Sunday is going to be a big day for our two remaining representatives in the Emirates FA Cup.
It all starts at noon when Pitching In Southern League Premier Central leaders, Kettering Town step out at home to Doncaster Rovers of Sky Bet League Two.
Then history is made for Harborough Town, also of the Premier Central, as they face their first-ever tie at this second round of the competition as they head to Sky Bet League One outfit, Reading.
Both clubs did us proud in the previous round, with the Poppies winning at Northampton Town and the Bees stinging Tonbridge Angels with a convincing away win.
We caught up with two players who are set to have a key role to play in both games.
“This is a massive opportunity for us,” Kettering Town goalkeeper, Dan Jezeph, told us. “We’re really looking forward to the challenge that stands before us and the prospect of joining the big boys in the third round.
“It will be great to have 3,000 fans at Latimer Park; there’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere and hopefully it will help us get the job done.
“As a group we’re in a great place. We’re unbeaten in our last nine games in all competitions, which alone is a good record to have. Not only are we doing ourselves proud in the FA Cup, but we’re also four points clear at the top of the table and we’re excited about what we can achieve this season.”
So, what is the secret to this success so far?
“There’s no secret,” he added. “We have so much belief within the group; we know that we have something good going on here.
“In the previous round, we went to Northampton and played our own game. We didn’t change anything, we didn’t sit back at all, we just did what we would normally do.
“Playing on a decent pitch with the quality we have on the ball really helped us on that occasion and it showed in our performance to win away at a side four Leagues above us.
“This season has started really well for us. I was part of the group last season after Nuneaton withdrew from the League. When I first joined we were in the bottom three and the difference from then to now is night and day.
“That’s credit to the Gaffer and his staff for the players that they have been able to bring in and the high standards that they have set.
“We’re ticking along nicely in the League; I just hope that when the time comes that we exit the FA Cup, we don’t have that ‘hangover’ and can maintain what we’re doing in the League.
“Our aim for the season is pretty clear; promotion, by whatever means, be it by winning the title or going through the play-offs. Personally I want to keep the goals we concede as low as possible. It’s credit to the back four that so far we’ve been solid and have conceded the fewest goals.
“If that continues then we have more than enough firepower up top to win games, so it’s a healthy combination!”
Over at Harborough Town, the sense of anticipation is also building nicely.
They warmed up for Sunday’s game with a commanding 4-1 victory over Banbury United last weekend, a result which sees them reach the 20-point mark from their opening 17 games at Step 3.
There has been a buzz around The Beehive this week, which has been enhanced by former Brazil international, Sandro, stepping up his training with a view to being involved in the engine room.
“It’s just going to be a surreal experience,” admitted local lad, Freddie Robinson. “To reach this stage of FA Cup and play at such a fantastic stadium as Reading’s, alongside a former FA Premier League player and Brazil international, it’s crazy!
“What an experience it’s going to be, something we could only dream of and we’ll be looking to take it all in, enjoy the occasion, but ultimately try to continue our progress in this competition.
“For a club who had only previously reached the second qualifying round, this is dreamland. People are talking about us, which is fantastic.
“We went into the previous round with a game plan and it worked perfectly; everything just clicked for us and it was an afternoon that we will never forget. Hopefully we’ll be able to say the same on Sunday, although this time we will be up against opponents from a much higher level.
“This is what the FA Cup is all about, anything can happen. We’ll have 3,500 supporters behind us and we go into the tie on the back of a brilliant team performance last weekend to beat Banbury United.
“I am so proud to be representing my town. They say that you have to play the game and not the occasion, so that’s what we will be aiming to do. Our preparations have gone well; everyone is level-headed and ready to go, so bring it on!”
The Southern League would like to send our best wishes to both Kettering Town and Harborough Town. Keep doing us proud!
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