Match Report  |  Corby Town vs Gresley Rovers

Rovers ended their stay in the Northern Premier League Midland division with a gutsy and determined victory at Steel Park. One down at the break Rovers took control of the second half and deservedly drew level and then took the lead through Marc Strzyzewski and Richard Hanslow.

The visitors welcomed back both John King and Josh Egginton but were without Dylan Hunniford who was serving a suspension following his red card at Shepshed.

Corby started well with a deflected shot going over the bar but it was the visitors who went closest with Hanslow firing just wide of the far post. Martin Smyth then had a low shot saved at the foot of the post by home keeper Tom Finch.

The home side took the lead on 19 minutes when a shot from Reuben Marshall hit the post and fell kindly for Toby Hilliard lurking at the opposite post and be smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Rovers hit back with Nathan Banton going close with his shot just past the far post.

Within 10 minutes of the second half starting Corby went close to extending their lead but they hit the post, had a shot well blocked and a shot from the rebound put over the bar as Rovers defended resolutely. This was followed minutes later with Ben Price making a superb clearance off the line to deny the home side.

Both sides made changes with Kyle Hutchinson and Gregory Mills replacing Marshall and Jack Keeble respectively and Rovers’ only substitute Etan Goodfellow replacing Banton.

Rovers began to take charge of the game and after changes for both sides they had a great chance to level when Jack Tyson cut in from the left of the penalty area before hitting a shot that a defender managed to head off the line with the keeper beaten.

That seemed to give Rovers a lift and they continued to press for a goal, and it arrived on 81 minutes. A free kick into the box was not cleared and Strzyzewski was on hand to fire home from close in.

It was no less than Rovers deserved but just before the final whistle they went one step further when Strzyzewski played the ball out of defence to Kieran O’Connell in the centre circle. O’Connell then played the perfect ball through the middle slicing the Corby defence in two for Hanslow to run on to and after a few strides Rovers’ no9 hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net giving the home custodian no chance. Cue celebrations from players and the travelling faithful and silence from the home crowd.

A little harsh on Corby perhaps but it was certainly nice to finish on a high.