Law knows Poppies' '˜defensive frailties' must be resolved

Marcus Law insists resolving Kettering Town's 'defensive frailties' is one of his top priorities as the attention turns towards next season.
Poppies boss Marcus Law shakes hands with Liam Bateman following the 3-3 draw at Frome Town. Pictures by Peter ShortPoppies boss Marcus Law shakes hands with Liam Bateman following the 3-3 draw at Frome Town. Pictures by Peter Short
Poppies boss Marcus Law shakes hands with Liam Bateman following the 3-3 draw at Frome Town. Pictures by Peter Short

The Poppies’ Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division campaign is petering out into what looks set to be nothing better than a top 10 finish and it continued with a 3-3 draw at Frome Town yesterday (Saturday).

They trailed twice in the first half but fought back to be level at the break thanks to goals from Aaron O’Connor and James Brighton.

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An own-goal gave them the lead in the second period but Frome hit back for a share of the spoils.

James Fitzgibbon heads home Frome's second goal against KetteringJames Fitzgibbon heads home Frome's second goal against Kettering
James Fitzgibbon heads home Frome's second goal against Kettering

Law acknowledged the Poppies’ defending is the key issue, although their cause wasn’t helped when Brett Solkhon limped out of the warm-up.

But despite the defensive problems, Law was pleased with what he saw from an attacking point of view.

The Kettering manager joked: “I think you have to give credit to both defences because they realised that the season is coming to an end with not much to play for and they thought they would give people plenty of entertainment!

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“Unfortunately, it was the story of our season because our normal defensive frailties were on show and it is something we are looking at seriously to make sure it won’t be what holds us back next season.

Youngster Jack O'Connor had another run out in the Poppies first-teamYoungster Jack O'Connor had another run out in the Poppies first-team
Youngster Jack O'Connor had another run out in the Poppies first-team

“We did have to rejig things with Brett being injured in the warm-up but we didn’t start the game well and gave the ball away quickly and then gave them a goal.

“But we always feel confident that we will score goals and our boys did put a shift in to get back into the game.

“Our second goal, in particular, was a very good team move finished off by James and I thought our front three (O’Connor, James Hall and Rene Howe) looked threatening.

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“It certainly works with the three of them and if one or two of them don’t score, you can pretty much guarantee the other will.

“But we do need to sort out our defending because it has held us back all season.

“There wasn’t a great deal we could have done differently for their third goal but the first two were preventable.”

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