The two Pitching In Southern League representatives involved in the weekend’s Emirates FA Cup first round did us extremely proud by both securing impressive away wins.
Premier Central leaders, Kettering Town, came from behind to win at Sky Bet League One outfit, Northampton Town, with Luca Miller and Nile Ranger scoring the goals in a 2-1 extra-time victory, a result which has set up a home tie against Doncaster Rovers in the second round.
Playing his part in the giant-killing, which was screened live on BBC2 on Saturday evening, and providing the assist for the opening goal was Ben Hart, who shared the experience with us.
“Saturday was just incredible,” he told us. “There’s nothing quite like getting a result with your team after all the hard work we put in.
“The energy from the fans and the support from the whole club really pushed us on. It’s a mix of pride, excitement, and that hunger to keep winning. Moments like these are why we play football.
“The buzz around the club is amazing. You can feel the excitement from the fans, staff, and players alike. There’s a sense of unity and purpose here at Kettering that makes it a special place to be.
“Being part of something like that, which means so much to so many people, is a privilege and it motivates us to give everything we’ve got each game.
“Beyond Saturday, it’s been a solid start to the season, but there’s always room to improve. Personally, I feel I’m settling in well, getting into the rhythm of things, and learning each game.
“As a team, we’re building strong chemistry and getting better with each match. We’re hungry to push ourselves, knowing there’s more potential to unlock as we move forward in the season.
“The Premier Central is as competitive as ever. Every team brings its own challenges, and you can’t take any game for granted. There’s a lot of quality in the league, and it pushes us to stay sharp and focused. It’s a great stage to test ourselves, and we’re excited to keep proving ourselves against tough opposition.
“On a personal level, I want to stay consistent, contribute defensively, and help drive the team forward. I’m aiming to grow with each game, support my team-mates, and contribute where I can, whether that’s in defending or pushing up when needed and getting the ball in the box for a couple of tap ins.
“As a team, we’re focused on climbing the table or even staying top of the table and making a serious push in the league. We’ve also got the second round tie against Doncaster Rovers to look forward to, but that will be put on the back-burner for the time being as we put our focus back on strengthening our position at the top of the table.
“Collectively, we want to create something special here at Kettering and make the fans proud each time we step on the pitch.”
The Poppies are back in League action at the weekend as they play host to a Redditch United side who also find themselves in amongst the leading pack.
IMAGE: Peter Short
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