Steelmen collapse after promising start to suffer seven-goal thrashing against Long Eaton

After a week of upheaval that saw boss Setchell and assistant Darren Edey depart the club along with a host of key players due to financial issues, Graeme Tomlinson was the man asked to take the reins for the clash at Steel Park.

Corby still fielded six of the starting line-up that was beaten 1-0 at Lichfield City the previous week, with Jack Noble also returning to the side, while the rest of the match day squad was made up of youngsters.

And initially things looked good, with the Steelmen possible having the better of the opening half-hour.

But once Long Eaton opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 35 minutes, the floodgates opened and the hosts ending suffering something of a Christmas stuffing.

Eaton were 4-0 up by half-time and then eased to victory, and Tomlinson told @corbytownfc: "After 35 minutes I am thinking we were playing some really good stuff, we created some excellent chances and were through on goal a couple of times.

"Then there was a bit of a silly foul for the penalty, and okay we are 1-0 down and that's not ideal, but let's get through to half-time. Then, we concede three goals in 10 minutes after that and it completely changes the game.

"The lads come in at half-time and are turning round to each other and asking 'how are we 4-0 down', but the game was gone.

"It's not good when you have lost a game by that many goals, and I can't fault anyone's effort, but I would say when you are trying to pass the ball around, and move it around, you have got to make sure you are tight at the back and we were too open."

And he added: "When you think about how many players are not here from the last game, seven or eight first team players who have played more than 300 league games.

"So to not have that experience then of course it is going to be difficult. Did I expect that scoreline? No I didn't, but it is what it is and if I don't smile about it then I will cry."

Tomlinson now has to try and rally his troops ahead of their Boxing Day trip to Bourne, but he also spoke of the situation that has seen so much upheaval at the club in recent weeks.

"I am friends with Gary Setchell and he is an excellent manager," said Tomlinson.

"It is just a shame that it didn't work out between the club and him down to the circumstances in the background.

"There were things happening that he wasn't happy with, and obviously it's the same with some of the players and that is unfortunate, but that is football.

"Managers come and go, players come and go, and that will continue to happen, so I am sure there will be somebody come in to steady the ship as such."

Saturday's defeat saw drop to seventh in the Midlands Division table, two points off the top five.