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Latimer Park will be sold out for the first time on Sunday |
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Kettering Town v Doncaster Rovers
Kettering Town will be looking to cause another FA Cup shock on Sunday in front of the BBC cameras when Doncaster Rovers visit Latimer Park for an FA Cup Second Round clash. The Poppies defeated League One local rivals Northampton Town in the First Round and Richard Lavery's side will be confident of winning a place in Monday night's Third Round draw.
It will be an afternoon of firsts at Latimer Park. It will be the first time a league opponent has played at the ground in a competitive fixture. It will be the first time the stadium will have been sold out for a fixture and it will be the first time a match has been broadcast live from Latimer Park. Since the draw was made for this fixture a lot of work has gone on off the pitch to get the ground ready for the match and a few new additions will be seen on Sunday.
But the main focus on Sunday afternoon will be on the pitch and a fixture between two teams in excellent form. The Poppies have lost just one of their last fifthteen matches (13 wins) and are unbeaten in nine games. Doncaster have lost just one of their last eleven games and are unbeaten in six games so both teams will be full of confidence. Kettering manager Richard Lavery has said he believes the surroundings and pitch at Latimer Park can work in his team's favour. The stadium will be tight and compact and hostile, the dressing rooms are not the greatest and whilst the pitch has been so much better this season the rain in the last week won't make it the easiest to play flowing football on.
Kettering must, And I'm sure they will approach the game the way they did at Northampton. Hold no fear, play their own way and just have a go at Doncaster. In attack The Poppies have match winners and have an excellent defensive record. They have a chance, it will not be easy but they have a chance and If Doncaster are expecting an easy ride they will be in for a rude awakening
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Devon Kelly-Evans misses out through suspention |
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The Poppies do however have a double blow on the selection front for the match. Devon Kelly-Evans who has been one of the teams key performers this season serves the second of a three match ban following his red card against Bedford Town two week ago and striker Jonny Edwards who has scored six goals in seven games since he arrived from St Ives Town is cup-tied. Lewis White missed last weekend's victory over Leiston but should return and winger Tyree Wilson who was withdrawn early in that Leiston game should be fit to play.
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In from Jonny Edwards is cup-tied
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Lavery could switch back to a 4-3-3 formation with Nile Ranger playing as the lone striker or stick with the 3-5-2/4-4-2 he has played the last few games and bring in either Gary Hooper or Marvin Sordell to partner Ranger up front.
A LOOK AT DONCASTER ROVERS
As has already been said, Rovers arrive At Latimer Park in good form and sit in fourth place in the Sky Bet League Two table. Last Saturday they drew 0-0 away at the leagues bottom club Carlisle United where they had defender John-Alan McGrath sent off late on and he will miss Sunday's game through suspension. Leading the attack for Rovers could be the evergreen former Sheffield United, Southampton, Leeds United and LA Galaxy striker Billy Sharp who at 38 is still finding the net on a regular basis. In the First Round of the cup Doncaster won 1-0 away at League Two rivals Barrow thanks to a late goal from Patrick Kelly.
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Billy Sharp will be a goal threat for Rovers. | | |
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*One to Watch* - Whilst much of the focus will be on Sharp the Rovers real danger man could be winger Luke Molyneux. Full of tricks and pace the former Hartlepool man is a creator and scorer of goals and was named League Two player of the month for August. Molyneux has seven goals and four assists to his name this season.
Also keep an eye out for Owen Bailey. The former Gateshead playmaker has been in excellent form this season.
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Ex Poppies boss Lee Glover is now at Rovers
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There will also be a familiar face on the Doncaster bench as former Poppies manager Lee Glover is now first team coach with The Rovers. Glover only had one season in the Poppies hot seat as he took charge for the 2022/23 season. In truth he was a very unpopular appointment and that popularity dropped even more as he led the Poppies to relegation from the National League North before resigning in June 2023. Many Poppies fans had hoped he would have resigned way before he did as his dull and negative football and tactics played a major park in that relegation. I'm sure Lee will get and expect a frosty reception on Sunday.
Doncaster's Last 5 Results
Carlisle United (A) - D.0-0
Salford City (H) - D.1-1
Notts County (H) - D.1-1
Barrow (A) - W.1-0 (FAC1)
Barnsley (A) - W.3-2 (EFL Trophy)
Top Goalscorer: Luke Molyneux (7)
Last Time we met.....
Saturday 15th February 2003 - Nationwide Conference
Kettering Town 0
Doncaster Rovers 2 (Barnes 9, 45)
Att: 1633
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