Match Report: Stamford vs. Corby Town, 30th Jul 2011

A 7–2 score doesn’t give a fair reflection on the quality of football played in this game. For the first 20 minutes Stamford played much the better football and created numerous chances throughout the whole game and were a little unlucky at times with the goals that were conceded.

Before Stamford scored Corby had already had goalkeeper Chris Mackenzie to thank for two good saves the first after Sam Mullarkey tricked his way past two defenders and slid the ball through to Gary King for a one on one but Mackenzie was quickly out to close down the angle and saved Kings shot. Two minutes later King was the provider, with his left wing cross headed goal wards by Mullarkey but saved by the keeper.

Stamford opened the scoring on 20 minutes a free kick on the left by Beeson was saved by the keeper the ball was played out to an unmarked Mullarkey who’s cross, was missed by several players in the middle, found its way to King and was fired into a empty net.

Corby almost immediately replied when a low shot from Nick Rogan evaded Lee Windrum’s dive but Captain Chris Gray was on hand to clear off the line, King then had a shot from the edge of the area just shave the post.

Corby were on terms after 25 minutes a free kick on halfway was headed on by Matt Rhead to Jordan Smith who’s shot was well saved by Windrum, the resultant corner was headed goal bound by Rhead cleared off the line again from Gray and then crossed to the far post where Beeson was judged to have fouled Sam Ives for a penalty which was fired into the bottom left corner by Rhead.

Rhead was to prove a thorn in the Stamford side in the first half as five minutes later Corby took the lead after a free kick from ex Stamford man Delroy Gordon was headed in powerfully by Rhead giving the keeper no chance, and ten minutes later Rhead was at it again another Corby free kick this time from Ives was punched clear by Windrum only for him to look on as it fell kindly to Rhead who had a simple header for a 15 minute hat trick.

The second half started with the inevitable changes from Drury's side that through the half made seven changes Stamford made a change in goal at Halftime bringing on Mario Ziccardi. Corby Started strongly again with a cross from Andy Hall causing Beeson a bit of trouble but he managed to coolly play a one two with his own goal frame to clear.
On 56 minutes Corby substitute Aynsley McDonald looked to have all the time in the world to clear the ball but made a complete mess and ended up playing in Sam Mullarkey who rounded the on rushing Mackenzie and slid the ball home.

After 66 minutes Corby brought on Gregg Smith up front and he began causing all sorts of problems straight away when a cross from Rogan was powerfully headed home by Smith after being on only 5 minutes.

Stamford battled hard and were nearly rewarded with another goal on 80 minutes when a neat bit of skill from Danny Steadman played Lee Beeson through he cut into the area and his cross/shot caused a scramble between Mullarkey, Gordon and Mackenzie with arms, feet and legs everywhere but unfortunately Gordon managed to eventually hook the ball away from the line.

Three minutes later Corby had scored again Jordan Spruce picked up the ball and chipped the ball into Rogan’s path who then played the ball past Ziccardi as he tried to come out and meet it.

Smith then completed his hat trick with two goals in two minutes the first a cross deep to the far post by McDonald was headed into the top corner and the second came after a challenge between Smith and Gray on the halfway line left Gray in a heap and Smith the simple task of a one on one for his third.

In the 90th minute Stamford were still giving it their all and a short corner between Beeson and Brooks resulted in Brooks shot being cleared off the line by Paul Malone.

Overall an entertaining game where on any other day and with a bit of luck things might have gone differently.