24/10/2026
Corby Rovers Reserves 3-0 Spratton Reserves
Corby Rovers Reserves put in a stellar performance on Saturday afternoon, securing a hard-fought and fully deserved victory against Spratton Reserves to showcase what they are truly capable of.
The tone was set early on by Leon Brooks, making his debut appearance as captain. Leading from the front, Brooks bagged a brilliant brace. His first was particularly special, set up by his twin brother, Fin Brooks—a moment that perfectly highlighted their telepathic connection, with the twins completely in sync as they combined to unlock the Spratton defense.
Rovers played some fantastic, fluid football throughout the opening period and completely dominated the half. In truth, they really should have gone into the break three or four goals to the good, only to be frustrated by missed opportunities.
Rather than letting their missed chances affect them, the Reserves turned it up a notch after the interval. They rolled up their sleeves and showed immense grit and determination to grind out the result in the second half.
The highlight of the half came when Harley Rigg rose highest above everyone else at the back stick to meet a pinpoint corner whipped in by Ryan Howarth, powering home a header for his very first goal for the club.
While the current league table doesn't fully reflect how well Rovers Reserves have played this season—having suffered a string of narrow defeats, most notably a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to league leaders Wootton St George—this performance proved their true quality. Today, they showed everyone what they are really made of.
MOTM - Dylan Warner.
Corby Rovers Firsts 2-4 Spratton Firsts
It was a classic game of two halves on Saturday afternoon, as Corby Rovers Firsts suffered a painful 4-2 defeat to Spratton Firsts despite a blistering opening half-hour.
Rovers exploded out of the blocks with high intensity, setting a ferocious pace from minute one and asserting complete control over the match.
The early pressure paid off in spectacular style when Reserves captain Lee Watson whipped in a corner that curled directly into the net to make it 1-0.
Shortly after, Rovers doubled their lead following a delightful sequence of team football. Patiently recycling possession and moving the ball with purpose, Kris Bartle spotted Dyl Griffiths making a run and played a sublime dink over the Spratton defense. Griffiths matched the quality of the pass with a sublime finish to put Rovers 2-0 up and firmly in command.
However, the momentum shifted suddenly when disaster struck.
Bartle rushed off his line to deal with a long ball over the top, taking down the Spratton attacker in the box. The penalty was awarded and converted to pull it back to 2-1.
Spratton’s center-back then took the game by the scruff of the neck, galloping up and down the left flank like a seasoned wing-back. His relentless work rate paid off when he delivered a brilliant cross to the back post, handing their winger a simple tap-in for 2-2.
Given that Rovers had completely dominated the opening 30 minutes, going into the break level was heartbreaking.
Things went from bad to worse immediately after the restart. A defensive mix-up right out of the gate saw a clearance from Bartle strike Joe O’Donovan square in the face, leaving the net wide open for the Spratton striker to turn the game on its head at 3-2.
The second half turned into a bizarre, chaotic affair. Spratton effectively operated with five players pushed high up the pitch on the counter-attack.
While Rovers pushed hard to find an equalizer, Spratton’s aggressive forward line remained a constant threat.
The match was finally put out of reach when another long ball found Spratton's towering target man, who had been a handful all game. Using his massive frame to hold off the defense, he brought the ball down and slotted it neatly into the bottom corner to seal the 4-2 victory.
Spratton handled the second-half conditions better and earned the win, leaving Rovers to reflect on a promising start that ultimately slipped away.
MOTM - Danny Ward
Mon the Rovers 🔴⚪️⚫️
