Match Preview

It has been a good couple of weeks for the Royals getting their first win in the league last week, and now achieving this mouth-watering tie against Kettering in the 2nd round of the FA Cup qualifier.

It has been another tough journey to reach this stage, having the first game away and then doing battle over Redditch twice, but here we are the same stage as last season in the hope that we can go one round further.

To do that we have to get past Kettering who are in the Vanarama National League North, and although they currently lie at the bottom of that in 20th place, they have had a resurgence in recent weeks. They have had victories over Alfreton, who many of you will remember knocked us out last year, and Cogenhoe United who they knocked out of the cup.

Kettering Town were formed in 1872, turning professional in 1891. Recently, The Poppies, as they are known, won the Evo-stick title and promotion back to the top flight in the National League North for this season.

The last time we played Kettering Town was in the FA cup 4th round qualifier in 1983 which the Poppies won 3-2. Let’ s hope for a similar score line on Saturday, but in the Royals favour.

Hope as many of you as possible can make it to Kettering to cheer The Royals on.

Let’s hope we can battle and get another victory.

Come on you Royals.