Law heaps praise on Poppies' four-goal star Weir-Daley

Spencer Weir-Daley celebrates one of his four goals during Kettering Town's 5-1 victory over Market Drayton Town. Pictures by Peter Short

The Poppies’ top scorer struck their first four goals with Nathan Hicks adding the fifth as they hammered Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South outfit Market Drayton Town 5-1 at Latimer Park.

Weir-Daley now has 11 goals in all competitions this season and Law now wants his team to take that free-scoring form into the games that lie ahead.

“Spencer is a goalscorer, he’s a predator and he thrives on opportunities presented to him and he seizes on mistakes made by the opposition,” Law said.

Spencer Weir-Daley scores his first goal during Kettering Town's big FA Trophy win

“I am sure he will admit that he could have scored even more than he did.

“But to pull out four goals in any game at this level is an achievement and fair play to him.

“The key for us, as a whole, is to make sure we continue to score goals when we are on top in matches.

“We played pretty well at Chesham last Tuesday. We had them penned in their own half but we couldn’t hit the target. We did it today.”

Matthew Barnes-Homer made his full debut in the Poppies' 5-1 success at Latimer Park

Law, meanwhile, admitted he was looking forward to enjoying “an easier Saturday night” after the welcome victory, which saw a number of players return from injury.

But he is now keen to ensure it is followed up as the Poppies turn their attention back to the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division with a tough trip to Merthyr Town on Tuesday night.

“It is certainly an easier Saturday night than some we have had,” the Poppies boss added.

“We concentrated on getting people back from injury and getting minutes into players, which was a bit of a risk and at times it looked risky.

“Six of the team who played were returning from injury and we got 90 minutes into Matthew Barnes-Homer, Spencer and Lewis Hornby and then we had the likes of Paul Malone, Gary Mulligan and Liam Bateman featuring again.

“That was pleasing and the encouraging thing was that our quality shone through in the end.

“I don’t think performances have really been the question about our season, the problem has been the thing that matters and that is the scoreline.

“We have delivered a good result in the FA Trophy but it’s almost like we are waiting for it to happen in the league.

“We say the same things after a win and we really have to start delivering it instead of talking about it.”