Corinthian-Casuals 2 – 0 Brightlingsea Regent
Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division
Tuesday 6th October 2020
Report: Stuart Tree. Photos: Andy Nunn (full set here)
‘We believe in hard work and ourselves’, the quote states for all to see in the home changing room. For over 70 minutes, Corinthian-Casuals had to trust that ethos before it finally paid off in a gritty, unpolished performance against Brightlingsea Regent.
The football wasn’t of the same vintage as Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday. Far from it. But Casuals finally clicked enough to comfortably win through both dogged determination and a moment of brilliance.
James Bracken’s Casuals came into the match-up with just one point from twelve in previous Regent encounters. But this was a new season and new confidence; they’d already laid waste to another hoodoo with the 2-1 win at an increasingly improving Potters Bar Town. This night would present another opportunity to rectify past mistakes.
In came Jerson Dos Santos – his third spell at the club and linking up once again with his old Sutton mentor. It looked an attacking line-up worthy of a few goals, but the reality was, for the bulk of the game, a goal looked increasingly unlikely.
It started well; Regent’s Morisi Gelashvili bundled one off the line early doors and Mark Jamison’s header probably should’ve found the target. Regent had set up to defend but they came closest to scoring when Jerry Kamanzi struck the outside of the post from 20 yards. It took Bracken to warn his players at half time that they were a mere four inches from being behind in this match.
It bucked up their game and the second half had much more gusto about it. Youssef Bamba should’ve scored when he rounded the keeper but dallied too long allowing a defender to clear the lines.
Bracken’s reaction was to add more firepower. Stating he couldn’t bear to watch a 0-0, he threw on Nat Pinney – and he duly repaid his gaffer with the opening goal. It was somewhat fortuitous when keeper Laurence Whymark spilled a relatively comfortable cross and Pinney was on hand to bundle the ball into the net from five yards.
The game was sealed with four minutes remaining in a moment of pure delight. Receiving a throw in, Keiron Cadogan had spotted Whymark off his line and volleyed from no less than 40 yards, leaving the stopper scrambling and ultimately red-faced.
The win leaves Casuals in firm mid-table territory and just one defeat in the last five matches (if bookies don’t count penalties, then neither do we). It’s also two bogey-teams firmly put to bed.
Manager James Bracken spoke after the match.
“We started off well and just dropped off with us still at 0-0. It’s dangerous when you do that. Luckily, we found a couple of bits of quality in the second half. We’ve won the points and that’s the most important thing. We need to carry on picking up wins.
“We deserved to win, but there are times when you do that whilst not playing particularly well. We were far from our best.
“Had we done what we needed to do last week at Merstham, we’d have nine points now which would see us pushing for the top places in the league. But we should be happy with six points from the first four games considering how long it took us to get off the mark last season.
“Carshalton on Saturday is our next target and we need to deliver there.”
Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division
Tuesday 6th October 2020
Report: Stuart Tree. Photos: Andy Nunn (full set here)
‘We believe in hard work and ourselves’, the quote states for all to see in the home changing room. For over 70 minutes, Corinthian-Casuals had to trust that ethos before it finally paid off in a gritty, unpolished performance against Brightlingsea Regent.
The football wasn’t of the same vintage as Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday. Far from it. But Casuals finally clicked enough to comfortably win through both dogged determination and a moment of brilliance.
James Bracken’s Casuals came into the match-up with just one point from twelve in previous Regent encounters. But this was a new season and new confidence; they’d already laid waste to another hoodoo with the 2-1 win at an increasingly improving Potters Bar Town. This night would present another opportunity to rectify past mistakes.
In came Jerson Dos Santos – his third spell at the club and linking up once again with his old Sutton mentor. It looked an attacking line-up worthy of a few goals, but the reality was, for the bulk of the game, a goal looked increasingly unlikely.
It started well; Regent’s Morisi Gelashvili bundled one off the line early doors and Mark Jamison’s header probably should’ve found the target. Regent had set up to defend but they came closest to scoring when Jerry Kamanzi struck the outside of the post from 20 yards. It took Bracken to warn his players at half time that they were a mere four inches from being behind in this match.
It bucked up their game and the second half had much more gusto about it. Youssef Bamba should’ve scored when he rounded the keeper but dallied too long allowing a defender to clear the lines.
Bracken’s reaction was to add more firepower. Stating he couldn’t bear to watch a 0-0, he threw on Nat Pinney – and he duly repaid his gaffer with the opening goal. It was somewhat fortuitous when keeper Laurence Whymark spilled a relatively comfortable cross and Pinney was on hand to bundle the ball into the net from five yards.
The game was sealed with four minutes remaining in a moment of pure delight. Receiving a throw in, Keiron Cadogan had spotted Whymark off his line and volleyed from no less than 40 yards, leaving the stopper scrambling and ultimately red-faced.
The win leaves Casuals in firm mid-table territory and just one defeat in the last five matches (if bookies don’t count penalties, then neither do we). It’s also two bogey-teams firmly put to bed.
Manager James Bracken spoke after the match.
“We started off well and just dropped off with us still at 0-0. It’s dangerous when you do that. Luckily, we found a couple of bits of quality in the second half. We’ve won the points and that’s the most important thing. We need to carry on picking up wins.
“We deserved to win, but there are times when you do that whilst not playing particularly well. We were far from our best.
“Had we done what we needed to do last week at Merstham, we’d have nine points now which would see us pushing for the top places in the league. But we should be happy with six points from the first four games considering how long it took us to get off the mark last season.
“Carshalton on Saturday is our next target and we need to deliver there.”
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