Bridgwater relieved as Poppies bounce back to return to play-off places
David Bridgwater was delighted with Kettering Town's performance as they moved back into the play-off places with a 4-0 hammering of Leiston at Latimer Park on Tuesday night.
The joint boss had called on his players to bounce back after claiming just a point from their previous two matches against Halesowen and Bromsgrove Sporting, a slip that had seen the Poppies slide to eighth in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central table.
But two goals in each half saw Kettering ease to victory and move back up to seventh, and to within 10 points of leaders Real Bedford who were held 2-2 at home by second-placed Bury Town.
On target in the first half were Mihael Gyasi and Eddie Panter, with Harvey Peters and Theo Alexandrou wrapping things up after the break.
"We needed to get the three points, having dropped out of the play-offs," Bridgwater told the Kettering Town YouTube channel.
"We were down to eighth, but the past two games were tough. Halesowen are a good side and then we were down to 10 men at Bromsgrove for a long time.
"But the lads did exactly what we asked, to win 4-0 is a great result and Leiston are a good side as well.
"The first 20 or 30 minutes was nip and tuck, but then eventually we got the break through and were then 2-0 up at half-time.
"We said to the players could they step it up another level in the second half, move the ball a bit quicker, and we did. I thought we were good.
"There were four different goalscorers, we defended well when we needed to, so it is a really pleasing night.
"We needed the three points, and that has put us back up to seventh position and just inside the play-offs, so it is pleasing."
Kettering take a break from league action this Saturday when they entertain Quorn in the FA Trophy, before hosting Rushall Olympic in the Premier Central next Tuesday (Oct 27).