PLAYER-MANAGER Mark Jermyn vows to stand behind his goalkeeper Shane Murphy after his charged down back pass led to Kettering’s second goal in the 2-0 defeat to the Poppies.

Murphy was given the gloves ahead of Jordan Mullis and Alan Walker-Harris over the summer and the manager is willing to give him time.

Speaking about his stopper, Jermyn said: “Shane is such a young keeper and he hasn’t played a lot of football, so he will make mistakes.

“It is important that we back him and give him those opportunities to make it right.

“He is an exceptional keeper but he lost concentration, and it is something that we are working to help him with.”

Four debutants started for the county town side in the loss and the manager, who played the full 90 minutes, was impressed with them.

He added: “David Jerrard was exceptional and our Portsmouth loanee Dory Yates played really well.

“The thing with our squad is that it is young.

“It is important that they get to grips with the league quickly and playing against teams like Kettering is something they’re not used to.

“They have to come of age at this club quickly.”