Is it time for a formation reality check for the Linnets?

Kettering Town 2 King's Lynn Town 1

The Southern League Premier Division Central won't be won in August, but two defeats from their opening two matches is hardly the start King's Lynn Town would have wanted.

Although there was only one goal in it, Simon Clark's side were well-beaten in Northamptonshire by a solid Poppies outfit who will surely be up there come the end of the season.

During their opening two games, the Linnets have lacked two things going forward. One is width and the second is the ability to switch to the flanks.

Last season, the diamond formation worked wonders under former boss Ian Culverhouse but, as it stands, the club don't currently have the right personnel to try to operate the same system.

Tuesday night's result could have been so different had Michael Clunan - Lynn's scorer in the second half - not seen his penalty saved by Paul White in the first 45 minutes but in all fairness a draw would have been harsh on the hosts.

Lynn were unable to deal with the pace of Rhys Hoeness who won - and scored - both of Kettering's first-half penalties.

Defender Ryan Fryatt was lucky not to see red for conceding both spot-kicks in a first half where Lynn won very few second balls and were run ragged by the home side's direct approach.

Lathaniel Rowe-Turner was adjudged to have fouled Ryan Hawkins as Lynn were handed a lifeline from the spot midway through the second half.

But Clunan missed, just like at the same ground last season when he struck the woodwork from the spot, he was foiled again as White threw himself to his left to push away his spot-kick.

Two goals goals up at half-time, the job was almost done and dusted and the Poppies remained well organised and very hard to break down in the second half.

Clunan made amends for his earlier penalty miss with a fantastic long-range strike after the break but Lynn created little else other than a Fryatt header and a half-chance for substitute Harry Limb.

Late on, Kettering dangerman Hoeness threatened to do more damage, only to be taken out by Rory McAuley who was lucky to see yellow instead of red in the final minutes of the game.

Lynn huffed and puffed but were unable to create anything else of real note during a largely disappointing 90 minutes.

Surely they have to go with a 4-2-3-1 system which will give them more width and more numbers in areas in the spaces around the striker.

Time will tell, but with two defeats already under their belts time is of the essence.

Kettering Town: White; Kelly-Evans, Towers, Berry, Rowe-Turner, Stohrer; Richens, Milnes (Solkhon 62), Meikle (Borg 75); Kelly; Hoenes (Pendley 90 mins). Subs not used: Toseland, Shamalo.

Goals: Hoeness (5 and 42 pens).

King’s Lynn Town: Street; Thomas, Fryatt, McAuley, Blake-Tracey; Jarvis, Clunan, Richards, Hawkins; Hilliard, Gash (Parker 32, Limb 78). Subs not used: Beevers, Jones, Stewart.

Referee: Ritchie Watkins.

Goal: Clunan (64).

Bookings: Fryatt, Rowe-Turner, McAuley, Hilliard.