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AYLESBURY UNITED 0 CORBY TOWN 0

AYLESBURY UNITED 0 CORBY TOWN 0

David Tilley18 Aug 2019 - 06:38
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STEELMEN BEGIN WITH A GOALLESS DRAW

Jack Hopwood saved well with his feet from Elliot Sandy.

Corby Town had to settle for a point on their travels as they began their 2019/20 BetVictor Southern League Division One Central campaign with a goalless draw against Aylesbury United at Chesham.
The Steelmen's starting XI included four debutants in Joe Burgess, Charlie Wise, Jake Duffy- who took the captain's armband - and John Dean alongside Curtis Hartley who was beginning his second spell with the club. The bench also included new signings Callum Westwood, James Ireland and Scott Sandy.
Following an impeccably observed minute's silence in memory of F.A official Adrian Titcombe - who had died whilst on Europa League duty on Thursday - The Steelmen began the game full of attacking intent. Just four minutes in Aylesbury goalkeeper Jack Hopwood saved well with his feet from Elliot Sandy after the Corby striker had executed a neat turn and shot inside the box and Steve Diggin fired the rebound over the crossbar.
Then Duffy sent Jordon Crawford free down the left and ran on to meet the winger's cut back - but also saw his shot clear the bar. Minutes later Duffy was involved again but Hopwood was again equal to his fierce effort.
The Steelmen were passing the ball around neatly and enjoying plenty of attacking possession but as the first half progressed the finishing touch continued to elude them.
With half time approaching the hosts finally got a sight of the Corby goal but a fine recovery tackle by Wise stopped centre forward Ken Feyi in his tracks and then Melvy N'Somi hit the clearest opening of the first period high over the bar.
Both teams continued to press forward after the break with Greg Williams heading a Jake Bewley corner just wide of the mark and Jack Wood failing to connect after throwing himself full length following a cross by substitute Ollie Hogg for Aylesbury. They then made loud appeals for a penalty when Feyi went to ground under pressure from Wise, but even if it had been a foul the initial contact was made outside the area.
At the other end the hosts were defending in numbers - on one occasion Sandy being surrounded by four opponents when he received the ball on the edge of the box.
The introduction of substitute Callum Westwood added fresh impetus to the Corby attack and he could easily have instigated a winning goal. He hit a through pass which Sandy was just unable to get on the end of and then headed against the woodwork at the far post after a Duffy centre had eluded Sandy, Diggin and Wise.
Then, with five minutes remaining, 'Westie' was sent crashing to the ground by Williams as he took on four defenders inside the area. It looked a nailed on penalty but referee Mr Michael Begley saw nothing wrong, much to the annoyance of Corby players and supporters alike.
So, with their season up and running with a single point on the board, the Steelmen begin their home programme at home to Coleshill Town on Wednesday evening. Come along and cheer the boys to victory.

AYLESBURY UNITED:- Jack Hopwood; Dave O'Connor, Jake Bewley; Jack Wood (c), Jordan Jenkins, Greg Williams; Melvy N'Somi (substitute Sonny French), Mark Riddick, Ken Feyi, Lewis Osborn (substitute Ollie Hogg), Harry Jones. Unused substitutes: Derek Feyi, Jacob Hutchinson, Anthony Ball.

CORBY TOWN:- Dan George; Curtis Hartley, Sam Warburton; Joe Burgess (substitute Greg Ling), Charlie Wise, Gary Mulligan; John Dean (substitute Callum Westwood), Jake Duffy (c), Elliot Sandy, Steve Diggin, Jordon Crawford. Unused substitutes: James Ireland, Scott Sandy, Connor Furey.

REFEREE:- Mr Michael Begley.

ATTENDANCE:- 163.

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