Poppies and Terras to collide in the battle for home supremacy

The battle to earn home supremacy in the Evo-Stik South League Premier play-offs is set to reach fever pitch at Latimer Park tonight (Thursday).

With Hereford having been crowned as champions after their 1-0 victory at Biggleswade Town on Tuesday night and the four play-off teams already confirmed, attention now turns to see who will finish in second and third to earn home advantage in the semi-finals.

Kettering Town moved back into third spot after their 7-0 demolition of rock-bottom Gosport Borough on the south coast on Tuesday night as Brett Solkhon, Mathew Stevens and Rene Howe all scored twice while Aaron O’Connor hit his 37th goal in all competitions this season. They are just ahead of Weymouth on goal difference with the Terras being the visitors to Latimer Park this evening.

The Poppies, who have now scored an incredible 111 goals in the league this season, also have the games to overtake King’s Lynn Town and secure second place which would also guarantee home advantage in the play-off final should they make it that far.

But, for the time being, it’s all eyes on tonight’s huge clash with Weymouth which is then followed by a trip to take on the newly-crowned champions at Edgar Street on Saturday.

Poppies boss Marcus Law is hoping the fans will turn out in force for his team’s fourth game in the space of seven days this evening. And he insists his team must target second spot while there is still a chance of getting it. “We want to see a big crowd,” Law said. “And, on our part, we want to produce a big performance to show what we are capable of doing. “We have pulled out all the stops this season and it’s just unfortunate that four other clubs have done the same.

Read more at: Jon Dunham - Northants Telegraph