Bridgwater pleased with 'good workout' as Poppies edge past UCL side ON Chenecks
Joint boss David Bridgwater feels Kettering Town's penalty shootout win over ON Chenecks in the NFA Hillier Senior Cup on Saturday was 'a good workout' for his side.
The Poppies progressed into the semi-final of the county cup, winning 4-1 on spot-kicks after the match had ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.
Kettering played a mix-and-match side against their United Counties League visitors, with the team made up of senior players as well as a batch of youngsters from the club's under-18s side.
The senior players involved included goalkeeper Paul White and the likes of Ryan Haynes, William van Lier, Emmanuel Maja, Kai Fifield, Theo Alexandrouo and Shaun Jeffers, with Michael Gyasi on the bench.
"It was a good workout and we got some minutes into the lads who needed some minutes and I thought there were some really good performances," Bridgwater told Kettering Town's YouTube channel.
"It was good to see some of the under-18s that have been doing well getting an opportunity, and pleased to see them make their debuts
"I thought Hayden (Beasant) at left-back did really well, Mason )(Jarvis) did really well playing out of position at right-back and Jayden (Gibbs) did well.
"It was a good exercise and we are in the semi-final now, and it would be good to win a cup wouldn't it?
"If we can win the semi-final you get to the final and see what happens, but we want to try and get as far as we can, and we want to try and lift the trophy."
The Poppies also fielded a trialist in midfielder player Rico Patterson, with Bridgwater saying: "We have seen Rico before at Rushall.
"He used to play as a lad from Blues (Birmingham City) and did well for us for a short while.
"He did well when he came on and it was a good chance for us to look at him, but there is lots and lots of competition in that midfield area."
Kettering, who were beaten 2-1 at Bromsgrove Sporting last midweek, return to Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central on Tuesday night when they entertain Leiston.
The Poppies dropped out of the play-offs on Saturday, slipping to eighth as they were leapfrogged by Needham Market who won 2-1 at Leamington.
Kettering are now 12 points behind leaders Real Bedford, who were emphatic 4-0 winners at Stamford.