This game had the expectations of a thriller as the reverse fixture ended in 7-0 defeat for us, and it lived up to them as this time around, we got our revenge!
Taylor, who found himself in the right place at the right time for the first goal and his calm second, helped the Blues get into the break 2-1.
Bucci gave the Blues the lead and the winner after some brilliant back post positioning.
Brad Munn named just one change to his side that beat Loughborough Students 4-0 last weekend as Evan Garnett was sidelined due to an injury.
Lewis King started in the net as usual and had a back four consisting of Owen Betts (right-back), Ryan Campbell-Gordon (left-back), Jayden Cotterill and Bucci (centre-backs).
Callum Cocks was accompanied by Andrew Wright (captain) and Connor Pace in the midfield.
Loughlan and Taylor started on the wings with James Shaw playing as the teams striker.
It was a concerning start for the Blues as the visitors pulled ahead in the first five minutes. Corby Town had won a free-kick, which resulted in Rory McAuley following up on King’s initial save from the free-kick effort.
This early setback did not affect the lads as Loughlan had a chance in the 17th minute as his curling effort from the edge of the box went narrowly wide.
The visitors had a chance to double their lead in the 20th minute as Fletcher Toll found himself in a central area in the box, but King made a diving save to deny him.
Just two minutes later, Taylor found the net for the first time as he calmly rifled the ball into the bottom right corner. Cox’s free-kick cross was headed away, but it fell to Taylor, who couldn’t miss.
In the 27th minute, Taylor had his brace, and Long Eaton had the lead. A great finish from Taylor into the top right corner after a well-worked move gave his side the deserved lead.
Four minutes later, Taylor had a chance to claim his hat-trick, but he was denied by the goalkeeper.
We searched for a third just before the interval as Betts and Taylor had chances from close range, but they both unfortunately flew over the bar.
Corby Town snatched an equaliser after Cox’s back pass was intercepted by Toll in the 53rd minute. The Corby player was one-versus-one against King and calmy placed it past our goalkeeper.
We were not level for long as in the 58th minute, Bucci’s brilliant positioning helped him to grab the third and the eventual winner. A corner from Loughlan flew past everyone and found Bucci who was lurking at the back post.
We almost scored a fourth in the 72nd minute as Wright had an effort cleared off the line. In the same passage of play, Loughlan was brought down in the box, but the referee deemed it as suitable play and the game continued.
Our new signing Tristan Matthews was introduced to the fans in the 78th minute as he replaced Cox.
It was a bittersweet game for Taylor as he should have had his hat-trick as in the 89th minute, he was played through on goal with just the goalkeeper to beat, but it just was not to be as his effort was tipped onto the crossbar and promptly cleared away.
We saw out the victory thanks to some terrific team management and some rock-solid defending.
For our next match, we will travel away from home as we face Bedworth United on Tuesday 18 February.