Poppies in ‘a really good place’ as they stay top ahead of Cobblers Cup crunch
Richard Lavery believes Kettering Town are 'in a really good place' after they secured a brilliant 2-0 win over title rivals Stourbridge in front of a crowd of more than 1,500 at Latimer Park on Tuesday.
The victory ensured the Poppies stayed top of the tree in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central, a point clear of second-placed Stamford with a game in hand.
Two goals in the final 15 minutes sealed the win after a tough battle, with Isiah Noel-Williams breaking the deadlock and then substitute Gary Hooper wrapping things up in the final minute.
It was the former Celtic man's first goal for the club on his debut.
Stourbridge probably had the better of the first half at Latimer Park, but Lavery's team came good after the break and can now enjoy their 10-day break from competitive action before the huge FA Cup clash at Northampton Town on November 2.
"That was probably our hardest game," Lavery told Kettering Town's YouTube channel. "It was first-versus-second and a good one for the neutral, but not for me.
"But it's another three points with a clean sheet at home, and another massive attendance.
"I think Dan Jezeph made two really good saves in the first half, and we didn't really have a shot. The defence was good, and then in the second half we limited them to few chances.
"I have good forwards although we didn't create anything in the first half, but in the second we were a lot better, we created quite a bit and got our two goals.
"I think we deserved the win and we are in a really good place."
Lavery was also delighted to see Hooper get off the scoring mark, and said: "Gary Hooper has waited.
"He didn't get on on Saturday so I threw him on for the last 20 minutes and you could see his quality.
"We had him and Nile Ranger up there for the last 20 minutes and they looked good together."