TOON TOO MUCH FOR STEELMEN
CORBY TOWN 0 NEWCASTLE U XI 3
CORBY TOWN’S hopes of winning the Steel Park Cup suffered after they lost to a well organised and very fit Newcastle United side.
Corby created the game’s first chance in the opening minute when Femi Orenuga raced away down the wing but his low cross was easily dealt with by the Newcastle defence.
In reply a quick breakthrough by Jamie Holmes saw his strong shot well parried to safety by Aiden Grant in Corby’s goal.
On the half hour mark a good through ball found Luke Charman but although he broke clear he too was denied by the alert Grant.
The fast moving players of Newcastle managed by former England star Peter Beardsley kept the host’s defence on their toes with some quick and clinical passing.
The Steelmen created an excellent chance ten minutes from the break following another excellent pass by Orenuga to Callum Ball, he ran on but as Paul Woolston in goal advanced he fired just the wrong side of the post.
Seconds later from a corner taken by Danny Draper, the ball fell to Brad-Lee Gascoigne but his effort unfortunately rebounded to safety off the post.
However, play switched to the other end and from a good cross Charman fired home from close range to put his team ahead.
On the stroke of half time Sean Longstaff was unlucky to see his fierce shot drift inches wide of the target.
The second half saw the pace drop, perhaps understandably given the very high humidity. However, Newcastle increased their lead just before the hour mark when another defence splitting pass found Longstaff who calmly turned and fired a low shot past the exposed Grant.
The Magpies almost scored another when first Jamie Holmes then Dan Ward were denied by some great goalkeeping by Grant with point blank saves.
However from a corner quickly taken by Longstaff the ball curled in under the bar leaving the surprised Grant grasping thin air.
Corby huffed and puffed but failed to find the target although they did created several good half chances.
Boss Tommy Wright said: “I thought we kept our shape well against a very lively Newcastle team.
“I was happy with our build up play but goals change games and we should have been ahead before they scored.” STAR MAN: Femi Orenuga (Corby Town) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★