A last minute penalty by Fleet’s Craig Leworthy decided this crucial contest and brought Fleet their first home win since early November.
Fleet’s 89th minute winner came as Corby keeper, Richard Lavin was ordered from the field after throwing a punch at Fleet defender, Anthony Millerick, following a corner. Leworthy stepped up, his confident spot kick sending stand-in keeper, Dean Foley the wrong way to bring Fleet the much-neeed points.
With 8 matches to go. Mick Catlin’s men now have to sustain this winning form over the next few weeks to stand any chance of avoiding relegation from the Southern League.
Catlin was able to name a strong squad for this clash against mid-table Corby, a side that has taken points off all the top Eastern Division sides, and have recorded wins against leaders, King’s Lynn, as well as Eastleigh.
With striker Eddie Smith and defender Lee Blakely suspended, there was a starting spot upfront for Shea Saunders, back after a long lay-off through work commitments. And there was a welcome return to the bench for mid-fielder, Brian Wood, now fully recovered after being stretchered off in the Xmas game at Burnham.
Fleet started strongly and the Corby goal was soon under pressure from a string of early Fleet corners. One well-struck corner from wingman Shaun Hale was only stopped from going in by the upright, as the Corby defence struggled to deal with some lively Fleet attacks.
Front-man, Richard Mealey was soon in action, running on to some accurate long balls, but was unable to test Lavin in goal.
Gradually Corby settled into their game and soon began to dominate the mid-field and began to send some testing balls into the Fleet penalty area. On 14 minutes, Foley went close for Corby, with a powerful shot that fortunately for Fleet, hit the upright and rolled clear.
After 20 minutes, Corby’s influential player/manager, Lee Glover had to leave the field with a pulled muscle. His replacement, Steven Julian then had a good chance to put his side ahead, but shot over the ball when clean through on goal.
For their part, Fleet defended well but were unable to dominate in mid-field where Foley, in particular controlled things for most of the game for the visitors. When Fleet did break, Mealey contined to hold the ball up well, but was unable to test the Corby keeper.
The pattern of the game continued after the interval, with the visitors looking the more likely side to score after creating several good scoring opportunities. Corby’s best chance came with 15 minutes remaining, striker, Michael Sneddon being presented with a fairly straight-forward finish after a great move down the right. But the young striker’s shot sailed high over the bar.
Earlier, a direct free-kick from Corby sub, Mark Forbes hit the bar, with the Fleet keeper, Calvin Sparshatt beaten. Sparshatt was then called upon to make several good saves before the stage was set for Leworthy to settle things for Fleet, after Lavin had inexplicably floored Millerick with his fist.
Fleet Town: Sparshatt, Byfield, (sub, Dalton, 76 minutes), Millerick, Leworthy, Hare, Ian Saunders, Black, (Wood, 76), Anstey, Mealey, Shea Saunders, (Boyle, 86), Hale. Subs (not used): Buckland, Kendall.