Tough trip awaits as Poppies get ready to return to action

And boss Marcus Law believes his team are in for a “tough restart” to their Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division programme.

It’s been nearly three weeks since the Poppies claimed a 1-1 draw at Bedworth United.

Since then, three matches – away at Slough Town and at home to Dorchester Town and Stratford Town – have been called off.

Kettering now find themselves six points behind fifth-placed Hitchin Town, having played the same number of games, although they do have matches in hand on other teams in the play-off places.

One of those sides are Weymouth, which is where Law and his players are heading this weekend.

It was set up to be a season-defining week for the Poppies but their scheduled clash at another of the high-fliers Redditch United on Monday night has now been postponed due to the Reds having a Birmingham Senior Cup match to play.

However, Kettering’s clash at Weymouth – who moved up to third after a 1-0 win over Cambridge City on Tuesday night – is followed by a trip to fellow play-off chasers Hungerford Town a week tomorrow.

It still adds up to a big challenge for the Poppies and Law is under no illusions about how tough it will be, particularly after an enforced three-week break for his side

“It’s a very tough restart to our league programme,” the Poppies boss said.

“It’s almost like starting the season again and we have some hard matches coming up.

“Weymouth are in the play-off places and Hungerford are just outside them and they also held Chester or nearly 70 minutes in the FA Trophy last weekend.

“They are two very tough away games in a row and it is going to be a big challenge for us.

“It will be difficult but we to make sure we are hard to beat and give ourselves every chance to pick up points.”

Law admits he does have concerns about his players being under-cooked after three weeks off.

But he revealed the lack of matches will mean he’ll have a full-strength squad to choose from.

“Because of the bad weather, we have given them their own time at various stages,” Law added.

“But we have reconvened this week and they will know what is required of them. It’s important we are together as a group.

“It’s not been easy without any games. But we will be working on making training as close to 11 versus 11 as we possibly can to ensure they are ready.

“The good news is that there are no injuries to report and everyone will be fit and raring to go.”