Boss Bridgwater’s FA Cup warning as struggling Quorn head to Latimer Park
Kettering Town joint boss David Bridgwater is warning his players they have to be ready to face a fired-up Quorn when the two sides meet in the FA Cup second qualifying round at Latimer Park on Saturday (ko 3pm).
It is two Step 3 sides squaring off against each other, but their form and results so far this season couldn't be any more different.
Whereas the Poppies are unbeaten after seven games and are sitting pretty in fifth place in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central, Quorn have been struggling.
The Leicestershire side were moved sideways to the Northern Premier League Premier in a league restructuring at the end of last season, which not surprisingly led to an exodus of players not keen on the extra travelling involved.
They have struggled to adjust to life in their new surroundings, and currently sit third from bottom, having won one and lost five of nine their league games so far, and they were thumped 4-1 at Guiseley at the weekend.
But a wary Bridgwater believes they could well be inspired by the challenge of taking on the Poppies - and is warning his players they have to be on their mettle if they are to progress to the third qualifying round.
"Quorn will come here, they will play in front of 1,000 fans and they know Kettering is a big club in terms of history and where they have been," said Bridgwater.
"So players do raise their levels, and we have spoken to the lads about this.
"We have said to them that whoever comes here, we have to match their work-rate, match their intensity, and we have to compete.”
The Poppies needed two matches to see off county rivals Wellingborough Town in the previous round, drawing the opener 2-2 before winning the replay 2-1, and Bridgwater added: "We have to earn the right to play.
"We have a new squad, and some of the boys are starting to realise that now, that teams do raise their levels, just as Wellingborough did in the previous round.
"The boys have to match that, or beat it. We do have quality on the pitch, but there is more to come from us.
"That said, we are in a good place.
"We have had nine games, five wins, four draws, and in the league we have the joint best defensive record with Alvechurch."
The Poppies will go into the match fresh, with their scheduled midweek trip to Peterborough Sports called off as the home side withdrew from the competition, handing the Poppies a bye into the next round and a night off.
Kettering were 1-0 winners over Stratford Town in the league last weekend.
Quotes courtesy of Peter Short