Two late goals saw Fulham reach the fifth round of the FA Cup after a 4-2 win over brave Kettering.
Valiant Kettering crash out of FA Cup despite levelling twice
Fulham left it late to end the hopes of the lowest placed side left in the FA Cup as they beat Kettering 4-2 on Saturday.
A sell-out crowd at Rockingham Road was not enough to see the Blue Square Premier side triumph over Fulham who sit 93 league places above them.
With less than 10 minutes remaining it was all square but two late goals from Andy Johnson and substitute Bobby Zamora ensured Fulham progressed to the fifth round.
Simon Davies opened the scoring for the visitors after 12 minutes before Kettering striker Craig Westcarr levelled with a free-kick ten minutes before the break.
Kettering valiantly battled back again with Westcarr slotting home a 83rd minute penalty, cancelling out Cottagers' substitute Danny Murphy's goal after 77 minutes.
Genuine scare
Kettering could have taken the lead after just three minutes. A long ball saw Fulham defender Brede Hangeland hesitate and the ball bounced awkwardly into the path of Westcarr, who turned and fluffed his shot when it seemed easier to steer it past Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
It was a genuine scare, as was been the first long throw into the penalty box by Kettering defender Exodus Geohaghon, which equalled that of Stoke's specialist Rory Delap for length and menace.
But just when Kettering appeared to be settling Davies promptly provided an example of class to give Fulham the lead after 12 minutes.
Dempsey conjured up space on the right and fired in a precise cross which Davies met so sweetly on the volley from 16 yards that Kettering goalkeeper Lee Harper could only stand and watch as it rippled his net.
But Kettering began to grow in confidence and what they lacked in skill they made up for in work rate with Westcarr lively down the right.
And it was Westcarr who kept Kettering's cup dream alive, scoring a 20-yard free-kick after 36 minutes ensuring the non-league side went in all square at the break.
The striker was tripped just outside the penalty box by Aaron Hughes and duly put away the free-kick albeit taking a slight deflection on its way in.
The home side could have gone in leading at the break when their top scorer Gareth Seddon found himself in on goal within a minute of the interval, the striker dragging his shot wide under pressure from the Fulham defence.
Growing in belief
The non-league side were growing in belief and a wonderful run from Richard Graham saw the ball spin fortunately away for a corner off the legs of Schwarzer.
A header from Brett Solkhon and a shot from Westcarr also went close and there was an edginess creeping into Fulham's play as the possibility of a cup upset gathered pace.
Manager Roy Hodgon's concern was obvious as he brought on Danny Murphy and Bobby Zamora for Zoltan Gera and Dickson Etuhu after 68 minutes.
Zamora had a golden chance to give Fulham the lead shortly after coming on but contrived to send his header wide from 10 yards.
But then came a cruel blow for the non-league side. A speculative shot from Murphy from outside the box took a wicked deflection off Geohaghon after 77 minutes and ended up flying past goalkeeper Harper.
The drama was not over, though, and five minutes later Westcarr was brought down inside the box by Hangeland and referee Riley pointed to the spot.
Westcarr promptly slid the spot kick home for a deserved equaliser. Even then there was a final twist when first Andy Johnson and then Zamora scored late goals to send Fulham through.
| Team Name |
Kettering Town |
Fulham |
| Possession |
42% |
58% |
| Goals |
2 |
4 |
| Shots On Target |
4 |
10 |
| Shots Off Target |
7 |
7 |
| Blocked Shots |
0 |
3 |
| Corners |
3 |
3 |
| Fouls Conceded |
12 |
18 |
| Offsides |
1 |
1 |
| Yellow Cards |
3 |
1 |
| Red Cards |
0 |
0 |
|
