Late First Half Blitz Does It For Blues - Corby Town vs. Gainsborough Trinity

Corner view of Steel Park

My sister has recently moved to Corby and the visit of Gainsborough Trinity in The National League North provided the perfect opportunity for a big meet up. Luckily the weather finally eased up a little bit (just for one week by the looks of things) although there were still quite a few postponements in the local area. This was an important game for Corby as they were currently in the relegation places and there was just one separating six teams. Gainsborough were looking to pull themselves into the top half and the reverse fixture at The Northolme had resulted in a one one draw. Another incentive to come and watch Corby was the fact that ex-Scunthorpe cult hero Cleveland Taylor was club captain.

Kick off at Steel Park

The first chance of the game falls to the hosts when a free kick into the area is brought under control but the attacker can't keep his shot on the turn down. They come closer as the Gainsborough keeper spills a long range effort and the forward just can't force the rebound home. Another chance goes begging for Corby when the player in the middle gets too much on his header from a great cross and the effort goes well over the bar. Gainsborough's first effort on goal comes midway through the half and is a shot from the edge of the area which goes just wide. Corby come close to creating another good chance but the cross is just too high for the man in the middle. Then comes the two late sucker punches. The Gainsborough forward completely misses the ball when attempting a shot in the area and ends up kicking the defender and hitting the deck. Much to everyone's astoundment, the referee gives a penalty which is duly dispatched. Then in first half injury time Gainsborough double their lead with a near post header from a corner.

Covered accommodation behind the far goal

Gainsborough start where the ended the first half and a shot across goal goes just wide of the far post. Corby then have a couple of free kicks in decent areas and they fail to seriously trouble the Gainsborough defence with either. They do get into the game with a penalty of their own at The Clubhouse End. This time there is no disputing the referee's decision as the attacker is bundled in the back and the resulting penalty is hammered into the top corner. The Corby goalie is almost caught out by a long free kick from the visitors and he just recomposes himself in time to tip the ball over the bar. Corby now lay siege to the Gainsborough defence and the away side somehow keeps the ball out during a scramble following a free kick from a dangerous position. The closest they come to an equaliser is in the closing stages when the Gainsborough keeper is beaten to the ball from a free kick and the Gainsborough defender makes an amazing last ditch clearance to keep his side in the lead. Despite the pressure, Gainsborough are able to hold on and take the points back to Lincolnshire.

Gainsborough attack The Clubhouse end in the first half

Trains to Corby depart from St Pancras and the journey takes just over an hour. Despite the journey taking a relatively short amount of time and being very straight forward, tickets on the day are extortionately expensive. I was given a lift to and from the ground but I don't remember seeing any buses on our drive. Steel Park is about two and half miles from the station. The only pub I was able to visit was The Samuel Lloyd which is a Wetherspoons and a five minute walk from the ground. The clubhouse had the sports channels and the usual selection of drinks.

The dugout sound of the ground. The building on the far right, is the back of the stand at the old ground