BAILEY: WE'LL GIVE POPPIES THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE

OWEN Bailey knows exactly how pumped up seventh-tier Kettering Town will be when Doncaster Rovers roll into ramshackle Latimer Park today.

- Chris Dunlavy

After all, it is only a couple of years since the 25-year-old Donny midfielder was standing in their shoes.

Bailey, a product of the Newcastle youth system, was playing for Gateshead in 202122 when the National League North side battled through four rounds and two replays to secure a glamour tie against Charlton at the International Stadium.

Though the Addicks triumphed 2-0 on Tyneside, they were under siege for lengthy stretches of the contest and Bailey is expecting a similar challenge against the Southern Premier Central leaders, who stunned League One Northampton in the first round.

"I remember exactly how I felt going into that game," says Bailey, whose team-mates that day included current Millwall striker Macaulay Langstaff.

"You want to show that you can do it at that level and show you can mix it with the players that are in a higher league. We did that, and I think the boost that gave us and that confidence we gained was actually really important in us winning the league that year. It was like 'Okay, we really are a good team'.

"So, yeah, I know there'll be a lot of lads playing for Kettering who've got a point to prove and who want to make a mark.

Incentive

"But in the same breath, we're kind of in the same boat.

We also want to prove ourselves against the best and if we get through this then we might have an opportunity to play one of the biggest teams in the world.