A spirited second half performance was enough to see Corby Town run out 3-1 winners against Blue Square Bet North title favourites FC Halifax Town at the Shay, in the opening fixture of the 2011/12 season. 

With the game in West Yorkshire seemingly heading for a draw Graham Drury made two inspired substitutions, with Jordan Smith and Sam Ives coming from the bench to score in the final ten minutes. 

Smith’s stupendous volley (81) was the pick of the bunch. The striker neatly controlled Matt Rhead’s knock down from the edge of the area before unleashing a first time volley into the back of the net, sending the travelling Steelmen fans in to raptures.

Halifax were stunned by the late Corby goal and any chance they had to salvage a draw were extinguished by Ives one minute into stoppage time. Jordan Smith’s pace completely outfoxing the Shaymen’s defence as he pulled the ball across goal from the right. Midfielder Ives picked the ball up on the edge of the area, dribbled past two defenders before coolly slotting past Eastwood in the Halifax goal to make it 3-1.

It was the hosts who came out of the traps quicker, clearly full of confidence following their back-to-back promotions to the Blue Square Bet North. Danny Holland was gifted with the first real chance of the game after 10 minutes, when a mix-up in the Steelmen defence left the former Eastwood Town striker one-on-one with Chris Mackenzie, who darted quickly off his line to thwart his effort, saving down well to his right.

Matt Rhead thought he had given the Steelmen a 1-0 lead moments later, but his header was ruled out for offside by the assistant referee. 

The Shaymen also had a goal chalked off when James Dean finished Holland's headed effort, only to see the flag raised for offside. 

A change in ends brought a change in mind-set for the two sides however, as the second half became an advert for attacking football. Despite the home side having the upper hand Corby Town took the lead somewhat undeservedly in the 59^th minute by way of an own goal. Halifax defender Liam Hogan’s diving attempt to clear a menacing Andy Hall free-kick could only find the bottom right of his own net.

The Shayman were quick to respond and equalised just two minutes later. The lively Holland was left with an easy tap-in after some good work on the right led to a pinpoint James Dean cross. Their swift comeback proved to be in vain however, as super-subs Smith and Ives ensured victory for the Steelmen.

FC Halifax Town: Eastwood; Hogan, Haggerty, McManus; Hardy, Baker, Vardy, Needham (sub Winter, 83 mins), Lowe (sub Gray, 69 mins); Dean, Holland (sub Gregory, 71 mins). Subs not used: Garner, Senior.

Corby Town: Mackenzie; McDonald, Gulliver, Malone (sub Gordon, h-t), Mayo; Hall, Ozmen (sub Ives, 69 mins), Towers, Burgess; Rhead, Rogan (sub Smith, 61 mins). Subs not used: Hibbert, Jones.

Referee: Kevin Mattocks.

Goals: Hogan og (56 mins, 0-1), Holland (59 mins, 1-1), Ives (90 mins, 1-3).

Attendance: 1,728