LAW’S NOT SEDUCED BY ROMANCE OF THE CUP
Poppies perform but boss just wanted win
KETTERING TOWN manager Marcus Law rediscovered his hatred of the beautiful game after his side fell to two sucker-punches at the EBB Stadium despite a superb second-half resurgence.
Scott Rendell’s early tap-in and a late 25-yard screamer from Adam McDonnell sealed the Shots’ progress but Law was reluctant to accept the plaudits as plucky underdogs.
“It’s not fair and sometimes I hate the game,” admitted Law with only a modicum of irony after his side built an impressive head of steam in the closing stages.
“People say you must love football, and you’re going to go there to enjoy the day – no, not really! I’m not here to have fun. Me and my players are all about winning, and football is about scoring more goals than the opposition.
“There were key moments, we had two one-on-ones at 1-0. We asked big questions of them, and it’s taken an absolute worldie to take the wind out of our sails.”
The Poppies, 31 places below the Shots and looking to reach the first round for the first time in seven years to keep up their pedigree as Non-League FA Cup kings, could have been ahead in 75 seconds, as Rhys Hoenes glanced a close-range header wide from Lindon Meikle’s inswinging cross.
Soon, Paul White made the first of several excellent saves, to parry Rendell’s point-blank overhead kick, but on 16 minutes he could only get a hand to McDonnell’s low drive which allowed Rendell to follow-up with ease to put the hosts ahead.
Kettering were lively opposition, as Michael Richens headed over and Meikle’s shot faded wide of the far-post, but Rendell headed into the side-netting and White blocked Shamir Fenelon’s angled shot to deny Aldershot Town the comfort of a two-goal cushion.
White was again crucial, in saving McDonnell’s drive towards the far corner of the net on 49 minutes, but steadily Kettering roused themselves with a vengeance. Ben
Milnes robbed a hesitant George Fowler only to be denied by goalkeeper Will Mannion, and the introduction of Peterborough loanee Andrea Borg and fit-again Aaron O’Connor, top scorer for the Poppies last season, fuelled their fire even further.
The Shots, in contrast, were becoming sluggish and Hoenes went down as he danced around Mannion at the end of a lightning counter-attack on 70 minutes, but passionate Poppies’ appeals fell on deaf ears.
Mannion touched O’Connor’s shot around the far-post and four minutes later McDonnell sealed Shots’ passage into the first round: fed by Rendell, he cut inside and swerved a fine shot into the top corner.
“Kettering gave a very good account of themselves and the score doesn’t reflect how well they played,” concurred a magnanimous Shots manager, Gary Waddock.
“They’re top of their league for a reason and they’ve got some good experience in their squad.
“I knew it was going to be a difficult game and we were fortunate today. But we’re due some luck, especially in cup competitions. We’re into the draw and that’s the most important thing.”