This Saturday BotP was dipping back into the Northants Combination. This time, a Division Two clash featuring the team in third hosting the team in second. Thankfully the game was a 2:30 ko, which allowed me enough time to get from my daughter's late kick-off in Brackley.
Making my way over to the clubhouse, I had a stroke of luck when I spotted match referee Niki Inwood heading my way clutching the team sheets. This gave me the opportunity to not only get photos of the team sheets, but also to have a pleasant few minutes chatting to Niki about local junior football, the weather and general football-related issues. I also explained how I had chosen this particular game because of the potential to be a good game, rather than going to a new ground just to tick it off. The difference between ground-hopping and, to steal a great description from Wandering Tractor, match-hopping.
At the start of the day today's hosts, Kislingbury, sat in third spot having taken 24 points from their 10 league outings. Their visitors, Corby Rovers, were three points better off but had played a game more. Both teams were trying to chase down Daventry Town Hobbs, who had a 15 point lead on Corby but had played five more than Rovers and six more than Kislingbury. So, both teams could go level on points with the leaders should they win all of their games in hand. The teams had already met once before this season and Kislingbury had come out on top. Two goals from Sam Giddens and one from Michael Watson had been enough to trump two Dylan Griffiths strikes for Rovers.
With Daventry not playing, it was a chance for one of these two to narrow the gap a little, especially as Hobbs still have to visit both teams.
Making my way over to the clubhouse, I had a stroke of luck when I spotted match referee Niki Inwood heading my way clutching the team sheets. This gave me the opportunity to not only get photos of the team sheets, but also to have a pleasant few minutes chatting to Niki about local junior football, the weather and general football-related issues. I also explained how I had chosen this particular game because of the potential to be a good game, rather than going to a new ground just to tick it off. The difference between ground-hopping and, to steal a great description from Wandering Tractor, match-hopping.
At the start of the day today's hosts, Kislingbury, sat in third spot having taken 24 points from their 10 league outings. Their visitors, Corby Rovers, were three points better off but had played a game more. Both teams were trying to chase down Daventry Town Hobbs, who had a 15 point lead on Corby but had played five more than Rovers and six more than Kislingbury. So, both teams could go level on points with the leaders should they win all of their games in hand. The teams had already met once before this season and Kislingbury had come out on top. Two goals from Sam Giddens and one from Michael Watson had been enough to trump two Dylan Griffiths strikes for Rovers.
With Daventry not playing, it was a chance for one of these two to narrow the gap a little, especially as Hobbs still have to visit both teams.
Peter Taylor strikes for goal After a relatively quiet start in terms of goal chances, Corby's Danny Ward was the first to hit the target, but his strike was comfortably dealt with by Laurence Benham and, from that point, the home side began to establish themselves in the game. With 15 minutes gone this possessional advantage turned into a goal advantage. A lovely through ball from Peter Taylor split the Rovers defensive lines allowing Michael Watson to run in behind and slide the ball past the advancing Edward Hunter. 1-0
Corby's response, some four minutes later, was to send their top scorer, Dylan Griffiths, clear. His miscued attempt from the right-hand edge of the box flew across to the opposite flank where Ryan Morton picked it up. However, his strike went across the face of goal and out for a goal-kick.
Just past the midway stage The Swans almost conjured up a goal of real quality. James Giddens brilliantly intercepted a Corby attack inside his own box and drove forward through the middle of the park. He laid the ball off to the left flank, continuing his own progress through the middle. Two more passes later, the ball arrived back at the feet of Giddens on the edge of the Rovers box where only good reactions from Hunter prevented the home centre-half scoring.
The hosts and James Giddens, however, did not have to wait too much longer for a goal when the centre-half rose above everyone to power a header home from a 34th minute Michael Watson left-wing corner. 2-0. The hosts were now in control of the game and, despite a little lull, extended their lead further with a minute to go. Again the goal came from a corner, this time from the right. The ball, delivered by Watson again, arriving at the far post where the other centre-half, Aaron Blundell, towered above everyone to head home. 3-0
HT Kislingbury 3 Corby Rovers 0. A very good half for the hosts who fully deserve to be in front at the break. Corby have rarely threatened Benham's goal.
Corby's response, some four minutes later, was to send their top scorer, Dylan Griffiths, clear. His miscued attempt from the right-hand edge of the box flew across to the opposite flank where Ryan Morton picked it up. However, his strike went across the face of goal and out for a goal-kick.
Just past the midway stage The Swans almost conjured up a goal of real quality. James Giddens brilliantly intercepted a Corby attack inside his own box and drove forward through the middle of the park. He laid the ball off to the left flank, continuing his own progress through the middle. Two more passes later, the ball arrived back at the feet of Giddens on the edge of the Rovers box where only good reactions from Hunter prevented the home centre-half scoring.
The hosts and James Giddens, however, did not have to wait too much longer for a goal when the centre-half rose above everyone to power a header home from a 34th minute Michael Watson left-wing corner. 2-0. The hosts were now in control of the game and, despite a little lull, extended their lead further with a minute to go. Again the goal came from a corner, this time from the right. The ball, delivered by Watson again, arriving at the far post where the other centre-half, Aaron Blundell, towered above everyone to head home. 3-0
HT Kislingbury 3 Corby Rovers 0. A very good half for the hosts who fully deserve to be in front at the break. Corby have rarely threatened Benham's goal.
Corby threaten Following a few short WhatsApp exchanges with some Oxford United supporting friends who were enjoying their team take a commanding lead against the absolute basket case that is West Brom at the moment (despite not going to pro games any more, the Baggies are still my team, unfortunately), the second half began.
Kislingbury were soon on the offensive again, Jack Shaw firing in a dipping volley that Hunter dealt with comfortably. A few minutes later, Peter Taylor struck 20-yard free-kick cleanly, but again straight at Hunter. Then, just before the hour, Corby pulled a goal back. A ball down the left allowed Ian Hales to run in behind the defence. Benham was quick off his line but Hales got there first, sending the ball past the keeper and across the face of goal where Dylan Griffiths just about won the race to bundle the ball over the line. 3-1. Unfortunately for Corby, the joy of scoring was cut short by their top-scorer being helped off the pitch and unable to continue after picking up a knock in the act of scoring.
The hosts then set about re-establishing the three goal lead. Hunter did well to save from Sam Giddens just past the hour, the with twenty minutes to go, Josh Crawley was sent clear of the Rovers defence only to shoot straight at Hunter.
Heading into the final 15 minutes Corby almost got themselves right back in the game when a corner from their right caused chaos inside the home 6-yard box. However, no-one in red could get the ball over the line before the home side scrambled it clear. That missed opportunity looked even more crucial a few minutes later when Kislingbury produced a superb move to make it four. Sam Giddens began the move, driving up the left. He then slipped the ball inside the defence for the overlapping run of Nathan Stewart, who intelligently cut the ball back to the edge of the box for Peter Taylor to apply a fitting, first-time, finish into the top corner. A lovely move and a great strike from Taylor. 4-1
Corby tried to respond, Hales fired over in the 84th minute and James Cassidy kept Benham honest with a decent effort three minutes from time. However, by this point, the points were already decided and, five minutes into added time, this fact was emphasised by a fifth home goal, albeit a very strange one. Substitute Fernand Bass, in a foot race with a defender and the oncoming goalkeeper managed to cause enough of a problem for the ball to squirm loose from both. The striker, who was sent sprawling in the collision then somehow managed to flick the ball, from a prone position, into the unguarded net from a tight angle. 5-1
FT Kislingbury 5 Corby Rovers 1. The Swans remain in a position whereby they can still catch the league leaders if they win their games in and. Corby now have to rely on both teams above them making a mistake along the way. Kislingbury were fully deserving of the points on the day, looking in control of the game throughout. Having not seen either team play previously this season, it was hard to say if this was a dominant home performance, a bad day for Corby, or a bit of both. I'd say the latter. It did feel as if Corby never really got going today. I'm sure they must have more in them considering their position in the league.
Next weekend both teams are at home. Kislingbury face fifth placed Spencer Mil Reserves, a team they beat 2-0 in the reverse fixture. Corby have another big game that could do both themselves and Kislingbury a favour. They take on the leaders, Daventry Town Hobbs having lost the reverse fixture 4-2.
Kislingbury: Benham, Msampha, Bramley(c), J.Giddens, Blundell, Downing, Ibrahim, Taylor, Shaw, Watson, S.Giddens. Subs: N.Stewart, Crawley, Davenport, Bass, D.Stewart
Corby Rovers: Hunter, L.Morton, McGovern, O'Donovan, Carr, Buckingham, Ward, R.Morton, Hales, Griffiths, Cassidy. Subs: Goode, Morgan, Mutengo
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
Kislingbury were soon on the offensive again, Jack Shaw firing in a dipping volley that Hunter dealt with comfortably. A few minutes later, Peter Taylor struck 20-yard free-kick cleanly, but again straight at Hunter. Then, just before the hour, Corby pulled a goal back. A ball down the left allowed Ian Hales to run in behind the defence. Benham was quick off his line but Hales got there first, sending the ball past the keeper and across the face of goal where Dylan Griffiths just about won the race to bundle the ball over the line. 3-1. Unfortunately for Corby, the joy of scoring was cut short by their top-scorer being helped off the pitch and unable to continue after picking up a knock in the act of scoring.
The hosts then set about re-establishing the three goal lead. Hunter did well to save from Sam Giddens just past the hour, the with twenty minutes to go, Josh Crawley was sent clear of the Rovers defence only to shoot straight at Hunter.
Heading into the final 15 minutes Corby almost got themselves right back in the game when a corner from their right caused chaos inside the home 6-yard box. However, no-one in red could get the ball over the line before the home side scrambled it clear. That missed opportunity looked even more crucial a few minutes later when Kislingbury produced a superb move to make it four. Sam Giddens began the move, driving up the left. He then slipped the ball inside the defence for the overlapping run of Nathan Stewart, who intelligently cut the ball back to the edge of the box for Peter Taylor to apply a fitting, first-time, finish into the top corner. A lovely move and a great strike from Taylor. 4-1
Corby tried to respond, Hales fired over in the 84th minute and James Cassidy kept Benham honest with a decent effort three minutes from time. However, by this point, the points were already decided and, five minutes into added time, this fact was emphasised by a fifth home goal, albeit a very strange one. Substitute Fernand Bass, in a foot race with a defender and the oncoming goalkeeper managed to cause enough of a problem for the ball to squirm loose from both. The striker, who was sent sprawling in the collision then somehow managed to flick the ball, from a prone position, into the unguarded net from a tight angle. 5-1
FT Kislingbury 5 Corby Rovers 1. The Swans remain in a position whereby they can still catch the league leaders if they win their games in and. Corby now have to rely on both teams above them making a mistake along the way. Kislingbury were fully deserving of the points on the day, looking in control of the game throughout. Having not seen either team play previously this season, it was hard to say if this was a dominant home performance, a bad day for Corby, or a bit of both. I'd say the latter. It did feel as if Corby never really got going today. I'm sure they must have more in them considering their position in the league.
Next weekend both teams are at home. Kislingbury face fifth placed Spencer Mil Reserves, a team they beat 2-0 in the reverse fixture. Corby have another big game that could do both themselves and Kislingbury a favour. They take on the leaders, Daventry Town Hobbs having lost the reverse fixture 4-2.
Kislingbury: Benham, Msampha, Bramley(c), J.Giddens, Blundell, Downing, Ibrahim, Taylor, Shaw, Watson, S.Giddens. Subs: N.Stewart, Crawley, Davenport, Bass, D.Stewart
Corby Rovers: Hunter, L.Morton, McGovern, O'Donovan, Carr, Buckingham, Ward, R.Morton, Hales, Griffiths, Cassidy. Subs: Goode, Morgan, Mutengo
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
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