goal.
02:26And, I know it's a cliche, but, you know, sucking the ball into the net.
02:29All that good stuff.
02:30Yeah, yeah.
02:31I mean, I know they've won all for about a matter of minutes, maybe 90 seconds, if that.
02:37Which, I mean, we can get onto if you want.
02:39But, it felt like one goal would bring two, and two would bring three.
02:43And, ultimately, three brought four.
02:45But, yeah.
02:46Those fans behind the goal were, I mean, they were always for it.
02:50Well, they were treated today.
02:51Let's be honest, they were treated today, weren't they?
02:53Yeah.
02:54I mean, they had a lot to shout about.
02:55But, even when they didn't have a lot to shout about, and I think that is the most important thing to mention.
02:58And, it's what Kev Wilkin mentioned to me as well.
03:00Because, even when there isn't something to get behind, they still know that those fans will be getting behind them.
03:07Yeah.
03:08I think that is so crucial, because I don't think there's another team at the level that can say that.
03:13Both in terms of, A, getting behind them, and B, the numbers in which there are.
03:17Yeah, yeah.
03:18So, we'll just sort of rattle through.
03:21To update people who will have read the pieces online, I'm sure.
03:24The box trial at half-time to the Nile Ranger opener.
03:28Former Premier League Newcastle striker.
03:30Football League striker.
03:31Well taken finish.
03:32Lost Jimmy Armstead ten minutes before the break to injury.
03:36I mean, that's, you know, he's such an inspiration catalyst, isn't he?
03:40Yeah.
03:41So, talk about a double blow at the interval.
03:43But, as you touched on, Oren Penley, man on the spot from a corner to turn in for 1-0.
03:47Lasted, I mean, I made it barely three minutes before, was it Wes?
03:51Wes York.
03:52Wes York.
03:53Dan, your friend, some sloppy defending turned home.
03:55And, that 2-1 lasted until, what, 20 minutes to go?
03:58Yep.
03:59And, just, we spoke a lot post-game.
04:01And, I have to anyone who will listen to me, to be honest.
04:04But, the second and third goals are the key goals, aren't they?
04:07Yes.
04:08Obviously, long-serving, popular figure amongst the boys.
04:13Jordan Piggott makes it 2-2 with 20 minutes left.
04:15Yep.
04:16And, the right-back, Jid Fridja Harper.
04:19There you go.
04:20With his, thank you, with his first goal for the club.
04:23Yep.
04:24To make it 3-2 with 10 minutes left.
04:26I mean, talk us through both goals.
04:28Unbelievable goals.
04:29They, I mean, talk about, you know, big moments in big games.
04:33Matty Sensen, who, for a change, wasn't on the score sheet today.
04:37Four goals, no standout goals, yeah.
04:38But, at least two assists.
04:40The penalty one was Sensen, sort of, header across goal.
04:44I mean, his assist for, for Piggott's equaliser will be remembered by everyone here forever.
04:49So good.
04:50Because, it's an outside of the foot pass.
04:52It looks, all the things first, like it's, it's gone.
04:56And, all of a sudden, Piggott's there, race his strong goal.
04:59And, I've got to be honest, if you're watching, Jordan, I do apologise.
05:02So, when he rounded the keeper and he's on his left floor, from a ridiculously tight angle,
05:06I'm thinking, he'd do well to get this in.
05:09What a finish, yeah.
05:10Unbelievable finish.
05:11And, like you say, a very popular figure in front of that way.
05:13And, it went bonkers.
05:15And then, how far did Jid run for that third?
05:17I mean, he's...
05:18His own half.
05:19He's put the afterburners on.
05:20He's made brilliant interception.
05:22And, what a time to get your first goal for the club with a lovely finish across the keeper.
05:27And, it was done, wasn't it?
05:28All but done.
05:29But, so, Brees Hilton added a fourth, where he sort of finds himself for one goal.
05:33Again, like Piggott, keeps his composure to round the keeper and sign home.
05:37And, by that point, it's absolute carnage.
05:40In the away end, obviously, full-time goes.
05:42Fans on the pitch.
05:43The celebrations are incredible.
05:45Players mobbed.
05:46You're in there, reporting, getting mobbed.
05:49But, you know, everybody went back behind, didn't they?
05:52Into the stand for the trophy presentation, the trophy lift.
05:55Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful scenes.
05:57I think we'll round it off just, you know, at the second attempt after two seasons at Step 3.
06:02The Bucks are back in National North.
06:04Yep.
06:05Big challenge ahead, which we don't really have to think about yet.
06:08But, an amazing achievement for the club, certainly for Kevin Walken and the players.
06:13I mean, you know, I spend a lot of time speaking to Kevin and I know that this will mean a hell of a lot to him.
06:19He's had a tough run in play-off games recently.
06:21But, I think everyone at the South have knew that he would be the man to be the man to be in the nation.
06:26I think a lot of people on the outside would have expected it to be last season.
06:30And this is, in truth, they're, you know, they're, by far and away, not the biggest spenders.
06:35There are some, I mean, president included here, are chucking a lot of money at it.
06:41Indeed.
06:42And, I think, like you say, the fact that he's delivered it and Telford are back at a level,
06:48maybe he's still not where they belong, but closer to where they belong.
06:51So, I mean, it's only up from here. I think there's a hell of a lot of positivity around Telford.
06:56And, I couldn't be happier, mate, to be fair.
06:59Signing off, Kettering fan, to AFC Telford for lots and lots of report, review, reaction online.
07:06So, stay tuned.