AFC Telford 5 Corby Town 0 - match report

Talk about making amends! When Andy Sinton demanded an instant response in the wake of Saturday's flop at Eastwood, he could not have dreamed that it would be so emphatic.

True, Corby are a shadow of the side Telford faced earlier in the season, with many of their senior players departed and a school of inexperienced youngsters trying to plug the gaps.

But you can only beat what is in front of you and the Bucks did that ruthlessly - racking up their third 5-0 win of the season but their first since August.

It took them a while to get going, with the visitors living up to their Steelmen nickname by virtue of some resolute defending.

But the Shropshire side were on top throughout and deserved to run out easy winners, even if it took a late goal-rush to give the scoreline its final gloss.

Sinton had reacted to recent rusty displays by making a couple of changes - noteably breaking up his long-standing midfield pairing by dropping 11-goal Phil Trainer to make way for Hereford loanee Sam Gwynne.

Up top, leading scorer Andy Brown found himself with a new partner as Congo international Yannick Salem got his first start in Telford colours.

Both featured prominently in an impressive team display, though Salem must have wondered what was in store when he missed a one-on-one chance after a howler of an under-hit backpass from Corby defender Jordan Fitzpatrick.

That miss looked like it could prove costly as Telford laboured through much of the first period with nothing to show for their overwhelming territorial superiority.

It looked like they were going to need a little bit of luck to finally get them going and they got it three minutes before the break when Greg Mills' cross from the left flank somehow evaded defenders and keeper Alban Teixeira to creep over the line.

Even then, the away side could have gone in level, Telford indebted to keeper Ryan Young for a god reaction save to keep out Netan Sansara's venomous free-kick and a brave follow-up to smother the loose ball at the feet of Corby striker Gregg Smith.

A Corby goal might have transformed the game but instead the Bucks grew in stature in the second period.

Livewire Salem was causing problems but it was Brown who was getting closer and closer to the decisive second goal.

He saw one effort blocked then hit the back stanchion with a dipping shot before finally getting it right just past the hour as he pounced after Salem had teed up a Sean Newton cross.

Newton was again the provider for the third as the floodgates finally opened wide in the final 10 minutes.

The left-back's inviting cross was inadvertently flicked up by Corby's debutant French No 1 Teixeira and poacher Salem was on hand to head in for a simple first goal for the club.

With the game now won, Corby visibly faded and the Bucks were able to open them at will.

The fourth arrived as Mills played a neat one-two with substitute Danny Williams then rounded Teixeira before coolly slotting in.

It was left to Newton to complete the scoring with a thunderous free-kick from the edge of the box.

Alfreton's 6-0 win over Guiseley - achieved despite playing with 10 men for all but eight minutes - means that Telford's effort has not advanced their fading title hopes.

But it can only give them increased self-belief and confidence for a likely play-off bid.

By CHRIS HUDSON