Kettering Town 2 Blyth Spartans 1 - Jon Dunham’s review

Jon Dunham gives his verdict on a good day for the Poppies…

The mini revival continues and the Poppies were well worth all three points.

It’s been an encouraging turnaround for the Poppies over the last four matches.

Despite it now being December, it remains early days in this season but there was definitely a bit of uneasiness around when they found themselves at the foot of the table after five games.

But a couple of draws and now back-to-back wins have given things a healthier look.

The victory at Kidderminster Harriers last Tuesday night was as impressive as they come and they followed it up in the right manner.

Overall, they were worthy winners on the tough surface at Latimer Park.

They were particularly good in the first half and were well worth their 2-0 lead at half-time, given to them by a thumping header from Ryan Fryatt and a deflected effort from the impressive Callum Powell.

There were further chances to put the game beyond doubt with Kyle Perry hitting the post and Powell seeing a terrific strike cannon back off the crossbar.

But the third goal didn’t come and, credit to Blyth because they were better in the second half and they got a lifeline when Kurtis Russell’s cross-cum-shot floated over Adam Collin and dropped into the net.

That, understandably, created a few nerves on the pitch and the terraces but, in general, Kettering managed the game well and saw it out.

It was a well-deserved win and the unbeaten run now stands at four.

Paul Cox deserves some credit, he saw things weren’t quite working and his signings have worked - so far...

It’s one thing if things don’t pan out how you might have expected. But it’s a completely different thing in recognising the fact and then doing something about it.

It’s not to say things were drastically bad in the very early stages of the season but the Poppies were making too many mistakes and being punished for them.

Paul Cox felt he needed to react and he has done so by making some changes in personnel. And, so far, it seems to have paid off.

Kyle Perry, who seems to be adored by fans of just about every club he has played for, has given the Poppies a real presence in attack - something that was clearly missing early on.

Callum Powell looks a constant menace and has pace to burn, Rhys Sharpe has settled in well on the left-hand side and the most recent recruit Jevan Anderson had an impressive debut at the back in this game.

The new signings have made a difference while Michael Richens also deserves a mention as he has worked his way back into the starting line-up and is doing the dirty work in midfield.

The slight changes have made a difference and it was clear to see on this day.

And for that, Cox can take the credit.

Another huge test now lies ahead on Tuesday night.

Another midweek away game is now approaching and it’s probably as tough as they come as Kettering head to pre-season title favourites York City on Tuesday night.

The Minstermen’s league position is, perhaps, slightly false at the moment as they have had a stop-start beginning to the campaign.

They’ve only been beaten once in seven matches and were 2-1 winners over Chester on Saturday.

But Kettering will head there with plenty of confidence and belief.

Few would have given them a chance of winning 2-0 at Kidderminster Harriers last Tuesday night but they did just that and now they will have to find another big performance on the road.

If they return from North Yorkshire with their unbeaten record extended to five matches then it will represent a big step forward.

The final word has to go to the fans, it was fantastic to have them back.

Yes, indeed. The final word does have to go to the Kettering Town fans.

They, like other supporters across the country, have had to live without watching their team for a number of months and the day when they could come back to Latimer Park was always going to have a special feel to it.

And so it proved.

I’ve already said that watching league matches behind closed doors this season felt like watching pre-season friendlies but a bit colder.

But there was a real sense of normality as the fans made their long-awaited return.

The attendance of 637 was more than respectable in the current circumstances and, although I didn’t witness it at first hand, it seemed that things went reasonably smoothly given the ‘new normal’ fans must adjust to.

In the future, I am sure watching football matches in the way people are used to will become the norm again.

For the time being, this is the way it is and fans have a responsibility to follow the guidance clubs put in place. It’s the only way we can keep things as normal as possible.

In general, it seems the Poppies fans did what they needed to do.

The atmosphere was great, the roar when the opening goal went in had nine months of frustration in it and, in the end, they went home happy with three points in the bag.

It was great to see them back where they belong and let’s hope they can stay for good from this point onwards.