Northern Premier League | Midland Division | Saturday 24 August 2024
A bumping, banging first half, where the ball spent more time in the air than on the grass, saw Boldmere hard pressed to keep hold of their hosts, and it came as no surprise that they trooped off at half time two goals to the bad. However, some judicious substitutions at the break, and thereafter, put matters on more of an even keel, and with a little more luck, we could have been pushing the Steelmen by the end. Corby’s Callum Milne had fired wide, and Theo Rowe had had a stinger parried away by home keeper Ross Durrant, by the time the first goal arrived. Jordan O’Brien fired a sharp ball across the Mikes’ penalty area….and what happened next is (as they say), “a matter of debate”. The official record will tell you that the ball was turned home by Harry Sweeney… but Harry is quite adamant that Joe Hull got the final, fatal touch. Your correspondent is not prepared to adjudicate! This, at least, got the 600 home fans (representation from Boldmere was 10) chanting.
Anyway, the Mikes were behind, and ten minutes later, could easily have been two down. A misplaced Hull pass gifted the ball to opposing striker Fletcher Toll, and only a well-judged block by Jonathan Brown diverted the ball for a corner. On the half hour, however, home advantage was doubled. No one managed to clear a low corner as it crossed the Mikes’ goal mouth, and Toll turned it home at the far post, for his fourth goal of the season: he’s only failed to register once, so far.
Daniel Gyasi, and newcomer Kevin Ngombi, entered the park after the interval, and from now on Boldmere looked a more potent force going forward. Even so, the second period was only five minutes old when Corby increased their lead. Some slick connecting play across the grass ended up on the left wing with Dan Gordon…and his absolute blaster gave Brown no chance. As we passed the hour, however, the tide began to turn, and there was stunned silence when the Mikes pulled a goal back, this being the first goal the hosts had conceded in five League games this season. A flowing interchange upfield ended in Ollie West netting.
Another accomplished route one expedition saw Daniel Gyasi’s rocket turned over the bar. Yellow cards now began to appear in our youthful referee’s hand, as the Mikes made a determined effort to gain parity. Ngombi was laying the ball off effectively, Jake Collins shaving the bar from his pass from fifteen yards. Tension was rising as the Steelmen had to dig in to defend their lead, and minor handbags were swung just outside their penalty area after Boldmere had gone close again, Sweeney earning the yellow card this time. All available replacements were used with two standard minutes left and, despite the fixture’s physical nature, a physio was on the pitch for the first time, after Ngombi had two-footed the industrious Jack Keeble. To everyone’s puzzlement, the Mikes were subsequently awarded a free kick! Derision from the crowd, as it flew well over the woodwork. A final yellow (they gained four) for the visitors as proceedings came to a halt, in an encounter where Boldmere found it hard to cope with their hosts’ pace; but their new signings looked to be wise additions to their squad.
Corby Town: Ross Durrant; Kalern Thomas; Daniel Gordon (Kyle Hutchison, 88); Spencer Edwards; Callum Milne; Jack Keeble; Jordan O’Brien (Charley Sanders, 45); Tristan Thompson-Matthews (Danny Setchell, 62); Fletcher Toll (Jack Noble, 76); Joe Butterworth; Matthew Slinn.
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown; Joe Hull (Kevin Ngombi 45); Harry Sweeney; George Cleethorpes; Harry Craven; Ollie West; Lewis Allison; Hisham Chiha (Sean Devlin 84); Liam Murphy (Daniel Gyasi 46); Jake Collins (Gus Sanches 84); Theo Rowe, (Alfie Taylor 62).