CHESTER will face ‘a fight’ for the three points in Tuesday night's clash at Kettering Town, says Anthony Johnson.

In the second of three consecutive fixtures against newly-promoted National League North sides, the Blues head into the game buoyed by Saturday’s 2-1 home success over Farsley Celtic.

And after some battling displays from his side already this season, joint-manager Johnson insists that a midweek trip to Latimer Park will test his side’s mettle once more.

Speaking after the Farsley result, he said: “When you look at the fixture list I think people looked at the three games including today and then Kettering and and Gloucester and thought ‘right there’s three new sides’.

“But we look at it as the unknown - we don’t know anything about them from last season.

“Then you look at what Farsley have done this season - beating Darlington and then getting a great point at York.”

On Tuesday's trip to Northamptonshire, he added: “It’s a difficult game. It’s a cliche, but they’re all tough sides. They’ll have momentum - a bit like Farsley - and at home they’re going to want to put things right after a loss.

“The pitch is rubbish. We’ve seen what it’s like and it will be similar to what we played on in pre-season, so we’re going to have to be going there for a fight and it’s all about picking more points up.”

Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side remain unbeaten this term after games against Boston United, Altrincham and Farsley.

After taking a five-point haul from those fixtures, Johnson has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far.

He said: “If someone would have said that to us at the beginning of the season - we’d have taken that. It’s been a seven out of ten start.”

Dutch striker Akwasi Asante, who completed the warm-up ahead of the Farsley game, could feature for the first time this season after overcoming injury.

Discussing team news for tonight’s game, Johnson added: “He’s fully fit and ready to go. He could have been involved (against Farsley), but Matty Hughes, who missed out with a bug on Tuesday, did really well when he came on.

“James Jones will be back in this week and Iwan Murray I think will probably be passed fit to play. We’re looking in good health in that aspect.”

Kettering will be out to recover from back-to back defeats, with the Poppies suffering a 3-0 reverse at Darlington on Saturday.

"When you look at the fixture list I think people ooked at the three games including today and then Ketterig and and Gloucester and thought - right there's three new sides. But we look at it as the unkown - we don't know anything about them from last season. The you look at what Farsley ahve done this season - beating Darlington and a great point at York.

Kettering 4:36 onwards

5/9 If someone would have said to that to us at the beginning of the season - we'd have taken that. It's ben a seven out of ten start.

Gary Roberts - 'Tight hamstring. With this hybrid model we've moved to - lads are going to take time to adapt. We've said from minute one that it will be mid to late September where we atsrt to see the fruits of our labour with that. It's just tight, so we're just going to have to manage him this week.

Kettering:

Gave an update on Akwasi Asante, who warmed-up with the Blues ahead of the Farsley game: "He's fully fit and ready to go. He could have been involved today (against Farsley). James Jones will be back in this week and Iwan Murray I think will probably be passed fit to play. We're looking in good health in that aspect.