Northamptonshire was calling again this weekend. The Northants Combination Premier League was coming to the boil and current leaders, Blisworth, had the opportunity to seal their first title since 2019 with a win at home to Corby Locos. Not only was it a chance to see the title won, but also a chance to check out a new ground. This season Blisworth have been playing home games at Kislingbury FC whilst work is completed on the clubhouse at their Courtenhall Road ground. The situation at the start of the day was that Blisworth led the table by seven points from Roade, who had three to play compared to Blisworth's two remaining. A victory would mathematically seal top spot. The omens were certainly in favour of the home team too, coking into the game defending a 100% home league record with 37 goals scored and only 6 conceded in 11 games. Add to that a 5-0 win at West Glebe in the reverse fixture and Corby's recent form of just one point from the last 21 available, it looked like a nailed on home win.
Locos, for their part, had done enough in the early part of the season to ensure that, even after a poor run, they were still well clear of any relegation worries.
Locos, for their part, had done enough in the early part of the season to ensure that, even after a poor run, they were still well clear of any relegation worries.
Blisworth looking for more goals If Blisworth were expecting Locos to give them an easy ride today, they were soon put straight as the visitors started much the stronger of the two teams. The home defence could be accused of being a little too relaxed after just five minutes, when they allowed Corby to win the ball back deep inside Blisworth territory. Locos captain Darrell Knapp spotted Josh McAdoo off his line and went for the lob from 30 yards. The ball cleared the keeper but, unfortunately for Locos, just cleared the bar too. A few minutes later, the visitors came close again when Ryan Finnegan's effort was deflected just wide for a corner. Then, on ten minutes, Corby had the ball in the net when McAdoo spilled a free-kick into the path of an attacker who put the ball away, but with the aid of his hand.
Ten minutes in and Blisworth could possibly have been a couple of goals behind, a fact that appeared to sting them into action because, on 11 minutes, they took the lead. Blisworth were awarded a throw-in on the right, some 20 yards out. It was actually debateable if the entire ball crossed the line but, before Corby could raise a complaint, Matty Bazeley launched the throw into the box where Joey Handley rose to head goalward. His effort struck the inside of McGovern's left-hand post, ran across the line, then hit the other post before the spin of the ball took it into the net. 1-0
The goal relaxed Blisworth, who proceeded to look for a second goal only to be consistently thwarted by stand-in goalkeeper Corey McGovern who first of all blocked brilliantly to keep out Bazeley and then nonchalantly flicked out a hand to push Markie's bundled effort over the bar.
Despite Blisworth being a goal up and now commanding more possession, Locos still weren't prepared to sit back. Just before the half-hour mark they had McAdoo scrambling again when their number 23 (sorry, shirts didn't match the team sheet) had a deflected effort that was only a whisker wide of the post. Two minutes later Jamie Porter saw his header go just wide as Locos came close once again.
However, getting a few chances against Blisworth seems to be like poking a bear because, once again, after almost conceding, they went straight up the other end and scored. It was a long throw that did the damage again, this time launched by Reiss Gartland from the right touchline. Josh Sargent rose highest to power a header beyond McGovern. 2-0.
It was beginning to look like Blisworth had the title in the bag even before half-time, but there was still enough time for McGovern to make another good block, this time from Handley, before the referee blew for the break.
HT Blisworth 2 Corby Locos 0. A two goal cushion for Blisworth but it had not all been plain sailing. Corby created a number of chances and could easily have been in front before Blisworth got out of the blocks. Many thanks to referee Ben Hughes for taking the time to give me access to the team sheets during the half-time break. Very much appreciated.
Ten minutes in and Blisworth could possibly have been a couple of goals behind, a fact that appeared to sting them into action because, on 11 minutes, they took the lead. Blisworth were awarded a throw-in on the right, some 20 yards out. It was actually debateable if the entire ball crossed the line but, before Corby could raise a complaint, Matty Bazeley launched the throw into the box where Joey Handley rose to head goalward. His effort struck the inside of McGovern's left-hand post, ran across the line, then hit the other post before the spin of the ball took it into the net. 1-0
The goal relaxed Blisworth, who proceeded to look for a second goal only to be consistently thwarted by stand-in goalkeeper Corey McGovern who first of all blocked brilliantly to keep out Bazeley and then nonchalantly flicked out a hand to push Markie's bundled effort over the bar.
Despite Blisworth being a goal up and now commanding more possession, Locos still weren't prepared to sit back. Just before the half-hour mark they had McAdoo scrambling again when their number 23 (sorry, shirts didn't match the team sheet) had a deflected effort that was only a whisker wide of the post. Two minutes later Jamie Porter saw his header go just wide as Locos came close once again.
However, getting a few chances against Blisworth seems to be like poking a bear because, once again, after almost conceding, they went straight up the other end and scored. It was a long throw that did the damage again, this time launched by Reiss Gartland from the right touchline. Josh Sargent rose highest to power a header beyond McGovern. 2-0.
It was beginning to look like Blisworth had the title in the bag even before half-time, but there was still enough time for McGovern to make another good block, this time from Handley, before the referee blew for the break.
HT Blisworth 2 Corby Locos 0. A two goal cushion for Blisworth but it had not all been plain sailing. Corby created a number of chances and could easily have been in front before Blisworth got out of the blocks. Many thanks to referee Ben Hughes for taking the time to give me access to the team sheets during the half-time break. Very much appreciated.
Handley about to put the spot-kick wide Blisworth probably needed another goal before they could put the champagne on ice and, they had the opportunity to do just that only two minutes into the second half. Morgan Littlejohn burst into the Coby penalty area before being shoved over. Penalty! and no real complaint from the visitors. Joey Handley stepped up to take the spot kick but sent his shot wide of the post.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Blisworth had more of the ball, but couldn't completely relax against a Corby side that had already shown they could create chances. What was different was that teh clear cut chances, at both ends, were fewer than the first period. Just pact the hour a quickly taken free-kick set up Knapp some 30 yards out, but his low strike was always going wide of the mark and McAdoo was happy to watch it drift past his post. Then, with 25 minutes left, Blisworth finally added the third goal and effectively sealed the win. It was quite simple in its construction. A pinpoint delivery from the right was nodded in at the far post by substitute Dean Hall. 3-0.
Locos, despite a brave fight, were done now. They did make a few changes, with Corey McGovern going up front with Hammond(?) taking over between the sticks. However, they couldn't find a way past McAdoo and that left Blisworth to have the final word. With four minutes to go, Shaun Wilkes slipped the offside trap to run onto a through ball and finish calmly into the bottom corner. 4-0
FT Blisworth 4 Corby Locos 0. A controlled and professional performance from Blisworth to secure the league title for the fifth time in ten years, but the first since 2019. Credit to Corby Locos for putting up a good fight with nothing to play for. Congratulations to Blisworth. One defeat in 25 league games, 92 goals scored and only 14 conceded. The statistics don't lie and they still have the Premier Division Cup Final against Harpole to come (@sileby Rangers. 19:30 - 15th May)
Blisworth: McAdoo(c), Sargent, Bazeley, Redding, Gartland, Markie, Sweeney, Lyons, Littlejohn, Handley, Curtis. Subs: McGinley, Hall, Mason, Crane, Wilkes
Corby Locos: C.McGovern, B.McGovern, Porter, Walden, Hughes, Milne, Logue, Knapp(c), Finnegan, Robinson, Waterhouse. Subs: Hammond, Holmes
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Blisworth had more of the ball, but couldn't completely relax against a Corby side that had already shown they could create chances. What was different was that teh clear cut chances, at both ends, were fewer than the first period. Just pact the hour a quickly taken free-kick set up Knapp some 30 yards out, but his low strike was always going wide of the mark and McAdoo was happy to watch it drift past his post. Then, with 25 minutes left, Blisworth finally added the third goal and effectively sealed the win. It was quite simple in its construction. A pinpoint delivery from the right was nodded in at the far post by substitute Dean Hall. 3-0.
Locos, despite a brave fight, were done now. They did make a few changes, with Corey McGovern going up front with Hammond(?) taking over between the sticks. However, they couldn't find a way past McAdoo and that left Blisworth to have the final word. With four minutes to go, Shaun Wilkes slipped the offside trap to run onto a through ball and finish calmly into the bottom corner. 4-0
FT Blisworth 4 Corby Locos 0. A controlled and professional performance from Blisworth to secure the league title for the fifth time in ten years, but the first since 2019. Credit to Corby Locos for putting up a good fight with nothing to play for. Congratulations to Blisworth. One defeat in 25 league games, 92 goals scored and only 14 conceded. The statistics don't lie and they still have the Premier Division Cup Final against Harpole to come (@sileby Rangers. 19:30 - 15th May)
Blisworth: McAdoo(c), Sargent, Bazeley, Redding, Gartland, Markie, Sweeney, Lyons, Littlejohn, Handley, Curtis. Subs: McGinley, Hall, Mason, Crane, Wilkes
Corby Locos: C.McGovern, B.McGovern, Porter, Walden, Hughes, Milne, Logue, Knapp(c), Finnegan, Robinson, Waterhouse. Subs: Hammond, Holmes
Kislingbury Playing Field
The Ground
Blisworth's temporary home at Kislingbury FC is located on the eastern edge of Kislingbry village, 4 miles west of Northampton. It's part of a multi-sport facility that also plays host to bowls and cricket, as well as having a large children's playground. There are two car parks on the site, one near the entrance (Beech Lane) which is predominately for the football traffic, and another beyond the football pitch which caters more for the bowls and cricket patrons. Between the car park and the main pitch is a single storey building that houses the clubhouse and the changing facilities. There's a small sided pitch directly in front of the clubhouse as well as another 11-a-side pitch, used for warm-ups, to the left of the main pitch. There is a small spectator cover on the left-hand side of the main pitch as well as the two dugouts. The playing surface appears to be pretty much flat with no discernible slope.
Ground Number: 448
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
Blisworth's temporary home at Kislingbury FC is located on the eastern edge of Kislingbry village, 4 miles west of Northampton. It's part of a multi-sport facility that also plays host to bowls and cricket, as well as having a large children's playground. There are two car parks on the site, one near the entrance (Beech Lane) which is predominately for the football traffic, and another beyond the football pitch which caters more for the bowls and cricket patrons. Between the car park and the main pitch is a single storey building that houses the clubhouse and the changing facilities. There's a small sided pitch directly in front of the clubhouse as well as another 11-a-side pitch, used for warm-ups, to the left of the main pitch. There is a small spectator cover on the left-hand side of the main pitch as well as the two dugouts. The playing surface appears to be pretty much flat with no discernible slope.
Ground Number: 448
Att:
Entrance:
Programme:
Blisworth clear a corner
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