Match Report - SCTFC 2 - 2 Corby Town

After a wonderful victory away to Coleshill last Saturday, Thorpe’s men were returning to Coles Lane to take on fellow strugglers in the league Corby Town. Sutton knew that victory would take them well clear of the bottom three.

Thorpe’s team selection was as follows: Brown, Hurley, Lloyd, Isichei, Beresford, Christophorou, King-Harmes, Dodd, Marselia, Letford and Eden.

The Royals were fired up after their win last Saturday, and soon took the game to Corby with Eden trying a long-range effort which went just wide of the near post.

Corby had two quick chances through Mulligan and White, but Brown was equal to both efforts in his first outing for The Royals.
Eden went close again showing off his silky skills. He beat the defender for pace, and hit a low hard drive towards the bottom of the Corby goal. Heath did well to get a hand on it to parry out for a corner.

13 minutes into the game and Dodd made a great tackle to win the ball from 30 yards out, turned and fired an absolute worldy into the top left- hand corner to send the fans in raptures. 1-0 Sutton.

Sutton, well and truly on the front foot, earned a free kick just outside the area. Hurley floated it in for Eden to get a head on it, but it just cleared the crossbar.

John Dodd, still buzzing from his wonder goal took the ball, ran through the Corby defence like a hot knife through butter only to be thwarted by his final touch as the pace took the ball out of play.

Sutton went 2-0 up on 15 minutes as a lofted ball found Marselia through one on one with the keeper. He slotted the ball low to his right inside the near post to give Sutton a commanding lead early in the game.

Beresford nearly made it three when Eden delivered a great ball into the box. He got his trademark header at the back post, only to see the ball hit the side netting.

King-Harmes produced some great work wide, beating his man and delivering a whipped ball across the penalty area. The ball was just behind Marselia and was a certain tap in if he had held his run.

Disaster for Sutton on 31 minutes after all the hard work. A penalty was awarded for a clumsy challenge in the box, Jordon O’Brien stepped up and slotted home to Browns left. 2-1 Sutton.

Harry Eden had a great chance to increase Suttons lead right before half time when he was put through one on one with the keeper, but Heath stood his ground and forced Eden to strike wide of the far post.

Letford won a tackle and ran with the ball, turned inside the defender and hit a low shot which was saved by the keeper at the second attempt.

Sutton finished the half 2-1 up, a little disappointed not to have converted more of their chances, and also for allowing The Steelmen back into the game.

Corby started the second half with more vigour, and soon put the Sutton defence under pressure. They struck from outside the area with a shot from Curtis, but it was again well saved by Brown.

Marselia broke into the penalty area and was brought down by the Corby defender. Instead of a penalty, Marselia was awarded a yellow card for simulation!

Sutton conceded a second, when a shot from distance by Fury flew inside the far post to make it 2-2.

Thorpe brought on Brown to replace Letford on the hour mark, and minutes later Bellingham-Belle was put on in place of Isichei.

Sutton were defending well, but were unable to mount a purposeful attack in the second half.

Thorpe made his final change on 70 minutes, bringing on Wilson for King-Harmes.

Sutton tried their best to get back into the game, and new boy Lloyd saw an effort from distance well saved by Heath.

Eden crossed in for Marselia who should have scored, but the ball got stuck under his feet and the ball was defended before he could finish.

In the final minute of the match, Sutton won a free kick on the edge of the Corby penalty area. Marselia stepped up curled the effort low round the wall, but unfortunately Heath dived to palm the ball round the post and gain a point for Corby. 2-2.

Sutton will rue the missed chances today, and will see this game as two points dropped. After being 2-0 and in command for the first half, a point is still good and it’s the start of a little run.

Next, we go to Ilkeston on Saturday who are top of the table. Can the Royal spoil the Robins party?

Come along next Saturday and find out.
COYR.