Richard Lavery: Kettering boss targets FA Cup upset against Northampton Town

Kettering Town boss Richard Lavery is targeting an FA Cup upset when his side host Northampton Town in the first round proper on Saturday.

The Poppies are a step below their League Two opponents in the football pyramid, but Lavery believes his team can cause a shock at Latimer Park.

"We're under no illusions about the size of the task, but we're going into the game with belief that we can win," Lavery said.

"We've prepared well and the players are excited about the challenge. We know we'll need to be at our best, but we're confident we can give a good account of ourselves."

Kettering Town have a good record in the FA Cup, having reached the third round twice in the past five seasons.

They will be looking to emulate their run to the fourth round in 2019-20, when they knocked out National League side Barnet in the first round.

Northampton Town are the highest-ranked team Kettering have ever faced in the FA Cup.

The Cobblers are currently 15th in League Two, but they have won their last two games in all competitions.

They will be looking to avoid an upset against Kettering, who are 10th in the National League North.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm on Saturday, November 5.

Here are some of the key talking points ahead of the game:

• Kettering Town are a step below Northampton Town in the football pyramid, but they have a good record in the FA Cup.
• The Poppies will be looking to emulate their run to the fourth round in 2019-20, when they knocked out National League side Barnet in the first round.
• Northampton Town are the highest-ranked team Kettering have ever faced in the FA Cup.
• The Cobblers are currently 15th in League Two, but they have won their last two games in all competitions.
• The match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm on Saturday, November 5.

Prediction:

This is a tough game to call, but I think Kettering Town can cause an upset.

They are a good team with a good record in the FA Cup, and they will be playing at home in front of their own fans.

Northampton Town are a higher-ranked team, but they have not been in great form recently.

I predict Kettering Town to win 2-1.