"Bucks looking for a performance to remember against the Poppies"

Match Date : November 12th, 2024 7:45 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central
Ground : New Bucks Head
Kick Off : 19:45

The Bucks will take on table-topping Kettering Town at the SEAH Stadium this Tuesday evening.

The Poppies were relegated alongside the Bucks in 2022/23, and at one point last season it looked like they might tumble down another division. Andy Leese and then Jim Le Masurier were charged with reviving Kettering’s fortunes, but both fell well short, and the Poppies were deep in relegation trouble until current boss, former Buck Richard Lavery, arrived from Quorn towards the end of February. Lavery’s arrival heralded a run of five straight league wins during which Town conceded only once, as Kettering ultimately finished nine points above the drop in 15th place.

And after their brush with relegation,  Town have more than kicked on this season following their summer takeover by George Akhtar. Akthar, a football coach from Watford, purchased the Northamptonshire club at the start of May and has backed Lavery with a number of high-profile signings, as the Poppies look to climb back up to Step 2.

Notable new faces at Latimer Park include a raft of forwards with Premier League experience in the shape of Nile Ranger, Gary Hooper and Marvin Sordell. While the Poppies have also snapped up last season’s top scorer in the Southern League Premier Central, Jonny Edwards, from St Ives Town. Less celebrated but equally important arrivals include tireless full backs Aaron Powell (on loan from Peterborough United) and Ben Hart (Coalville), and experienced midfielders Andi Thanoj (Coalville) and Devon Kelly-Evans (Quorn). Kettering stalwarts Connor Johnson and Gary Stohrer remain important parts of Lavery’s revamped squad.

And the Poppies’ rebuild has paid dividends so far this term. After an inauspicious start to the campaign that saw Town win two, draw two and lose two, Kettering have won 11 of their 12 games in all competitions since. That run has seen the Poppies climb up to 1st in the table, while they made it through to the FA Cup Second Round with a momentous 2-1 win over League One neighbours Northampton Town. Only an FA Trophy defeat to Gainsborough Trinty spoils the Poppies’ record over the last two months.

But the Bucks are finding some form of their own and turned in their most complete performance of the season to beat early pacesetters Stamford 3-1 on Saturday. Kevin Wilkin’s men cruised to two victories over the Poppies last season, winning 3-1 at Latimer Park before winning 4-0 at the New Bucks Head in February. But the Bucks bowed out of the FA Trophy last year to Lavery’s Quorn side, and Kettering are, of course, a very different proposition this term.

With both sides flying high and looking to stay well and truly in the promotion picture, it promises to be an intriguing night under the lights on Tuesday – and, if any further incentive were needed, the Bucks would go top with a win.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Tickets for Tuesday’s fixture will remain on sale up until kick-off and are available for purchase online in advance. See our ticketing page for further details.