Ketteringvs.Doncaster

The hosts got past third-tier Northampton Town in the previous round, while the visitors began their campaign by beating Barrow.

Match preview

Kettering Town return to FA Cup action on Sunday aiming to extend their run and reach the third round for the first time since 2009, having last reached this stage the following season before being beaten by Leeds United.

The seventh-tier outfit had to progress through four qualifying rounds to reach November's first round, initially getting past Stafford Rangers, Cleethorpes Town and St Ives Town before meeting National League North side Farsley Celtic and progressing with a 2-1 away victory thanks to Isiah Noel-Williams's injury-time winner.

That set up a trip to third-tier Northampton Town in early November, and Richard Lavery's side advanced again with a historic upset, forcing extra time with a 1-1 draw thanks to Luca Miller's leveller before Nile Ranger netted the decisive goal at Sixfields early in the additional 30 minutes.

Such a victory has formed part of an eye-catching hot streak for the Northamptonshire outfit, who have now won 13 of their last 15 games in all competitions, sitting top of the Southern League Premier Central as a result, having most recently beaten Leiston 2-1 on Saturday with Jonny Edwards and Ranger on the scoresheet.

With confidence growing amidst an eye-catching run of form, Kettering Town will aim to add to their memorable cup run with another major scalp to punch a ticket to the third round.

They face another tricky test, though, as the visitors travel south aiming to extend a six-match unbeaten streak and add to their strong start to the League Two campaign with a third-round appearance.

Doncaster Rovers' last pleasing FA Cup run came in the 2020-21 campaign, and they have since failed to progress through this stage in three attempts, most recently suffering a second-round defeat to Peterborough United last year.

Their latest bid began with a trip to fellow fourth-tier outfit Barrow, and Grant McCann's side advanced with a 1-0 victory as Patrick Kelly netted the only goal seven minutes from time.

The Yorkshire side have since played out three consecutive draws to sit fourth in League Two, most recently sharing the points in a goalless stalemate away at Carlisle United, and only trail the automatic promotion spots on goal difference.

Doncaster Rovers will now bid to extend that unbeaten streak and make a return to winning ways to advance in the FA Cup before returning to league action away at Fleetwood Town on Tuesday.

Kettering Town FA Cup form:

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Kettering Town form (all competitions):

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Doncaster Rovers FA Cup form:

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Doncaster Rovers form (all competitions):

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Team News

Kettering should field a similar starting XI from their first-round victory over Northampton Town, with Nile Ranger bound to lead the line again having netted their winner in that game and got on the scoresheet again in the weekend's win over Leiston.

Luca Miller will hope to earn a start in the midfield after scoring the leveller off the bench, but Andi Thanoj should keep his place in the engine room while Jonny Edwards will continue to support the lone front man.

Defender Lewis White missed the Leiston contest, meaning Harlain Mbayo should again join captain Connor Johnson in the middle of the back four.

Grant McCann should field a strong Doncaster Rovers starting XI with a third-round place on the line, although Joe Sbarra should miss out after seeing his substitute appearance cut short against Carlisle last time out.

He will join Richard Wood in the treatment room, while defender Jay McGrath will be able to feature despite being sent off last time out in League Two and could again line up in a back three with Joseph Olowu and Joel Senior.

George Broadbent and Patrick Kelly will compete to join Owen Bailey in the midfield, while Joe Ironside and veteran Billy Sharp will both hope to lead the line with support from wingers Luke Molyneux and Jordan Gibson.

Kettering Town possible starting lineup:

Jezeph; Hart, Mbayo, Johnson, Powell; Stohrer, Thanoj; Wilson, Edwards, York; Ranger

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Sharman-Lowe; Olowu, McGrath, Senior; Sterry, Broadbent, Bailey, Maxwell; Gibson, Ironside, Molyneux

We say: Kettering Town 0-2 Doncaster Rovers

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