Weir-Daley too hot for Market Drayton Town

The veteran hitman, whose travels have included a brief stop at Telford, demolished Town's FA Trophy ambitions almost single-handed on Saturday, scoring all but one of Kettering Town's goals in a 5-1 scoreline manager Martyn Davies described as very harsh.

"He is still a high class player and, on a big day in a big game, his finishing was the major difference," said Davies.

"Realistically, I've got to say Kettering probably deserved to go through, but that final score was very harsh on our lads and essentially down to him.

"We were never five goals worse than them. In fact, their bench made a point of coming over to say it was a harsh result. It was a nice gesture and I think most of the 350-plus crowd would agree.

"Fortunately, we're not likely to meet his caliber again this season so we can now get on with the league, hopefully starting with a double against Kidsgrove."

Town made a spirited start at Kettering with new signing Jud Ellis from Ellesmere Rangers out to impress in a midfield still including Stafford Rangers transfer target Will Whieldon.

Within eight minutes, Whieldon's header had sent keeper Dean Snedker full stretch for a corner Tyrell Payton headed just over and Aiden Haughton had blasted a great chance wide after racing clear.

Weir-Daley's opening goal, an untidy affair on 15 minutes, didn't stop Drayton's gallop. Unfortunately, their renewed efforts brought a string of free-kicks, which ultimately did, denying Town's youngsters their key weapons of speed and momentum.

Kettering's more experienced outfit, who play a level beyond Drayton in the Southern Premier League, gradually got a grip and it was keeper Ash Rawlins who began to figure most prominently for the visitors.

He had no chance, however, when former Nottingham Forest, Notts County and prolific Boston striker Weir-Daley volleyed Kettering's second on the hour, and added another six minutes later from Kevin Buxton's ill-judged back header.

Whieldon's overdue goal in the 86th minute highlighted a brief spell of hope for Town. But then that man Weir-Daley took a hand again, rifling in his best of the day and two minutes later teeing up Nathan Hicks to round off a crowd-pleasing goal-rush of five in the last half hour.