Corby Town 0-2 Barwell

Canaries flying after fourth consecutive win at Corby

Barwell have taken their winning streak to four matches in all competitions with a convincing victory at bottom club Corby Town.

Callum Ball and Brady Hickey scored either side of half-time in a straight-forward afternoon for the Canaries at Steel Park.

Striker Ball converted from a free-kick after Luke Barlone was fouled on the edge of the area.

Just after half-time, skipper Brady Hickey doubled the lead after rising well to head home from Alex Tomkinson’s far post corner.

Izale McLeod’s late shot just past the post was the only attacking threat of note for the hosts.

It's been a week of great positivity at Kirkby Road.

Three successive league victories has seen the Canaries move ten points clear of the relegation zone and up four places in the Northern Premier League table.

The sky-high confidence was apparent throughout the match at Corby Town as Jimmy Ginnelly's men bossed much of proceedings.

Early chances for Joe Ballinger and Barlone were a sign of things to come.

Luckily for the home side, former Rugby Town goalkeeper Louis Connor was in top-form between the sticks, making several excellent saves to keep Barwell at bay.

Despite this, the stopper was at fault for the opening goal after rushing out to tackle Barlone, only to bundle the striker over for a free-kick in a threatening position.

Ball stepped up and expertly found the bottom corner to break the deadlock, scoring his third goal in a Barwell shirt.

The pressure continued as the away side looked to add more to their tally; Nigel Julien cutting inside and forcing Connor into a smart stop before Ball's powerful strike from 30 yards called to goalkeeper into action soon after.

The final real opportunity of the half came late as Barlone was inches away from latching onto his strike partner's ball into the six-yard box.

Any nerves of having a one-goal lead after dominating were quickly squashed as Hickey found a second for the Canaries straight after the restart.

Tomkinson's corner to the back post found the unmarked skipper, who looped his header into the net to give the side some breathing space.

The hosts had a superb chance to pull one back as Izale McLeod ran through on goal with just goalkeeper Liam Castle to beat.

The former MK Dons and Charlton Athletic striker opted to strike with his right foot, but was unable to find the target as Castle closed down the angle well, contributing towards his second clean sheet in a row.

With two upcoming matches against sides within the bottom four, Barwell will be aiming for a top half place ahead of a busy Christmas period.

Starting line-up (4-4-2): Castle; Story, Towers, Ballinger, Nisevic; Julien (Baldwin 89'), Hickey, Stanley, Tomkinson (Martin 78'); Ball, Barlone (Grouse 83').
Subs not used: Smith-Varnam, Edgington.