Hockaday chases performance at Kettering
FOREST Green travel to Northamptonshire to take on Kettering Town on Tuesday night in a rearranged league fixture (7:45pm).
The two previous attempts to play this fixture have both fallen foul of the weather, although Kettering picked up a 1-0 win when they visited the New Lawn back in October.
But Rovers confidence going into the game will be boosted by their hard working win over Gateshead at the weekend and manager Dave Hockaday is hoping his side can pull off a second consecutive win.
“I’m looking for a good performance,” said Hockaday. “If we perform well and if we perform better than we did today (against Gateshead) then Kettering are going to have to go some to get something from us.”
Kettering went winless for 12 games through November, December and the first half of January, shipping 38 goals in the process, and struggled to field a full squad for most fixtures due to financial problems.
But just of late the Poppies have begun to turn things around at home, with battling wins over Gateshead and Lincoln City, before Saturday’s 0-3 loss away to Barrow.
Embroiled in a tough relegation battle at the lower end of the Blue Square Bet Premier drop zone, Kettering will no doubt be scrapping to try and gain the points needed to secure their Conference status for next season.
Hockaday said: “It’s a typical British mentality. They are a cornered animal and so that makes it more difficult for us.
“Every game in this league is difficult so we need to go there and to prepare ourselves properly and if we perform then we’ve got to be happy with that.”
Chris Todd is fit for selection if called upon although it is still expected to be too soon for Reece Styche, Curtis McDonald or James Rowe to return.
Meanwhile Al Bangura and Kieron Forbes remain definite absentees as they continue their rehabilitation on return from injury.
The FGR Supporters Club are running a coach to the game for Rovers fans interested in following the team at Nene Park. To book a seat and for further details give Sam Reid a call on 01666 505 519.
Ticket prices:
Adults £18 Concession £14 Under 16 £7 Under 11 £4
