Evo-Stik Southern preview as Kettering try to extend their lead

By Matt Bishop
KETTERING Town will be hoping the battle of promotion rivals around them can help extend their lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Southern Premier table tonight.
The Poppies have dropped just three points from a possible 30 so far this term and put their leadership on the line on a night where the top four are all in action.
But Marcus Law's side will not find life easy at ninth-placed Biggleswade Town, who have won four out of their five home fixtures so far this term.
Elsewhere, though, second-placed Slough Town face a difficult – and long – trip to south Wales to take on a Merthyr Town side, still unbeaten at Penydarren Park and who can move to within two points of them in the promotion mix with victory.
Hereford, in third, will be hoping to make up ground when they make the trip to mid-table Banbury United, likewise fourth placed King's Lynn Town who host Hitchin Town with former Premier League aces Grant Holt and Simon Lappin standing by to make their debuts.
At the bottom, St Ives Town will be looking to make up some ground when they make the trip to newly-promoted mid-table side Royston Town, as will Dunstable Town, who will be looking to build on their first win of the season against Farnborough on Saturday when they go to St Neots Town.
Both have a cushion from bottom club Gosport Borough, whose woes continued on Monday night when they crashed to a 7-2 away defeat at Dorchester Town. Aaron Rodriguez led the win with a hat-trick for the Magpies, who climb to 20th.
Also this midweek, Bishop's Stortford, in 18th, take on a Chesham United side just one place ahead of them, while on Wednesday night, Spencer Day's Farnborough host seventh-placed Weymouth.