Gary Hackett looks to his big-game players

A crowd of around 1,500 is expected at the War Memorial Ground for the clash between the Southern Central’s top two.

Stour sit one point ahead of the visitors at the summit and are aiming to bounce back from last weekend’s shock defeat at Hitchin, their first in the league since November.

Hackett said: “We always look forward to the big games and our record in them over recent years has been very good.

“This has all the makings of another special occasion and the players need no extra motivation. They will be up for it.

“We have a huge respect for Kettering and there is a lot to play for. Ultimately, what happens tomorrow won’t be decisive. But there is no point trying to play down the importance of the match.”

Boss Hackett is ready for the challenge posed by Marcus Law and his team, despite a late scouting mission to watch tomorrow’s opponents being ruined by the weather.

The Stour boss and assistant Jon Ford were five miles away from Kettering’s Latimer Park home when Tuesday’s game with Coalville was called off due to snow.

Hackett explained: “The trip ended up being in vain. But we’ve done our homework and know what to expect.”

Elsewhere in Southern Central, second-bottom Halesowen Town will look to bridge the three-point gap to safety and haul hosts Barwell towards trouble.

Meanwhile, resurgent Rushall Olympic make the short trip to Alvechurch hunting their fourth win in a row.

“We’re building some momentum now and the next game can’t come around quickly enough,” said manager, Liam McDonald. “It’s a local derby against a side who have done well so far this season, so we are looking forward to pitting our wits against them. We know that if we put in the kind of performance that we have done over the last three or four games, we’ll give ourselves every chance of securing another positive result.

“A few more wins under our belt would take our confidence to another level. We have spoken about how quickly back-to-back victories can move you up the table and that is what we are looking to do as we set our sights on a place in the top ten.

“At the moment, though, we are just taking it one game at a time. The drive and focus of the players has been near-perfect recently and long may that continue.”

Stafford Rangers climbed out of the relegation zone last weekend and will look to pull further clear of the bottom three by backing that up with victory at play-off-chasing Gainsborough Trinity.

Hednesford Town, who are hovering just three points above their Staffordshire rivals, will also look to build on a win last week when they visit Bamber Bridge – one of a clutch of sides they could overtake into mid-table tomorrow.

Chasetown host Colwyn Bay in Northern One West, while Kidderminster Harriers will hope to overcome Alfreton Town and move back into the National North play-offs.