We got what we deserved, says Kettering Town boss Cox

Luke Graham gets a lift from Gary Stohrer after the Kettering Town captain scored his team's first goal in their 2-0 victory at Kidderminster Harriers. Pictures by Peter Short

Paul Cox felt his Kettering Town players got everything they deserved as they claimed an impressive 2-0 victory at Kidderminster Harriers last night (Tuesday).

It’s not been the easiest of starts for the Poppies in the Vanarama National League North but they picked up their first away win of the season and inflicted only a second defeat of the campaign the high-flying Harriers at Aggborough.

Captain Luke Graham opened the scoring 12 minutes into the second half as he slid in to convert Kyle Perry’s cross at the far post.

Luke Graham slides in to open the scoring at Aggborough

And the in-form Connor Kennedy doubled the advantage when he scored his fifth goal of the season with recent signing Perry again being the provider.

The victory means the Poppies are now unbeaten in their last three matches after a 1-1 home draw with Guiseley and last weekend’s 3-3 stalemate at Hereford in which Callum Powell scored twice and Ryan Fryatt was also on target while Michael McGrath was sent-off for two bookable offences.

But Cox felt his team carried on from where they left off in the second half at Hereford and he is hoping the fine win at Kidderminster will help install some “inner belief” into his players.

“I thought we followed on from the second-half performance at Hereford to be honest,” the Kettering manager said.

Poppies boss Paul Cox was pleased with his team's performance as they secured a first away win of the season

“We didn’t do too much with the team, we didn’t make many adjustments but I thought it was just a continuation from the weekend.

“We showed some great belief with the ball and I thought our shape without the ball was really good against a really good side.

“The surface was good, we took to that and created good chances and we defended resolutely. I don’t think anyone can say we didn’t deserve to win the game.

“It was a good performance, we played some good stuff and, for once, we got what we deserved out of the game which hasn’t really been the trend in the early part of the season.

“No-one is getting carried away and one swallow doesn’t make a summer but from the second half at Hereford to the whole 90 minutes of this game, there was a real change in the belief.

“The pre-season and early-season confidence seemed to come back into us and I think we all really enjoyed it, it’s certainly the liveliest I have seen the boys after a game!

“That can only give the lads the inner belief that they can be competitive this season.”

The Poppies are now preparing for Saturday when they will be back at Latimer Park to take on Blyth Spartans in a game that will see supporters back in the ground for the first time in nine months.