Brilliant Barton Rovers rout Kettering Town on their return home

Brillant Barton Rovers shocked Kettering Town on Tuesday as they triumphed 3-0 to claim their first Calor Southern League Division One Central victory of the season.

Ravishing Rovers proved real party-poopers for the nomadic Poppies, who were returning to their home borough after more recently playing their games at Steel Park Corby and Rushden & Diamonds’ old ground Nene Park, as the Blues won out in front of a bumper crowd of 789 spectators.

Bobby Dance opened the scoring with a 25-yard screamer on 22 minutes as Barton led at the break.

They doubled their lead four minutes into the second half through Ricky Case’s deft header and wrapped it up just after the hour through Nat Peacock’s sweetly-struck low shot from an acute angle.

Boss Dan Kennoy said: “It’s a relief to get that first win of the season and to do it in front of nearly 800 away fans shows great character from the lads, many of which have never played in front of this many people before.

“We need to try and get 800 home fans at Sharpenhoe Road each game, we might then see these type of performances more often.

“Seriously though, from numbers one to 11 tonight everyone did their jobs extremely well and proved that the potential is there when we all pull in the right direction and work hard for each other.”

The result completed a great week for Barton who earned a point from Saturday’s opening day 1-1 draw, courtesy of skipper Tommy Hull’s 89th-minute equaliser from the spot.

Rovers head to Beaconsfield SYCOB on Saturday and entertain Leighton Town on Monday.