Aylesbury FC 1 Corby Town 4

After what had proven to be a disappointing and difficult week off the pitch, things were unlikely to get any easier on it.

Report by Dan Legg

Corby Town arrived at the SRD Stadium sitting in 3rd place in the league table, and unbeaten in their last five matches, whilst the Moles’ last home win came in mid-October. That being said, with relegation already confirmed, Aylesbury had the opportunity to play with no fear.
With Carl Tappin and Jordan Frederick leaving the club and an ever-increasing list of players on the treatment table, in came Bruno Brito who partnering Davis Haule in midfield, whilst Dan Carr switched to left back. New signings Michael Dada and Joakim Ehui joined U18 players Nifemi Olusemo and Tadjar Khan on the bench.

The Steelmen started the better of the two sides and were unlucky not to be ahead after just three minutes, with Elliot Sandy’s finish from close range being chalked off for offside, much to the disapproval of the travelling faithful.

The visitors continued to pile on the pressure, with Jordon Crawford having a lot of joy against Dan Carr on the flank. The awkward winger set up golden opportunities for both Elliot Sandy and Joel Carta in quick succession, but Nick Bennion was on hand to pull of two spectacular reaction saves with his legs to keep the Moles in it.

Whilst Corby Town pressed and created more chances, the Moles continued to defend amicably. Derek Feyi was in the right place at the right time to deflect Crawford’s sweetly-struck strike into the side netting, whilst Jordan Jenkins did just enough to put off Callum Kennedy, forcing the midfielder to place his looping header a foot over the crossbar.

Ten minutes before the break Dan Carr travelled almost half the length of the pitch, playing an inch perfect ball for Ryan Young. Although the visiting goalkeeper had had very little to do in the half, Dan George was wise of the threat and was quick off his line to attempt to smother Young’s advances. The goalkeeper was unable to channel his inner Manuel Neuer as he totally skewed his attempted clearance 25 yards from goal. Brian Haule had the opportunity to float the ball into an unguarded net, however the effort was blocked well by Sam Warburton.
Minutes later FC had another opportunity to go ahead. Harry Scott’s teasing ball into the Corby Town penalty area skewed off the head of the unmarked Ty Deacon, whose diving effort was agonisingly wide of the far post.

The first goal came on the stroke of half time – Derek Feyi was beaten for pace by Elliot Sandy, who went one-on-one with Nick Bennion, the FC stopper closed the angles down the best he could, but Sandy expertly rolled the ball underneath him and into the bottom left hand corner.

Half Time – Aylesbury FC 0 Corby Town 1
The second half was rather less frantic than the first half, although it appeared to be business as usual for the visitors, as they effectively killed off the tie in a three-minute period. Corby Town doubled their lead courtesy of Callum Kennedy, whose well placed header high into the goal had Nick Bennion well beaten, after the keeper had done well to keep out Crawford’s thunderous effort just moments earlier.

Elliot Sandy picked up his brace on 69 minutes and the Steelmen’s third with a looping effort from twenty yards out, after the league’s top goal scorer managed to create a yard of space to craft an opportunity up against Jordan Jenkins. Ty Deacon was able to put at least a small smile on the faces of the FC supporters and spark the belief of an unlikely comeback, as four minutes from time he converted a superb individual effort from outside of the area which Dan George could only stand and watch whistle past him - his fifth goal of the campaign.

Dan Carr almost set up a grandstand finish a minute later - with no options in the Corby Town box to aim at, he decided to take on a speculative shot from the touchline on the left-hand side capturing the opposition by surprise, only to see the shot glide wide of the far post.
The referee indicated a minimum of three additional minutes which gave Elliot Sandy just enough time to complete his hat-trick, with his third goal being the best of the bunch, a right footed effort thumped with real conviction right into the roof of the Aylesbury FC net from the edge of the penalty area.

Full Time – Aylesbury FC 1 Corby Town 4
Aylesbury FC MOTM – Nick Bennion