Having been promoted as champions of Conference North, Mark Cooper's side were not expected to be challenging among the frontrunners this season but the Poppies have proved to be one of the surprise packages.
Their start to the campaign was not spectacular as Kettering drew all four of their opening matches 1-1.

However, they won five of their next six, with the other match in that spell also ending in a 1-1 stalemate, which meant that after ten matches, Kettering boasted the only unbeaten record in the Blue Square Premier and they topped the table.

A first defeat came against Burton Albion on September 22, with Kettering losing 1-0, and a second consecutive reversal – by the same scoreline – came in their next outing against Crawley Town
Cynics might have thought that Kettering's bid to keep up with the leading pack was over.

However, Cooper's side bounced back from those back-to-back defeats in spectacular fashion, winning all four of their league matches in October.

A mixed bag of results followed in November, but eighth place Kettering are only three points away from the play-offs and a further seven off top spot, and the Poppies have games in hand on almost all the sides above them.

And while Kettering can be happy with a 33 point return from their opening 19 league matches, Cooper's side are enjoying success on the cup front too.

Entering the FA Cup at the final qualifying stage, Kettering disposed of Blue Square Premier highfliers Burton Albion 3-0 to seal a first round tie against League Two outfit Lincoln City. And after the sides had been locked at 1-1, Kettering stunned their opponents by winning the replay 2-1.

Next up for the ecstatic Kettering in round two was a trip to League Two side Notts County, last Sunday, and the Poppies came away from Meadow Lane with a 1-1 draw.

The sides will do battle in a replay at Kettering's Rockingham Road on Wednesday with the prize for the winners a third round tie at home against another giantkilling side, Eastwood Town of the Unibond League Premier Division.

Setanta Sports are screening the clash with County, meaning Kettering have scooped £40,000 after their replay was chosen for live coverage, while an extra £30,000 is available to the winners of the tie.

With Kettering also expecting a big crowd for the visit of County, chairman Imraan Ladak is delighted with the cash injection.

"It's no secret that trying to run a club in the Blue Square Premier can be expensive," said Ladak.

"We are in a financial climate that sees everyone struggling a bit and when you get a boost like this it has to be welcomed.

"The FA Cup is very important to clubs like ours. Hopefully our run will continue a while longer."

Brett Solkhon's goal gave Kettering the lead against County before they were pegged back, and the midfielder described it as his best moment at the club.
"It was just an unbelievable feeling," he said. "To score in front of our fans – who were just fantastic for us – was amazing.
"It is the best feeling I've had for myself in the six years I've had a Kettering.
"It was unfortunate for us that we then conceded a bit of a soft goal. But at least we've got another chance."

And after receiving that home draw against Eastwood Solkhon said Kettering have got a good chance to go further in the competition if they can see off County: "We were the better side and, like we did against Lincoln in the last round, we've showed we can compete with sides at this level," added Solkhon.

"We'll take the positives from this because we know we have a great chance of doing something at home in the replay.

"It's a great chance for us, but first and foremost the manager's not going to let us think about that.

"But if we can get through we have a great opportunity to get even further."

Kettering are also enjoying a good run in another cup competition – the Setanta Shield.

The Poppies needed extra-time to progress as they edged out hosts Hinckley United 3-2; and after previously beating Bishop's Stortford and Thurrock, Cooper's side have now reached the quarter-final stage of the competition.

Cooper, who was appointed manager in May 2007 and led Kettering to the Conference North title in his first season in charge, is expected to continue with Lee Harper in goal.

John Dempster, Exodus Geohaghan, Guy Branston and Tommy Jaszczun should form the Kettering back-line, with Alfie Potter, Brett Solkhon, Andre Boucaud and Craig Westcarr operating in midfield.

Iyseden Christie, Jean-Paul Marna and Mark Rawle, who re-joined the club from Redditch United before last month's transfer deadline, are vying for the two starting places in attack.