Match Preview
It’s third vs fourth in the Evo-Sik Southern Premier Division Weymouth travel to Kettering Town in a potential play-off dress rehearsal at Latimer Park this evening
Kettering moved above the Terras after walloping a sorry Gosport Borough team 7-0 on Tuesday evening. Despite playing so soon after and having many games in quick succession, the Poppies will feel as though preparation is good going into this one. Weymouth were held to a 1-1 draw with Banbury United at the weekend. This gave Marcus Law’s men the opportunity to overtake the Terras on goal difference and Kettering did the business against Gosport; so this promises to be a mouthwatering occasion and the winner may well grab that home play-off tie with a win but with Kettering having some tough games remaining on paper and Slough Town still very much in the mix, it promises to be an extremely tight battle for the places in the already confirmed Evo-Stik Southern Premier play-offs.
Kettering Town are currently managed by Marcus Law, who is in his second spell at the club. Marcus managed Kettering Town from 2010-2011 and led them to a 14th place finish in the Conference National. Law began his second spell in May 2015, following Kettering Town’s promotion to the Southern Premier. Kettering Town have finished 6th and 9th in the Southern Premier under Law but look set to finish in the playoffs this season. Marcus Law has already racked up around 15 years of managerial experience despite only being 42 years old, he has also had spells working as a scout in the professional game.
Current League Standings
| # | Team | Pl | HW | HD | HL | AW | AD | AL | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | Pts |
| 3 | Kettering Town | 42 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 28 | 7 | 7 | 111 | 47 | 64 | 91 |
| 4 | Weymouth | 43 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 7 | 8 | 97 | 44 | 53 | 91 |
Team News
Mark Molesley has the luxury of no injury problems and is expected to go to Kettering with a full strength side.
News From The Terras
Speaking to Echo Sport Mark Molesley said “Everything is to play for still so it is exciting times and a lot of challenges await.
“The next game is always the biggest game for us and that is certainly the case with Kettering.
“We are always respectful of the opposition but we know that we go there and if we work hard and make sure we show the right attitude and work ethic then we feel we can give them a good game. We are looking forward to the game now. We always respond well, we always react well.”
News From The Poppies
Speaking to the Northampton Telegraph ahead of tonight’s game, Marcus Law said “We want to see a big crowd
“And, on our part, we want to produce a big performance to show what we are capable of doing.
“We have pulled out all the stops this season and it’s just unfortunate that four other clubs have done the same.
“We are in a mini league now and we have the games and goals on our side to try to nick second place.
“Tonight and Saturday are huge games and if we want to secure second then we are going to have to produce a couple of very big performances.
“I think second place has to be the target because it is still achievable.
“For the first time, we know we can’t catch Hereford so we have to look at the next target and that is to get second place and then go into the play-offs knowing we will have home advantage.”
One to Watch
Aaron O’Connor
Aaron O’Connor’s goal against Gosport Borough took him to 37 goals in all competition and 30 in the league. O’Connor will be hoping to score some more over the upcoming weeks to put some pressure on Brandon Goodship for the golden boot, he is currently 6 goals behind Brandon but has two league games in hand to try and catch him.
Speaking to the Northampton Telegraph, Marcus Law said about O’Connor “I said when we signed Aaron that if we got him up to full fitness then he would be a forced to be reckoned with and I think that has been proven now
“He has repaid the faith I have shown in him and for him to hit 30 goals already this season is an excellent achievement.
“There are strikers who have scored more goals in the league than him but I don’t think there are many better in all honesty.
“His work-rate is second to none and he is the sort of player who will come up with the goods even when he is having a bad day.”
The Stats Say
In the five meetings between the two sides since Kettering Town’s promotion in 2015, Weymouth have won 4 and lost 1, although the Terras last visit to Latimer Park ended in a 3-1 defeat.
A fixture which always seems to produce goals, there have been 19 goals in the past 5 meetings, with Weymouth scoring 11 of these and Kettering Town with 8.
Admission Info
Adults – £10
Concessions – £6
Under 16 – £1
Kettering Town Football Club
Latimer Park
Polwell Lane
Burton Latimer
Kettering
NN15 5PS
Last Time We Met
Weymouth picked up their first home win of this season the last time the two sides met, having lost to St Ives Town and drawn with Stratford Town at home, Weymouth were desperate to make amends and did so in style.
Callum Buckley netted an unfortunate own goal, but a quick response from Weymouth with goals from Ben Thomson and on loan Jordan Rose saw Weymouth 2-1 up at half-time and a late clincher from Harry Baker saw Weymouth cruise to a 3-1 victory.
Terras: Travers, Brooks, Cooper, Wells, Rose, Buckley, Carmichael, McCarthy, Thomson, Goodship (Baker 82), Wakefield (Davis 77).
Subs not used: Down, Prodomo, Rodriguez.
Goals: Thomson (28′) Rose (33′) Baker (83′)
Kettering Town: White, Berry, Brighton (Bates 53), Solkhon, Mulligan, Richens, Hoenes (Stevens 57), O’Connor, Howe, Milnes, Meikle.
Subs not used: Baker, Stohrer, Sundire.
Goals: Buckley OG (20′)
Attendance: 684
Terras Man of the Match: Calvin Brooks
