Cheshunt 1 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Isthmian League Premier Division
Monday 26th August 2019
Report and Pics: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)
Mu Maan’s last minute equaliser ensured Corinthian-Casuals left Cheshunt with a deserved point following a 1-1 draw in sweltering conditions.
Casuals had to come from behind, conceding a first half penalty but finished the stronger of the sides to earn their first point on the road this season.
Changes were made from the 3-2 loss to Carshalton on Saturday with Mark Jamieson slotting in at the back for the injured Jack Strange. Meanwhile, there were starts for Mu Maan and Leon Lalor-Dell.
Despite the heat, the game started in good tempo and the first real chance fell to Maan as he surged to within 25 yards before unleashing a shot which wasn’t far off the mark.
Despite the promising start, the Amateurs conceded a sloppy penalty when Warren Morgan upended a forward and Tom Hitchcock put the spot-kick past the outstretched hand of Danny Bracken.
Undeterred, Casuals looked to regain parity and a slick counter-attack almost paid dividends. Matty Bakare’s surging run down the right saw him cross deep to Nat Pinney whose volley was expertly tipped over by Harry Girling in goal.
The second half saw the game open up as both sides looked to take advantage of sapping conditions. Jo Re forced a fine save from Danny Bracken who had to be sharp on a few occasions to prevent the home side from adding to their tally.
But Casuals looked the stronger side in the last twenty minutes though chances went a begging. From a corner, Mark Jamieson will feel aggrieved that he didn’t bury the cross at the far post, just three yards out. And Mike Dixon, who raced onto a through ball, lobbed an oncoming Girling but sailed over the bar.
As the minutes ticked by, it looked like it was going to be a third, tight 1-0 defeat for the Casuals this season but Mu Maan had other thoughts. Turning neatly in the box, he scuffed his shot but still found the target – just, coming off the inside of the post.
Both sides still had chances to take all three points. Dixon and Pinney found themselves two-on-one but were unable to take advantage of a great situation. And the last kick of the game almost resulted in a goal for the Ambers as a looping header was only smothered by Bracken after it had hit the crossbar.
Honours even and earning a point away from home after being behind is always positive. Thanks to Cheshunt for being great hosts and we look forward to returning the complements in December.
“We’re pleased with the outcome because the longer the game goes on, you wonder if you’ll find the time to score," said Manager James Bracken after the match. "We deserved the goal, though it’s frustrating that we shot ourselves in the foot conceding a poor penalty. It’s poor from our point of view and I don’t expect that from players at this level to be that naïve and go for those tackles.
“On one hand, we’re pleased with the point but on the other hand, you look at the chances we’ve created, perhaps we could’ve come away with more. Two games in three hot days so I can’t fault the lad’s effort.
“We put a plan in action to improve how we start matches and we certainly achieved that at Cheshunt. From the first whistle, the players looked to be on the same page as each other and we didn’t put ourselves under undue early pressure.
“After the penalty, we grew stronger and the opposition faded. Had there been another ten minutes on the clock, I think we’d have gone on to win the match. But we need to take our chances. We had some real good opportunities. Ultimately, I’m happy with the point.
“Of course, we want to get more points on the board. In the games we’ve lost, it’s only been by one goal. We missed a penalty in the match against Carshalton last week which would’ve earned us a draw, coupled with a soft penalty at the other end – it could’ve ended up a win for us. We’ve been competitive in every single game but I cannot be happy until we start notching up those wins and competing for the playoffs, like every club is looking to achieve in this league.
“We’ve got to keep intensity up, get a few breaks and I said to the boys, if we can put at least three runs of five wins together this season, we’ll probably make the playoffs. Get that first win and we’ll build on it from there.
“We’ve not been battered by anyone. We should’ve beaten Haringey on the opening day of the season and they’ve gone and won four in a row. If teams want to underestimate us because we’re still without a win, then fine. Confidence is one thing but over-confidence will see anyone undone.
“Yes, I’d like that first win. Yes, I’d like to have maximum points. We haven’t, but if we’re pragmatic about it and the good performance levels are there, then I can’t ask any more. You could see, after the game in that heat, every one of those boys gave everything they had. So, what can I possibly say that isn’t positive?
“Do that again, find the quality and finishing touch in the final third of the pitch and we could find ourselves in a comfortable lead, wondering if there was any panic at all. It’ll come. It’ll come good. We just need to be positive and keep focussing on our performances.”
Isthmian League Premier Division
Monday 26th August 2019
Report and Pics: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)
Mu Maan’s last minute equaliser ensured Corinthian-Casuals left Cheshunt with a deserved point following a 1-1 draw in sweltering conditions.
Casuals had to come from behind, conceding a first half penalty but finished the stronger of the sides to earn their first point on the road this season.
Changes were made from the 3-2 loss to Carshalton on Saturday with Mark Jamieson slotting in at the back for the injured Jack Strange. Meanwhile, there were starts for Mu Maan and Leon Lalor-Dell.
Despite the heat, the game started in good tempo and the first real chance fell to Maan as he surged to within 25 yards before unleashing a shot which wasn’t far off the mark.
Despite the promising start, the Amateurs conceded a sloppy penalty when Warren Morgan upended a forward and Tom Hitchcock put the spot-kick past the outstretched hand of Danny Bracken.
Undeterred, Casuals looked to regain parity and a slick counter-attack almost paid dividends. Matty Bakare’s surging run down the right saw him cross deep to Nat Pinney whose volley was expertly tipped over by Harry Girling in goal.
The second half saw the game open up as both sides looked to take advantage of sapping conditions. Jo Re forced a fine save from Danny Bracken who had to be sharp on a few occasions to prevent the home side from adding to their tally.
But Casuals looked the stronger side in the last twenty minutes though chances went a begging. From a corner, Mark Jamieson will feel aggrieved that he didn’t bury the cross at the far post, just three yards out. And Mike Dixon, who raced onto a through ball, lobbed an oncoming Girling but sailed over the bar.
As the minutes ticked by, it looked like it was going to be a third, tight 1-0 defeat for the Casuals this season but Mu Maan had other thoughts. Turning neatly in the box, he scuffed his shot but still found the target – just, coming off the inside of the post.
Both sides still had chances to take all three points. Dixon and Pinney found themselves two-on-one but were unable to take advantage of a great situation. And the last kick of the game almost resulted in a goal for the Ambers as a looping header was only smothered by Bracken after it had hit the crossbar.
Honours even and earning a point away from home after being behind is always positive. Thanks to Cheshunt for being great hosts and we look forward to returning the complements in December.
“We’re pleased with the outcome because the longer the game goes on, you wonder if you’ll find the time to score," said Manager James Bracken after the match. "We deserved the goal, though it’s frustrating that we shot ourselves in the foot conceding a poor penalty. It’s poor from our point of view and I don’t expect that from players at this level to be that naïve and go for those tackles.
“On one hand, we’re pleased with the point but on the other hand, you look at the chances we’ve created, perhaps we could’ve come away with more. Two games in three hot days so I can’t fault the lad’s effort.
“We put a plan in action to improve how we start matches and we certainly achieved that at Cheshunt. From the first whistle, the players looked to be on the same page as each other and we didn’t put ourselves under undue early pressure.
“After the penalty, we grew stronger and the opposition faded. Had there been another ten minutes on the clock, I think we’d have gone on to win the match. But we need to take our chances. We had some real good opportunities. Ultimately, I’m happy with the point.
“Of course, we want to get more points on the board. In the games we’ve lost, it’s only been by one goal. We missed a penalty in the match against Carshalton last week which would’ve earned us a draw, coupled with a soft penalty at the other end – it could’ve ended up a win for us. We’ve been competitive in every single game but I cannot be happy until we start notching up those wins and competing for the playoffs, like every club is looking to achieve in this league.
“We’ve got to keep intensity up, get a few breaks and I said to the boys, if we can put at least three runs of five wins together this season, we’ll probably make the playoffs. Get that first win and we’ll build on it from there.
“We’ve not been battered by anyone. We should’ve beaten Haringey on the opening day of the season and they’ve gone and won four in a row. If teams want to underestimate us because we’re still without a win, then fine. Confidence is one thing but over-confidence will see anyone undone.
“Yes, I’d like that first win. Yes, I’d like to have maximum points. We haven’t, but if we’re pragmatic about it and the good performance levels are there, then I can’t ask any more. You could see, after the game in that heat, every one of those boys gave everything they had. So, what can I possibly say that isn’t positive?
“Do that again, find the quality and finishing touch in the final third of the pitch and we could find ourselves in a comfortable lead, wondering if there was any panic at all. It’ll come. It’ll come good. We just need to be positive and keep focussing on our performances.”
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