Set-piece satisfaction as Poppies make it three in a row

Rene Howe and the travelling Kettering Town fans celebrate one of their goals during the 6-1 success at Cirencester Town

The Poppies made it three Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division wins in a row in emphatic style as they moved into the top eight of the table for the first time since September.

Law’s men made a flying start and were 4-0 up inside the first 20 minutes.

Goals from Rene Howe and Aaron O’Connor gave them a two-goal advantage before James Haran and James Brighton put them out of sight.

James Haran heads home one of his two goals for the Poppies

Cirencester pulled one back before the break but another Haran header and a first league goal for the club from Matthew Barnes-Homer rounded off another fine away-day as the Poppies picked up their seventh win on the road this season.

Five of their six goals came from set-pieces and that was one of the most pleasing aspects for boss Law, whose team have now suffered just one defeat in their last seven league outings.

“We started right on the front foot and their goalkeeper has made a good save from the kick-off and then we have scored from the corner and then from another one quickly after it,” Law said as he reflected on his team’s flying start.

“We have become a big threat from set-pieces and you have to give credit to the lads for their organisation and the way they are implementing the plans that are put in place for them.

James Haran celebrates after scoring in Kettering's fine win at Cirencester

“The fact we have scored from a set-piece in the majority of matches since the Kings Langley game (in the middle of last month) is very encouraging and it comes from the plans we make and the delivery being produced by James Brighton and Lewis Hornby.

“It’s Kettering Town, it never feels comfortable and at 4-0 we allowed them to get on top.

“But we regrouped at half-time, changed a couple of things and it was never really in doubt in the second half so I am really pleased.

“We made their goalkeeper work extremely hard.

“Five of the six goals came from set-pieces but some of the build-up play to earn those was really very good.”

The Poppies now have a free week as they gear up for a tough trip to second-placed Slough Town in their final game before Christmas next weekend.