McDonald calls on Kettering Town supporters to be '12th man' in hectic home run
Boss Liam McDonald has called on the Kettering Town supporters to come out in force once again on Saturday for the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central clash with Bromsgrove Sporting (ko 3pm).
The Poppies played a first home game for 73 days on Tuesday when Stratford Town were beaten 2-0, and it was a game that kick-started a hectic run of fixtures at Latimer Park in the coming w
eeks.Kettering are at home on Saturday when Bromsgrove Sporting come to town, and then next Tuesday the visitors are Alvechurch.
There is then a trip to AFC Sudbury, before three more home matches on the spin in the space of eight days against Sudbury, Quorn and Banbury United.
It is going to be an intense spell of fixtures for all concerned with the Poppies, and although McDonald understands the run of home games will put a lot of strain on the finances and time of fans, he is pleading with them to dig deep and back the team.
"I am pleased for the fans that we got the win against Stratford, but we need them again on Saturday," McDonald told Kettering Town's YouTube channel.
"And that is probably something I am going to say week in, week out from now on.
"I know there are a lot of home games coming up, but we really need them, because with them we do have a 12th man, and we are going to need a 12th man in some games.
"We are playing Saturday-Tuesday for a long period of time and we are going to have tired legs because we have a small squad.
"But the fans give you that little bit of energy when you need it, and I think on Tuesday at 0-0 when Stratford had a couple of chances, we got that little bit of energy.
"We have a big number of fans, it was a great turnout on Tuesday, and I am glad we sent them home with smiles on their faces and three points and with them hopefully looking forward to coming back on Saturday.
"It is another tough game, but we would love another big crowd if we can, and with the supporters with us on this journey everything is possible."
Bromsgrove are currently 15th in the Premier Central, and still have relegation concerns as they are only two points above the drop zone.
When the two sides met earlier in the campaign, Bromsgrove were 3-0 winners in one of McDonald's first games in charge.
The Poppies go into the game in good form, unbeaten in five and having won four of those matches, and very much in the race for the play-offs.
Kettering are 11th and trail fifth-placed Redditch by seven points, but they do have three games in hand. The Poppies also have four games in hand on fourth-placed Quorn, who have a nine-point advantage.