Pressure is just part of it for Law as Poppies look to the Trophy

The Poppies delivered a storming display just when they needed it last Saturday as Spencer Weir-Daley hit four goals for the second successive weekend as he led them to their biggest away league win for 80 years.

Kettering followed that up by moving into the semi-finals of the NFA Hillier Senior Cup as they beat Peterborough Sports 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at Latimer Park. They will now host Brackley Town in the last four in February.

Now they are turning their attention to tomorrow’s (Saturday) Buildbase FA Trophy second qualifying round at Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South side Witton Albion, who boast an unbeaten home record in the league this season.

Law’s position was under scrutiny going into last Saturday with an inconsistent start ensuring Kettering currently sit in mid-table.

And while he was pleased to see his players deliver, he knows they have to keep doing it week in, week out.

“The pressure is part and parcel of it,” Law said.

“The lads went out and conducted themselves correctly and deserved what they got from the game. But it’s one win and we have to go and do it again.

“The big aim for Tuesday was trying to continue the same mentality leading into the weekend.

“We will work hard ahead of the game and prepare for Witton.

“They are a tough, northern team and they are unbeaten at home in the league but we have been a fairly confident side on the road this season.

“It’s going to be a tough ask but we feel we have enough to get a result.

“When we are at it, we have proven that we have what it takes to pull out a result.

“Last weekend, the big difference was that we took the opportunities we created and we must make sure we continue to do that.”

Law was pleased to get some of the club’s youngsters on the pitch in the midweek success and felt he got the balance about right as he also managed to rest some key players.

“It was a tough one to call because we wanted to get the balance right between using some younger players but also making sure we had enough to take on a very good side who have players who are below their natural level,” he added.

“I think we got it about right. We got the likes of Ben Baker and Jack O’Connor involved and I think Jack showed why a lot of people have been talking about him.

“I was disappointed with the goals we conceded, particularly the first two. But we have got through another round.”

Law, meanwhile, was able to deliver some positive news on the injury front with goalkeeper Paul White and midfielder Lewis Hornby both in contention for the clash at Witton.

But Liam Bateman (hamstring) is facing a further three or four weeks on the sidelines while Ben Bradshaw’s knee injury is set to keep him out of action for up to two months.