It's back to the hard graft, says Kettering Town boss Cox

Paul Cox has warned his Kettering Town players that it will be “back to the hard graft” when they begin their Vanarama National League North campaign tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

The new-look Poppies kicked off their season with an impressive 2-0 victory over National League South side Chelmsford City at Latimer Park on Saturday thanks to goals from summer signings Lorne Bickley and Decarrey Sheriff.

That earned them a place in today’s draw for the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup.

But the focus now falls on the start of the league season at Gloucester City tomorrow evening, which is then followed by a clash with Southport at Latimer Park on Saturday.

And, after such an encouraging start, Cox is hungry for more after his players “raised the bar” at the weekend.

“If you look at the first four or five fixtures, they probably don’t come much harder,” the Poppies boss said.

“But if we go about our business and do what we’re good at and keep this team spirit we have got then we will affect games and we will win matches.

“I think the squad will still evolve. I am always looking to strengthen to put pressure on people.

“But the boys have really raised the bar in the first game and they have to meet those standards consistently.

“It can’t just be a one-off for the FA Cup. These boys have to perform week in, week out.

“It was a good performance on Saturday. They get the pat on the back because they deserve it but it’s back to the hard graft tomorrow night.”

Cox did add three players to his squad ahead of the weekend with Ben Stephens and Lewis Wilson both returning to the club from troubled Macclesfield Town while Josh Scott also signed on a youth loan deal from Mansfield Town.

Both Josh Oyinsan and Dan Holman missed the opener due to injuries.

And Cox added: “Both of them are struggling with injuries and that’s what the depth of the squad is for. We are trying to utilise the budget as much as we can to make sure the squad is competitive.

“Hopefully they will be there or thereabouts for tomorrow and next Saturday and they will be welcome because there will be some tired legs after the effort at the weekend.

“Bringing one or two in the day before the game was useful. I thought Josh Scott worked extremely hard up top and there will be even more to come from the young lad.

“And we had Ben Stephens and Lewis Wilson on at the end, so it’s good to have that depth to the squad.”