Wilkin can't wait to see the Brackley Town fans again

Kevin Wilkin is relishing having the Brackley Town supporters back inside St James Park next week.

Saints fans are set to return to their home ground on Tuesday night when Wilkin’s team take on Spennymoor Town in the Vanarama National League North.

Before then, Brackley will play behind closed doors again when they head to Guiseley on Saturday with the Leeds area currently under Tier 3 restrictions.

But Wilkin is already looking forward to seeing the fans back at St James Park next week for the first time since Brackley beat Blyth Spartans 5-2 on March 7.

“It feels like we are starting to get back to some sort of normality with the crowds coming back in,” the Brackley boss said.

“I know our players and staff have missed not having the supporters there and behind the team.

“Whether that has affected us more than other clubs, I don’t know. It may have played a part in our inconsistent results.

“But it will be great to get them back and hopefully they can have that galvanising effect and help drive us forward.”

It’s been a hectic last week for the Saints.

They put in a terrific display but were ultimately beaten 1-0 by Sky Bet League Two side Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park in the second round of the Emirates FA Cup last Friday night.

And they were straight back into league action on Tuesday as they fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at in-form Leamington with Lee Ndlovu grabbing the equaliser.

Wilkin is now targeting a return to winning ways with his team without a victory in their last four league matches.

But he was pleased to come away from Leamington with something to show from a tough encounter.

“It’s another point on the board,” Wilkin added.

“We are aware that we want to return to winning ways, it’s important to start winning some games because we have drawn too many so far.

“But we were very respectful of the form Leamington have been in and how difficult of a place that is to play at now.

“They had a fairly direct style of play that has paid dividends for them so you have to give them credit and life was extremely tough on Tuesday night.

“It was a well earned and hard fought point in the end.”