Northants Senior Youth League
Corby S&L 0, Raunds Town 4.
Thursday 27th November

Raunds Town completed a double over Corby S&L at Occupation Road in convincing fashion. With Jake Newman not making the game through injury, Matt Redding was handed his first start since his signing from Rothwell Corths, this, the only change to last weeks side.

Raunds started brightly and took a deserved lead after Tyler Merries headed home a Lewis O'Dell corner. The young Shopmates controlled the opening 30 mins and were unlucky not to go further in front. Adam Lewis went close after latching on to a ball through from Jon Tite, firing his shot over from the inside left channel. Oli Partrcik had a great chance after this to increase Raunds lead when Redding's shot could only be parred by the home keeper, leaving Partrick what looked a tap in but for a superb 2nd save by the home custodian kept S&L in the game. The latter stages of the first half S&L came more into the game, and although Raunds got pushed deeper and deeper, Harry Allington was barley troubled in the Raunds goal, as the back 4 stood strong. S&L's only notable chance of the first half was of Raunds own making, when Allington struck a goal kick against the S&L forward, lucky for Raunds the referee blew up for an infringement on the keeper.

After the break S&L started well, with Allington being forced into a top draw save low to his left in the early stages. Raunds though got back in the game, on the break Redding shown some good hold up play to release Carl Chick on the right, who first touch was superb away from the closing defender and the fired a bullet into the top corner from about 25 yards. O'Dell added the 3rd with his cross come shot looping over the keeper, into the net, Tite was on hand for a tap but was not required as the ball nestle in the top corner. Substitute Chuka Obi added the fourth with about 12 mins remaining after Lewis' shot was deflected into his path. Freddie Allen made his debut with about 15 mins to play and shown some good touches on the ball, and didn’t not look out of place at all.

Sam Fowler and Kyle Wilmott were in there usual commanding fashion at the heart of the home defence in what was a superb team display from 1-11 which extend Raunds' winning run to 9 games, and opens up a gap at the top of the table. The Shopmates welcome Western section leader Sielby to Kiln Park next Wednesday for a league cup first round tie.

Team: Harry Allington, Carl Chick, Fraser Talbot, Kyle Wilmott, Sam Fowler, Lewis O'Dell(c), Oli Partrick, Tyler Merries, Matt Redding (Chuka Obi 63), Adam Lewis (Alex Sharpe 82), Jon Tite (Freddie Allen 75). Sus (N/Used) Dan Whitbread.

Goals: Tyler Merries, Carl Chick, Lewis O'Dell, Chuka Obi

Bookings: None

MOM - Kyle Wilmott