Report | Blyth lose at Kettering despite late surge

By Liam O'Brien

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

Vanarama National League North

Saturday December 5th 2020

KETTERING TOWN 2-1 BLYTH SPARTANS

Blyth Spartans suffered a 2-1 defeat away at Kettering Town, despite a late fightback following Kurt Russell's first goal for the club.

It was one-way traffic in the first-half as The Poppies took just 10 minutes to take the lead with a header from Ryan Fryatt.

Callum Powell then added a second for the home side just before half-time with a deflected shot past Brad Young.

Spartans were better in the second-half but it was too little too late as Russell's cross-come-shot proved nothing more than consolation.

JJ O'Donnell and under-19s forward Jamie Clark made their Blyth debuts, with Paul Blackett and Connor Thomson both ruled out through injury.

Kettering were allowed fans at the game for the first time since March and the 637 fans made sure that Spartans knew they were there.

Kettering controlled large parts of the game in the first-half as Fryatt opened the scoring when he got on the end of a free-kick to head home unmarked.

Fryatt almost made it 2-0 eight minutes later, when he got on the end of another free-kick delivery but his close-range effort went wide.

The post soon came to Blyth's recue when a corner led to a frenzy in the box before a series of blocks allowed the visitors to clear.

Powell did eventually double Kettering's lead. A long throw was cleared out to the winger, who was fortunate to see his shot deflect past Young.

Deb­utant O'Donnell registered Blyth first shot on goal on 52 minutes, prompting the away side into their best spell on the game.

Kettering dropped deep but still found the energy to counter-attack as Powell was denied his second of the afternoon by the crossbar.

O'Donnell got another chance to score for Spartans when he managed to get his head on the end of a cross from Clark but his effort went just wide of the far post.

Clark's performance was particularly pleasing for Blyth.

Blyth had two big chances in the 68th-minute with Adam Collin having to dive low for Clark's low shot before Simon Heslop's effort went over the bar.

Russell made it a nervy final 15 minutes ­for the home side and their supporters when his cross-come-shot looped over the head of Collin.

Spartans kept applying the pressure but Kettering were able to see the game out.

Spartans: Young, Evans, Scott (Griffths, 45), Elsdon, Thackray (Russell, 66), Heslop (c), Nelson, Cain (McKeown, 46), Amantchi, O'Donnell, Clark. Subs not used: Sakellaropoulos, Pearson

Goals: Russell (72)

Kettering Town: Collin, Stohrer, Anderson, Milnes, Fryatt, Graham (c), Powell, Kennedy, Perry (Pryce, 87), Richens, Sharpe (Sheriff, 82). Subs Not Used: Stephens, Scott, Williams

Goals: Fryatt (10) Powell (42)

Referee: Matthew Scholes

Attendance : 637