Mention the name Kettering Town FC and most people will instantly think of the James Acaster comedy sketch, making up a chant for the Northamptonshire-based football club.
However, this season, they have captivated the hearts of football fans up and down the country with a record-breaking run to the Second Round of the FA Cup, with a thrilling extra-time win over rivals Northampton Town in Round 1 setting up a mouthwatering tie with Doncaster Rovers in Round Two.
Not only that, but their team is littered with well-known non-league names and players you may recognise from spells in the bright lights, glitz and glamour of the Premier League. This little club have all the ingredients to be the story of the season in the worlds greatest cup competition.
Playing at step 3 of the Non-League pyramid, their run started with a 2-1 win over Stafford Rangers thanks to a Kai Fifield double. After this narrow win, few of the Poppies persuasion would've envisioned the cup journey they would embark on.
A late Nile Ranger penalty in the Second Qualifying Round against Cleethorpes Town sealed a place in the Third Qualifying Round - setting up a match against ST Ives Town - a match that Kettering won with aplomb.
The late show was on the road this time, as Isiah Noel Williams prodded the ball home late on to seal a 2-1 win over higher-ranked Farsley Celtic in 4QR to set up the now-famous trip to Sixfields and the clash with local rivals Northampton Town in the FA Cup First Round.
Former Celtic man Gary Hooper was on the bench at Sixfields as the part-time Poppies downed a team 76 places above them at the time of the tie, which will live long in the memory of every single Poppies supporter.
Nile Ranger, once again over the demons of his early career scored another memorable goal to seal an away win and set up a tie with Doncaster Rovers in the Second Round of the competition. To be expected, Latimer Park is a sell-out for the visit of Rovers, with Richard Lavery’s side looking to create even more history.
By Finley Chung
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