Mills disappointed as Steelmen make a slow start

Corby Town tasted defeat in their opening league game of the season
Corby Town boss Gary MillsCorby Town boss Gary Mills
Corby Town boss Gary Mills

Corby Town’s Pitching In Southern League Division One Central campaign got off to a flat start as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Aylesbury United at Steel Park.

Despite having a 400-capacity crowd behind them, due to the current restrictions, Gary Mills’ first competitive home game in charge ended up being something of a damp squib.

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The Steelmen struggled to get going and were undone by what proved to be the winner in the first half when Ollie Hogg’s excellent volley from just inside the area flew past Craig Hill and into the top corner.

Corby did improve in the second period, particularly after Elliot Sandy had been introduced from the bench, and Steve Diggin did have the ball in the net only to be denied by an offside flag.

Jordan O’Brien brought a save out of James Weatherill in the Aylesbury goal but the visitors remained dangerous and Ty Deacon struck a post before Hill saved well from substitute Lee Stobbs late on.

It has been a disappointing start for Mills with this loss and last week’s FA Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at Mildenhall Town coming after an encouraging pre-season.

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But the Steelmen boss insists he and his players will be “sticking together” for next week’s FA Trophy first qualifying round clash at Soham Town Rangers.

“The performance was poor,” Mills admitted.

“We had a couple of chances in the second half to get ourselves level with them but, overall, that’s not good enough.

“Elliot gave us something when he came on and changed the system and that’s when we had a couple of chances.

“But we were still too open and we were switching off when they came back into our half.

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“You could go on and on and on and on but I am not going to stand here and do that.

“I am going to be disappointed like everyone else but I am going to put it right with my players and make sure that we move forward from today.

“We have had two disappointing weeks but football’s football and we have to show a reaction going forward. I understand everyone will be disappointed.

“We didn’t play well last week but today our decision-making and just the basics of winning second balls wasn’t there.

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“You have to bounce back and come the end of the season or come whenever, we have to be able to say that the kick up the backside in the first two games is something that has got us to where we are today.

“Nobody wants to see us play like that again this season, I certainly don’t and the players don’t.

“They have worked so hard since I have been here and I am not going to stand here and have a go at my players.

“I have said in the dressing-room that we will stick together. They are my players and I am going to stick with them to go and get a result in the Trophy next weekend.”