Doughboys have 'no fear' as they gear up for blockbuster FA Cup clash with Poppies

​Wellingborough Town boss Jake Stone is relishing the challenge of taking on county rivals Kettering Town in a blockbuster Emirates FA Cup derby at the Dog & Duck on Saturday (ko 3pm).

In a battle of two unbeaten sides this season, the Doughboys are aiming to make it nine wins out of nine in all competitions, but Stone knows taking on the Poppies is going to be his side’s biggest challenge of the campaign so far.

But it is one that he and his players are going to take head on, with an early-season FA Cup giant-killing the ultimate ambition.

"It’s a brilliant game for the players and everyone associated with the club to look forward to,” said Stone, who has steered his side to the top of the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division with five wins out of five.

"Kettering are a very good side from the level above with some excellent players, so we’re under no illusions about the size of the challenge.

"We’ll be underdogs and rightly so, but that also means we can go into the game with nothing to lose. It’s an opportunity to test ourselves against a strong Step 3 side and see where we are.”

The Poppies are also unbeaten after six matches in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central – winning three and drawing three – and they hammered Stamford 5-0 on Monday.

And Stone admitted: "Their results probably show exactly how difficult the task is going to be. They’re unbeaten themselves and winning 5-0 on Monday shows the quality they have.

"We know we’ll have to be very good and probably produce our best performance of the season.

"We respect them, but we certainly won’t fear them. We’re at home, we’re in good form and we believe in the group we’ve got.

"We’ll give it everything and see where that takes us.”

A big crowd is expected at the Dog & Duck, and Stone added: “These are the occasions you want for the football club.

"Hopefully we can get a really big crowd down there and create a great atmosphere.

"The players have given the supporters plenty to enjoy so far this season and it would be brilliant to see the Dog & Duck packed on Saturday, we have a real chance to break attendance record.

"Hopefully, we can put in a performance that everyone associated with Wellingborough can be proud of, whatever the result.”

Supporters of both clubs can pay on the day at the Dog & Duck, but tickets can also be bought in advance.

See both clubs’ social media outlets for full details.

Advance ticket prices are £12.50 for adults with concessions priced £9.50. Youths aged 13-16 will pay £3, while under-12s go free.