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Clinical County End Corby Cup Campaign

Clinical County End Corby Cup Campaign

James McCafferty8 Oct 2018 - 09:24
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Stockport subs Matty Warburton and Frank Mulhern second half strikes end the Steelmen FA Cup campaign.

With the late news that Jordan Crawford would be suspended for the Emirates FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round clash against Stockport County, Manager Steve Kinniburgh made one change for the team that dismantled higher ranked opposition Alvechurch in the last round, with Dennis Nkrumah replacing Crawf in the starting 11.

Stockport made a bright start to the game, vital blocks by Miles Smith and Gary Mulligan keeping the hosts at bay in the opening stages. The Steelmen were holding firm, restricting County to long range efforts that were dealt with comfortably by Dan George in the visiting goal.

Following the introduction of Matty Warburton, replacing Stockport defender Jordan Keane on 23 minutes, the game seemed to open up. Firstly, a wonderful ball from Connor Kennedy played in Jordan Francis, the winger latching onto the ball and smashing across the face of the goal with nobody on hand to prod home.
Then up the other end Dan George was called into action, making an impressive point blank stop to keep out a Nyal Bell effort from close range.

Joel Carta was next to take aim, advancing towards the county goal but his effort was never troubling Hinchliffe.

Warburton was looking the most threatening just before the end of the half, first flashing a header wide from close range, and then drawing a save from the legs of George on the stroke of half time.

Half Time Stockport County 0-0 Corby Town

County made another change at the start of the second half, Frank Mulhern replacing the lively Nyan Bell, who had been booked in the first half for a late challenge on Miles Smith.

Stockport came out of the blocks quicker, a flurry of early corners testing the Steelmen, firstly Mulhern driving across the face of goal and wide from a tight angle, and then skipper Ash Palmer rose highest to get on the end of Walkers delivery, but Sam Warburton made a superb clearance on the line to keep the score goalless.

Stockport finally opened the scoring on 53 minutes, with Matty Warburton getting on the end of a cross from the right, his goal bound header was deflected past the hapless Dan George via the head of Jamie Anton.

It was a horrible way to fall behind, and the hosts doubled the advantage on 57 minutes, Frank Mulhern with a perfectly timed run to get on to the end of a through ball from Duxbury and curl into the bottom corner.

Stockport looked likely to add to the two goals that had scored, but thanks to some solid last ditch tackles by the Corby rear-guard, and a fantastic diving save to turn Thomas curling effort around the right hand post by George, the Steelmen were still in the contest.

Corby did not go down without a fight, long range efforts from Kennedy and Carta not testing the hosts 'keeper, before the Steelmen had a great chance to halve the deficit.

A ball in from the left fell to Sandy, but he was under pressure 10 yards out and his shot was blocked, the ball deflecting to Bettles who again found his effort blocked by a sea of blue shirts, the ball bouncing around before skipper Mulligan sent his effort straight into the arms of County 'keeper Hinchliffe.

A game that could have been 2-1 with 12 minutes to play ended up being 3-0 to the hosts with 8 minutes remaining. The Steelmen were pushing for the goal that would ensure a nervy ending, Mulhern taking advantage of this by breaking through the Steelmen defence and rolling the ball past the onrushing George to end the contest.

The Steelmen can be proud of the FA Cup run this season, 6 weeks ago they found themselves 3-0 down at home to Dunstable and facing another first game defeat in the competition. Since then, Corby have won 3 matches, a fantastic 4-0 victory in the replay at Dunstable, following this up with a 2-0 home win against Hertford and then a fine 4-1 victory at higher league opposition, Alvechurch.

Next up it is a return to league action, an away trip to Bedford Town on Tuesday 9th October, followed by another chance to boost the coffers with a Preliminary Round game against Yaxley at home in the Buildbase FA Trophy, Saturday 13th October.

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