Kettering Town vs Bradford (Park Avenue): National League North Preview, Gameweek 2, 2022

Bradford (Park Avenue) travel to Latimer Park with high hopes as Kettering Town play their first home fixture of the 2022/23 National League North Season.

After a tough test against title favourites AFC Fylde, the Poppies hope to bounce back and kick off their 2022/23 National League North campaign with three points at home. Lee Glover's newly built side aim to climb the table and build on last season's success left by Ian Culverhouse and Paul Cox. Kettering barely missed out on play-offs last season drawing to Curzon Ashton in the final game. However the tables have turned as after losing their best players, Kettering fans now see a relegation battle on the horizon.

The Green Army put up an impressive battle against relegated Kings Lynn Town but were ultimately defeated in the final ten minutes. Mark Bower will look to improve on this when he visits Latimer Park this Saturday. BPA will hope to once again avoid relegation in a league which is tough to stay in after 4 relegation spots have been introduced.

• Team news

Kettering Town

In the defeat at Mill Farm, Lee Glover gave debuts to 10 Kettering Town players with more to come in the next two weeks. The Poppies lost many of their big hitters from the 2021/22 season including captain Connor Kennedy, player of the year Alex Brown along with many others leaving due to financial reasons.

George Cooper is due to arrive on loan from Mansfield after missing game week one due to an injury he sustained during playing for Mansfield in pre-season. George was also named on the bench during Mansfield's first league game of the season. He was a vital part of Ketterings defence for the majority of the 2021/23 season.

Lee Glover has brought in two loanees from Peterborough United, Andrew Oluwabori and Janos Bodnar.

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Mark Bower has loaned in Andre Brooks from Sheffield United and Shane Maroodza from Huddersfield in order to try and reinforce his team which has already improved from last season. Bower has built a very strong attack including ex-premier league player Oli Johnson and Jacob Blyth who carries a massive amount of football-league experience.

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•Likely lineups

Kettering Town

Gregory, Bodnar, Cooper, White, Toseland, Gascoigne, Oluwabori, Storher, Graham, Ward, Sharpe

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Skyes-Kenworthy, Odunston, Maroodza, Lund, Havern, Fielding, Spencer, Richman, Church, Johnson, Hopper

•Key Players

Andrew Oluwabori

Andrew is on loan to Kettering from Peterborough United u23s. He is an explosive right-winger who caught the eye of Kettering fans during his trial against Corby during pre-season.

Glover chose him to start against AFC Fylde and he contributed in the build-up toward Ketterings' only goal.

He was loaned out to Boreham Wood in the National League last season but did not get the game time he desired and needed to show his skills and gain valuable experience.

The Nigerian began his career at Huddersfield u18s before making the switch to Peterborough United.

Oli Johnson

A 34- year old veteran striker who regularly leads the line for BPA. having played in League Two, League One and the championship, Oli racks up 22 goals in 173 appearances.

The English striker joined BPA in 2017 from recently relegated Guiseley after originally leaving on loan.

In the early years of his career, Oli won the English 3rd division title with Norwich City who now play in the Championship.

•Match Details

Where is the game being played?

Kettering Town's home Latimer Park is a ground share with Burton Park Wanderers after Kettering lost ownership of Rockingham Road many years ago. The ground has drastically improved including many new stands and pitch improvements.