Belief is still there as Corby look to turn it around

The Steelmen’s title hopes in the BetVictor Southern League Division One Central appear to be fading after a 0-0 draw at Kidlington left them four points behind leaders Halesowen Town who still have three games in hand.

Corby’s main focus at the moment is to try to return to winning ways after a poor run that has seen them pick up just one victory in the last six matches.

The Steelmen sit in third place, two points behind Berkhamsted, and Sandy knows the race for second spot will be important with the runners-up gaining home advantage throughout the play-offs should they advance to the final.

But, first and foremost, Sandy wants his team to get back on track at lowly Kempston, who stunned the Steelmen with a 2-1 success at Steel Park in November.

“Everybody is disappointed with the current run but we just have to stay positive and keep working hard,” Sandy said, speaking before the shock departure of joint-manager Ashley Robinson who was immediately replaced by Mark Peters while Gary Mulligan also stepped down from his management role to focus on playing.

“We know we have got a team and squad that is more than capable of going on a run of wins from now until the end of the season.

“Over the last few games, with the exception of Biggleswade where it was really poor, I honestly think they are matches we could have won if things had gone our way.

“It’s not all doom and gloom. I am sure it will turn for us but we are still in a good position.

“We aren’t giving up on the league, although Halesowen are flying ahead.

“Realistically, it’s about securing a play-off place and trying to finish second because that gives you home advantage in the play-offs.

“But we don’t want to look too far ahead. The big thing for us is to try to get three points at Kempston.

“We don’t want them to do the double over us and we will be going out there and being as positive as possible.

“We still have a lot of belief in the lads and we are positive and confident we can go there and get the result we want.”

The Steelmen’s recent struggle has seen them score just six goals in as many matches and Sandy knows it’s up to him and his fellow forwards to ‘step up’, although he believes more goals are needed from elsewhere as well.

“We haven’t really been scoring goals as freely as we were before,” he added.

“So we are working hard on finishing chances but that’s not aimed at just the forwards.

“When we look at it we have got Jordon (Crawford), Steve Diggin and myself in double figures and there aren’t really a lot of goals from elsewhere.

“So the forwards need to step up but also somebody from somewhere else on the pitch needs to chip in as well. It’s a team thing."