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Match Report Corby Town 2 Swindon Supermarine 1 British Gas Business Football League Southern League Premier Division
Saturday 11.04.2009
Shattered Supermarine lose again It really doesn’t get any easier for Swindon Supermarine. After 11 games in little over three weeks, Mark Collier’s shattered troops now face the top four in the Southern Premier in the space of eight days. They failed the first of those tests at in-form Corby on Saturday, but not without giving the title hopefuls a real scare. Substitute Alan Griffin reduced arrears to 2-1 as Marine piled on the pressure in the closing stages but the hosts held out.
“We had a really good go at them,” said Collier. “It was always going to be a big ask going there. Corby have a massive budget and players with a great amount of experience. “We probably showed them too much respect in the first 25 minutes but after that we came very, very close to getting a great result. “We matched them for long periods with a squad stretched to the absolute limit. “We’ve had 11 games in 24 days and that’s on top of us all doing full-time jobs. It’s been a great effort by the lads.”
With Marine scratching for their first win in six games few gave them any hope of getting a result and it went to script early on as Leon Mettam fired just wide for the hosts. Once Marine settled, Nick Stanley’s free-kick posed problems but Corby broke through just before the break when Joe Francis won a penalty and Mettam coolly converted.
It was 2-0 five minutes into the second half when Francis’ run teased the Marine rearguard and his cross was well converted by Stephen Diggin. But Marine somehow found the energy to come back into the game and Chris Taylor struck a post after a dazzling turn. Marine pulled one back with 12 minutes left when Griffin, on for Luke Hopper, tapped in a rebound after Mark Draycott’s effort had been parried. Draycott and Griffin both went close to equalising but the visitors ran out of time.
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From the Steelmen's perspective... One down and three to go. Corby Town manager Graham Drury told his squad if they are to have any chance of winning the championship then they have to win their last four games. Swindon Supermarine was the first of these and Corby carried on with their winning ways following the recent wins over Chippenham, Halesowen and league leaders Farnborough.
This game may not have had the zing of Wednesday's game against Farnborough but it was a job well done against a determined Swindon side who were still probably smarting over the 4-1 drubbing Corby gave them earlier this season.
The Steelmen had much the better of the first half without finding the net and just when it looked like they would be going in all square at half time Joe Francis took on the Swindon defence only to be brought down as he drove into the box. Leon Mettam took on the responsibility from the spot and gave keeper Matt Bulman no chance (pictured).
Six minutes into the second half Steve Diggin finally got the goal he and the rest of the Corby supporters have been willing him to score to make it 2-0. Joe Francis weaving run ended with a cross to Steve Diggin who finished it off by drilling the ball inside the far post.
Swindon substitute Alan Griffin spoilt the party for Corby by scoring in the 78th minute and it took another remarkable save from keeper Mark Osborn ten minutes later to ensure the Steelmen took all three points. And that is exactly what Drury ordered. t might not always be pretty but at this stage of the season it is all about taking the three points.
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