PREVIEW: Corby Town (H)
Where:
The Stotto Stadium, Farley Way, Quorn LE12 8RB
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When:
Saturday 1st of February 2025 (3:00pm KO)
Games don’t come much bigger than this, and it could be the most important in the century long history of the Reds. Second place Corby Town are the visitors to the Stotto Stadium and Saturday, and although there’s still three months left of the season, a win for Quorn would edge them closer to the dream of a league title and promotion to step three for the first time. Whatever the outcome, the Reds will still have a strong lead at the top of the table, and the inside track for the lone automatic promotion spot.
Quorn’s Form:
Since opening 2025 with a 3-2 loss at home to Long Eaton United, Ryan Beswick’s side have bounced back with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Sporting Khalsa and a comprehensive 4-1 victory at home to Boldmere St. Michaels. The Reds have won six of the past seven and have an overall record of nine wins, three draws and one defeat at The Stotto Stadium.
Corby Town’s Form:
The Steelmen suffered a major blip from mid-November to Boxing Day, losing four of five matches, before regaining their form. Corby enter Saturday on the back of a four game winning streak, in which they’ve scored nine and conceded just once. Town backed up consecutive away wins against AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Rugby Town, with home wins against Coventry Sphinx and Bedworth United. Overall, away from home Corby have won nine, drawn two and lost two. In three matches on 3G this season they won at Bedworth United (3-1), lost at Coleshill Town (0-4), and won at Sutton Coldfield Town (1-0).
One to Watch:
Since the two sides last met, Corby have bolstered their attacking ranks with Tendai Daire, who scored 36 goals last season, 20 with Hinckley LR and a further 16 with Harborough Town. The prolific striker has yet to hit his stride with Town though and has hit the back of the net just once in eight appearances. Fletcher Toll continues to pace the Northamptonshire side with 22 goals in 29 appearances this season.
Last Time:
Quorn travelled to Corby for a midweek match in early October, and started the match brightly, with Zak Goodson and Paddy Webb forcing saves in the opening 10 minutes, but as the match drew on, the hosts grew in stature and started to take the lion’s share of possession.
Whilst they may have been seeing less of the ball, Quorn were creating the better openings, and when Mason Frizelle drove forward on the half hour mark the burly defender caused chaos in Corby’s midfield, dragging defenders out of position as no one could slow him. Goodson found space in the ensuing panic and was brought down just inside the area.
Beswick kept his calm in front of the massed ranks of home fans, converting from the spot for his fourth goal of the campaign. Corby enjoyed their best spell of the game, responding well to the setback and turning the screws before half time, though the Reds’ stingy defence didn’t yield any clearcut chances.
Corby came out looking determined after the break, forcing a good save from Tom Allsopp early in the half, but Quorn were quickly back on the front foot with Webb denied by Ross Durrant once again. Allsopp had to be sharp again shortly afterwards as the two teams traded blows.
Cain Noble, who previously starred at Steel Park, was next to test Durrant, but the Steelmen shot-stopper was, once again, equal to the effort. Danny Gordon fired in a powerful long-range free kick that Allsopp had to tip around the post. Corby’s best chance came with 20 minutes to play as Danny Setchell had time in the centre of the area, but he hit a timid effort that Allsopp comfortably saved.
It was to prove a costly miss as shortly afterwards Goodson slipped a ball past the defence that Webb ran on to and, from a difficult angle, powered a shot past Durrant into the far corner. Corby had no answer and, as they pushed forward in vain, Quorn found space at the back as Noble, Kobe Hall and Jack York all had chances to add to the score but were denied by Durrant and some desperate defensive blocks.
Tickets:
Adults £10.00, Concessions £8.00, U16s £2.00, Under 14s Free