Mettam strike is a Senior Cup winner
Leon Mettam came off the bench to fire Corby Town to NFA Hillier Senior Cup triumph.
The Steelmen's top scorer fired home on 73 minutes as they finally saw off United Counties League leaders Daventry Town 3-2.
And while it was not Corby's most impressive display by any means, this was one of those games where the result was the main thing as every team loves a bit of silverware.
Moreover, victory was reward for Corby taking this competition and each opponent seriously and not merely treating each round as a glorified training session.
But defeat was hard on Daventry who more than contributed to the occasion and did the UCL proud.
For long periods, they matched their Blue Square North hosts stride for stride and it was clear to see why they have only lost one league game all season.
Steve Diggin put Corby ahead from the penalty spot on 18 minutes but poor defending from a free-kick allowed Russell Dunkley to equalise for Daventry five minutes later.
A howler by keeper Joe Mellings gifted Brett Solkhon a second for the Steelmen on 41 minutes but Daventry's response was even swifter this time, as Adam Corfue arrowed home a fine shot from the edge of the box just 60 seconds later.
An eventful first half also saw Daventry defender Martin Hutchcox carried off with a bad head wound, while Diggin limped off with a recurrence of a groin strain.
Daventry continued to cause problems after the break, as Josh O'Grady went close with a low drive before Dunkley had a goal ruled out for a foul on the keeper.
With an hour gone, Daventry looked the only winners.
But then substitute Jack Defty produced a moment of higher-league class for Corby with a superb turn and pass that put Mettam in the clear – and he did the rest.
Corby: Osborn, Hope, Dolman, Gulliver, Watt; Strachan, Solkhon (sub Gray, 61 mins), Towers, McGhee; Lee (sub Defty, 65 mins), Diggin sub Mettam, 44 mins). Subs not used: Jones, Mayo.
Daventry Town: Mellings; Saunders, Hutchcox (sub Gregory, 40 mins), Lee, James; O'Grady, Howell, Confue, Wesley (sub Blake, 80 mins); Berwick (sub Nelson, 80 mins), Dunkley, Subs not used: Stacey, Lamb.
Referee: Dean Whitehouse
Goals: Diggin pen (18 mins, 1-0), Dunkley (23 mins, 1-1), Solkhon (41 mins, 2-1), Confue (42 mins, 2-2), Mettam (73 mins, 3-2).:
Attendance: 460
Corby man of the match: Liam Dolman (another solid display).
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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