Poppies aiming to keep the pressure on at the summit

Marcus Law knows Kettering Town must try to keep the pressure on their rivals when they return to league action at Needham Market this weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Nov 2018, 12:10 BST
Updated 1st Nov 2018, 12:15 BST
Ben Toseland celebrates with Rhys Hoenes after he opened the scoring in Kettering Town's FA Trophy success over Stourbridge last weekend. Picture by Peter ShortBen Toseland celebrates with Rhys Hoenes after he opened the scoring in Kettering Town's FA Trophy success over Stourbridge last weekend. Picture by Peter Short
Ben Toseland celebrates with Rhys Hoenes after he opened the scoring in Kettering Town's FA Trophy success over Stourbridge last weekend. Picture by Peter Short

The Poppies are two points clear at the top of the Evo-Stik League South Premier Division Central and made progress into the second qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Stourbridge last Saturday.That has set up a tie at Stamford next weekend and it means that, after tomorrow's (Saturday) trip to Needham Market, Law’s team won’t be back in league action until they head to fellow high-flyers Royston Town on November 17.“We are switching between competitions at the moment,” said Law, whose team are also in Southern League Challenge Cup second-round action against King’s Lynn Town at Latimer Park next Tuesday night.“And when that happens, it makes the league games that bit more important because you aren’t getting on a run of them.“So, if we want to keep the pressure on other around us then we have to go and perform in games like this weekend.“I think the one thing this league has proven so far is that any team, certainly within the top 18 clubs, can beat anyone on their day.“We will certainly be going to Needham Market using the same preparations and the same plans and we will hope to come back with a positive result.”Law was on hand to see Stamford win 1-0 at Leek Town in their FA Trophy first qualifying round replay on Tuesday night.It means Graham Drury’s team will now host the Poppies a week tomorrow.Stamford beat Kettering 1-0 in a pre-season friendly in the summer and Law added: “I went to watch the game on Tuesday and Stamford are a very organised team.“I don’t think anyone can read anything into that friendly because their team is different and we certainly used that game as one for trialists.“They have a good pitch and it is a local game at a very tidy ground so I am sure we will have a few supporters there for it.“You know Graham will be fired up and have his team focused so it should be an interesting game.”The Poppies, meanwhile, completed a new signing this week with 19-year-old defender Bradley Kauzeni joining the club having previously been with the likes of St Albans City, Whyteleafe and Walthamstow.

Related topics:Stamford