Sam Ives challenges

Corby Town lost their first match in four games on Saturday, as they fell victim to a solitary Guiseley goal at Steel Park.

Lions midfielder Gavin Rothery, formerly of Leeds United, hit the back of the net in the 77th minute, after taking advantage of some lapse Steelmen defending.

Considering the two sides had hit a total of fourteen goals between them in their last two matches, fans went into the match expecting plenty of attacking football and goalmouth action. Neither team obliged however, as chances throughout the entire match were few and far between.

Despite a strong wind whipping around Steel Park, Corby started the game brightly and were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area within the opening minutes. But they were unable to test the visiting goalkeeper, as Paul Mayo’s set-piece hit the wall and Sam Ives’ follow-up spun wide of the left-hand post.

Steve Towers had Guiseley stopper Steven Drench back-peddling just moments later, as his half-way line effort looked to be looping underneath the visitor’s crossbar.

Reacting to Corby’s domination of the opening stages, Guiseley created their first chance in the 15th minute. Ciaran Toner shot from the edge of the Steelmen box, but his shot was well-blocked by Captain Phil Gulliver.

Paul Mayo almost gifted the away side the opening goal a minute later, when he smashed a Guiseley cross against his own post. Corby ‘keeper Chris Mackenzie was stranded at the other end of the goal and breathed a sigh of relief when the ball was cleared for a corner.

The Steelmen stopper was to have a heart-stopping moment of his own before the first half was up. His attempt at a headed clearance landed at Daniel Forest’s feet; but with the entire goal at his mercy, the Guiseley striker could only float his shot over the bar.

Mackenzie quickly made amends with a fantastic save in the dying moments of the first half. Midfielder Mark Bower was first to a Guiseley corner and his flicked header looked destined for the net, but Mackenzie’s majestic dive ensured the first forty-five finished goalless.

Corby went straight on the attack in the second half, some incisive passing from midfield led to Sam Ives cutting the ball across the six-yard box. Unfortunately for the Steelmen, there was no-one on the end of it.

There was to be more bad news for the home side when Jordan Smith was stretched off following a poor Guiseley challenge just seconds later.

Chris Mackenzie was on hand to deny the away side the first goal again, as he somehow kept out Lee Ellington’s attempt with his right foot in the 58th minute.

Corby almost responded with a goal at the other end, but Nick Rogan could only hit the crossbar after he followed up Matt Rhead’s flicked header. Rogan himself nearly converted the rebound, but it was well saved by Drench.

Sensing an opening, it was the hosts who had the next chance as well. Andy Hall switched play from right to left and player-coach Andy Burgess floated the ball to Rhead on the edge of the box. The big striker nodded the ball back down for the moves instigator Hall, who took the ball on the half volley. His shot swerved towards the top left-hand corner, but Drench did well to palm the ball away.

Drury’s men would go onto rue their missed chances, as Guiseley took the lead in the 77th minute. Beating three Steelmen defenders with a back-heel, Forrest found Gavin Rothery in the box who calmly chipped the ball over the oncoming Mackenzie.

Phil Gulliver had a chance to equalise for the home side, but Corby found Drench to be equal to their attempts once again.

There was to be one final piece of drama in the game when Andy Hall burst through the Guiseley defence in the dying minutes. He was pulled down by Mark Bower who saw a straight red for his challenge.

But the deficit in players came too late for Corby to take advantage of and they could not find their equalising goal despite some frantic final play.

By Kelly Cornwell

Corby: Mackenzie; Gordon, Gulliver, Malone (sub Spruce, 79 mins), Mayo; Hall, Ives (sub Ozmen, 68 mins), Towers, Smith (sub Burgess, 51 mins); Rhead, Rogan. Subs not used: Land, Hibbert.

Guiseley: Drench; Clarke, Bower, Ellis, Merris; Baldry (Sub O’Neil, 78 mins), Ainge, Toner, Rothery; Ellington (sub A Davidson, 78 mins), Forrest (sub Burns, h-t). Subs not used: P Davidson, Giles.

Referee: Michael Salisbury.

Goals: Rothery (77 mins, 0-1).

Attendance: 580