Blyth’s season has been characterised by performances which can blow hot or cold with little obvious rhyme or reason. Saturday’s performance though was certainly on the hot side.

Asked about why his team can’t perform to Saturday’s level week on week Blyth manager Harry Dunn suggested, “If I knew that I’d be managing Chelsea or Manchester United – I haven’t got a clue! “But I told my lads before the Kettering game that if they played as they did against Hinckley and Hucknall Saturday’s result would be like a cricket score. I emphasised that we were still in the mire and we needed to keep the ball on the ground more and with Adie Webster in the hole behind the front two and Gareth Williams sweeping up at the back our system worked a treat.”

Dunn had nothing but praise for the whole team. “After the first ten minutes when Kettering showed good movement we dominated and got the ball down and played. The fact that Kettering are a footballing side actually helped us. Steve Birks and Alex Gildea did a great job for us in the middle, Kenny Boyle returning at left back was excellent, and Gary Brown in defence was my Man of the Match. Adam Bartlett in our goal had little to do – we combated them so well. “Robbie Dale up front was struggling with his fitness but managed to put in some excellent crosses from wide positions which is where I wanted him to play, away from the big two Kettering central defenders. “All in all it was our best result of the season and our best performance too.”

It certainly was a resolute showing by the home side with Gary Brown’s tenacity and uncompromising play being the outstanding feature. Arguably it was the best display of central defending from a Blyth player for many a year and one which bodes well for the side as the 20 year old gains more experience. The Spartans’ showing was also characterised by its sustained enterprise – matching the full timers of Kettering for fitness and endeavour.

Visiting officials handed out complimentary red and white flags to their large band of travelling supporters before kick off. The resulting colourful crowd spectacle in the opening minutes gradually dissipated with the Kettering fans lowering their standards as result of Blyth’s on the pitch variety starting out high and resolutely remaining so.

The prematch air of triumphalism gradually switched between the groups of supporters as the game approached its conclusion. It was almost as if a series of Mexican waves swept across the all-seater Port of Blyth Stand as the whole crowd stood up as one to applaud each of the three substituted players in turn as Dunn took them off within minutes of each other in the dying moments. And there was one final flourish from the home crowd as they rose to hail the winning team as a whole on the final whistle.

The Kettering manager Mark Cooper was gracious in defeat. “He said we deserved to win,” commented Dunn. “He also said that we were as good as any side Kettering had played this season.”

In all likelihood the Northamptonshire side’s party will happen soon as they remain eight points clear at the top of the Blue Square North. Meanwhile, however, it was party time for the Blyth supporters this weekend and for two players as well. Captain, and longest serving player, Gareth Williams was out on Saturday night celebrating his 28th birthday while debutant striker Ged Dalton was 18 on Sunday