Steelmen hit the top while Diamonds make Trophy progress

Corby Town hit top spot in the Evo-Stik League South Division One Central thanks to a 5-2 success over Aylesbury FC at Steel Park.
Joel Carta gets on the ball during Corby Town's 5-2 victory over Aylesbury FC at Steel Park. Picture by Alison BagleyJoel Carta gets on the ball during Corby Town's 5-2 victory over Aylesbury FC at Steel Park. Picture by Alison Bagley
Joel Carta gets on the ball during Corby Town's 5-2 victory over Aylesbury FC at Steel Park. Picture by Alison Bagley

The win made it 11 goals in two games for the Steelmen following their 6-0 midweek hammering of Bromsgrove Sporting and Steve Kinniburgh’s team now lead the table by a point as a result.

But they had to come from behind to do it as Aylesbury stunned them by opening the scoring with a counter-attack, which ended with Reece Bayliss knocking the ball home.

Nathan Hicks in action during AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 2-1 FA Trrophy win over St Ives Town at Hayden Road. Picture by Alison BagleyNathan Hicks in action during AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 2-1 FA Trrophy win over St Ives Town at Hayden Road. Picture by Alison Bagley
Nathan Hicks in action during AFC Rushden & Diamonds' 2-1 FA Trrophy win over St Ives Town at Hayden Road. Picture by Alison Bagley
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However, Corby hit back to lead at the break with Joel Carta scoring from close-range after a Jordon Crawford corner.

And it was 2-1 when Jordan Francis seized on a mix-up in the visiting defence six minutes before the break.

Sam Grouse gave Corby some breathing space when he scored into the bottom corner early in the second half.

Grouse was fouled to give the hosts a penalty but Carta sent his spot-kick wide of the target.

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But it didn’t matter as Elliot Sandy made it 4-1 after the Aylesbury goalkeeper spilled Carta’s shot and Sandy added the fifth with a diving header from Crawford’s cross.

The visitors pulled another back late on but that couldn’t spoil the day as the Steelmen took over at the top for the first time this season.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds maintained their good form by beating St Ives Town 2-1 at Hayden Road to book their place in the second qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Trophy.

There were few chances in the first half but Diamonds took the lead just before the break when Tom Lorraine got on the end of a Jack Bowen cross.

And it was 2-0 seven minutes into the second period.

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This time Ben Diamond did the leg work before setting up man-of-the-match Bowen who stroked the ball home.

Ben Heath made a smart save from Ben Seymour-Shove and St Ives did pull one back late on through Oliver Snaith.

But Diamonds saw things out to secure a place in Monday’s draw.