Boss Cox delighted as Kettering Town deliver a win for the fans

Paul Cox was delighted to give the Kettering Town fans something to cheer about on their return to Latimer Park.

The Poppies supporters were back in their home ground for the first time in nine months due to the Covid-19 pandemic and an attendance of 637 were rewarded as their team claimed a 2-1 success over Blyth Spartans to make it four games without defeat in the Vanarama National League North.

Cox’s team are showing signs that they are recovering from a disappointing start to the campaign with the victory lifting them up to 15th place after they had been bottom of the pile early on.

But the win was made all the more sweeter with fans back in the ground.

“I just wanted to reward the fans and it was lovely to have them back,” the Poppies boss said.

“I heard some of the applause in the first half when we were trying to play a bit on the tough surface so immediately, I appreciate that the fans can see what we are trying to do.

“I thought they were great, particularly in the last five minutes when we were maybe getting a bit anxious. They got behind the boys and these fans did the same to me as a player.

“They have always been tremendous to me and I am just pleased they are back in now because I am sick of listening to my own voice!

“It is such a different feel and you realise just how social this game is.

“We have missed them and hopefully we have rewarded them, not just with three points but a good performance.”

Kettering were certainly well worth all three points, although Cox conceded his team “made hard work” of it at times.

They were dominant in the first half and goals from Ryan Fryatt and recent signing Callum Powell - with his third in as many games - giving them a 2-0 lead.

But they didn’t take their chances after the break and Powell was out of luck as a fine strike cannoned back off the crossbar.

And Blyth got back into it when, shortly after Adam Collin had produced a fine save to deny Jamie Clark, the Poppies stopper was beaten by a cross-cum-shot from substitute Kurtis Russell.

However, Kettering dug in to see the game out and Cox felt his team were worthy winners.

“I thought we made hard work of it at times, if I am totally honest,” he said.

“We were so in control of the first half and for large parts of the second half and we really needed to finish them off.

“But then they scored and, like any team, we became a bit anxious and lost our shape a little bit.

These are things we need to work on, that little bit of knowhow.

“I think we have got a monkey off our back because of the way games have gone at home so far.

“There was a real desire to win the game but when Blyth scored we became a bit anxious and they raised their game.

“But I don’t think anyone can complain at the final result, we were very dominant for large parts but we need to start finishing off the half-chances to kill teams off.

“A win is a win. I think it’s the first time we have won two games on the bounce since my first two games in charge, which is positive, we are unbeaten in four and the league table looks a little bit healthier for us going into two very tough games.

“What I don’t want to do is complain. We have come into the dressing-room after the games with Southport and Curzon Ashton feeling we deserved something but got nothing.

“So I am not going to complain at winning a game 2-1. I thought we should have scored more goals but it’s three points and it’s good for our mindset and confidence.

“We have got to be pleased with the way we have turned a bit of negativity into positivity.”