Defender Kelly takes his attacking chance as Steelmen return to winning ways
Gary Setchell heaped praise on stand-in striker Rhys Kelly for his performance in Saturday's crucial 2-0 Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division win at Sutton Coldfield Town.
Still without the services of injured front man Tyrone Lewthwaite, Setchell decided to utilise central defender Kelly as the leader of the line, and the move paid sweet dividends.
Kelly came up with the 50th-minute opener and enjoyed a strong performance as the Steelmen returned to winning ways after a 10-day break without a game against their hosts, who ended the match with just nine players.
That was due to the 24th-minute dismissal of Ryan Shaw, who was followed down the tunnel by team-mate Luke McGinnell ater he was sent-off on 66 minutes - nine minutes before Connor Tomlinson struck to make it 2-0 and seal the win.
The victory lifts Corby back into the promotion play-off places as they rise to fifth, five points off second-placed Belper Town and 11 points adrift of pacesetters Carlton Town.
"Ill-discipline on their behalf has probably stopped the game from being a really exciting contest," Setchell told @corbytownfc.
"I didn't think they would be as lively as they were, they came out and were really brave and have one or two lads on their team that can be a problem if they're on song.
"We tried something different and threw Rhys up top, and I thought he was excellent.
"He scored a great goal and made the ball stick more often than not, and that is what we have missed up there, that presence and I certainly won't be scared to use that option again until Ty is fully back."
The match was Corby's first since they were beaten 2-1 at Basford United on November 18, with their scheduled fixture on November 22 called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
"We had 10 days off and we needed it, the squad needed it, and we have now reset," said Setchell.
"I thought it was a controlled performance, and we could have gone for a third or fourth against nine men, but we just controlled the ball.
"If you go for a third or fourth then they can hit one on the break then I am going to be standing here moaning about game management and that is something we have talked about.
"In the last 20 minutes we didn't have to risk getting injuries or flying into anything, we just had to move the ball around the pitch and that's what we did."
The Steelmen now have a free midweek before returning to action at Steel Park on Saturday when they host 11th-placed Shepshed Dynamo (ko 3pm).