Brightlingsea Regent 4 - 3 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 15th December 2018
Match report and pic: Stuart Tree
Corinthian-Casuals succumbed to a 4-3 defeat at Brightlingsea Regent in conditions described by Manager James Bracken as ‘farcical.’
Strong winds and heavy rain put pay to any football being played as both sides were buffeted by strong winds and torrential, freezing rain.
It was Regent who capitalised the most, taking a 4-1 lead into the break before a Casuals comeback simply ran out of time. With the wind driving straight down the length of the pitch, it was no surprise that six of the seven goals were scored at one end.
Bracken made two enforced changes to his side that defeated Tonbridge Angels in the week. Out was Mu Maan and Jordan Clarke, replaced by Reyon Dillon and Max Oldham. Bracken had gone with a line up that looked packed with attacking players, though defensively, floundered after just two minutes when Jordan Barnett slammed home an Aaron Condon cross.
It was to get worse for Casuals with barely six minutes on the clock; a disputed free kick was played to Billy Hunt who turned and shot past Bracken to double Regent’s lead. It was mooted that anything on target at that end would probably result in a goal.
Pinned in their own half, Casuals were three down when Condon shot from 20 yards to leave the Amateurs flailing. Hope was restored after Coskun Ekim’s free kick was lofted to the back post, met by Reece Hannigan who angled his header across goal to find Gabriel Odunaike to poke home. A comeback on?
Potentially, though matters weren’t helped when Regent restored their three goal lead. Condon’s wind-assisted corner was fumbled by Danny Bracken and found the net. Though Regent were three goals to the good, there was quiet optimism that roles would be reversed, and the home side would now have 45 minutes to defend that end.
And so it came; It didn’t take long for Casuals to reduce arrears. A lofted ball deep from defence caused all manner of problems for the Regent centre backs and fluffing their lines, Max Oldham raced on to round keeper James Bradbrook and score into an empty net.
The next 20 minutes or so saw Casuals attempt to play along the ground, passing to feet. This wasn’t a day for pretty football. Lofted balls into the box was the order of the day and so they squandered a good portion of time utilising their best attacking aid… the weather. In a throw of the dice, Bracken made a triple substitution and went more direct. So direct, that Hakeem Adelakun’s halfway line free kick sailed over everyone, including Bradbrook and into the goal. There were last gasp chances, with Reece Hannigan and Warren Mfula causing problems. However, time ran out and Regent held on for a vital three points.
It was a day to remember and equally a day to forget. It’s been a while since we’ve witnessed football played in those conditions (Banstead away 5-4 in the Surrey Senior Cup if older fans remember?). Sadly, a football match was never in danger of happening and a poor first half saw Casuals slow to adapt to the weather. It could’ve been worse – had the rain come an hour or two before, chances are the game wouldn’t have finished and Casuals would have to make the 220 mile round trip on a cold Tuesday in January. This one can be chalked off, put down to experience and move on to the Kingstonian derby match next Saturday.
James Bracken's post match comments can be read here.
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 15th December 2018
Match report and pic: Stuart Tree
Corinthian-Casuals succumbed to a 4-3 defeat at Brightlingsea Regent in conditions described by Manager James Bracken as ‘farcical.’
Strong winds and heavy rain put pay to any football being played as both sides were buffeted by strong winds and torrential, freezing rain.
It was Regent who capitalised the most, taking a 4-1 lead into the break before a Casuals comeback simply ran out of time. With the wind driving straight down the length of the pitch, it was no surprise that six of the seven goals were scored at one end.
Bracken made two enforced changes to his side that defeated Tonbridge Angels in the week. Out was Mu Maan and Jordan Clarke, replaced by Reyon Dillon and Max Oldham. Bracken had gone with a line up that looked packed with attacking players, though defensively, floundered after just two minutes when Jordan Barnett slammed home an Aaron Condon cross.
It was to get worse for Casuals with barely six minutes on the clock; a disputed free kick was played to Billy Hunt who turned and shot past Bracken to double Regent’s lead. It was mooted that anything on target at that end would probably result in a goal.
Pinned in their own half, Casuals were three down when Condon shot from 20 yards to leave the Amateurs flailing. Hope was restored after Coskun Ekim’s free kick was lofted to the back post, met by Reece Hannigan who angled his header across goal to find Gabriel Odunaike to poke home. A comeback on?
Potentially, though matters weren’t helped when Regent restored their three goal lead. Condon’s wind-assisted corner was fumbled by Danny Bracken and found the net. Though Regent were three goals to the good, there was quiet optimism that roles would be reversed, and the home side would now have 45 minutes to defend that end.
And so it came; It didn’t take long for Casuals to reduce arrears. A lofted ball deep from defence caused all manner of problems for the Regent centre backs and fluffing their lines, Max Oldham raced on to round keeper James Bradbrook and score into an empty net.
The next 20 minutes or so saw Casuals attempt to play along the ground, passing to feet. This wasn’t a day for pretty football. Lofted balls into the box was the order of the day and so they squandered a good portion of time utilising their best attacking aid… the weather. In a throw of the dice, Bracken made a triple substitution and went more direct. So direct, that Hakeem Adelakun’s halfway line free kick sailed over everyone, including Bradbrook and into the goal. There were last gasp chances, with Reece Hannigan and Warren Mfula causing problems. However, time ran out and Regent held on for a vital three points.
It was a day to remember and equally a day to forget. It’s been a while since we’ve witnessed football played in those conditions (Banstead away 5-4 in the Surrey Senior Cup if older fans remember?). Sadly, a football match was never in danger of happening and a poor first half saw Casuals slow to adapt to the weather. It could’ve been worse – had the rain come an hour or two before, chances are the game wouldn’t have finished and Casuals would have to make the 220 mile round trip on a cold Tuesday in January. This one can be chalked off, put down to experience and move on to the Kingstonian derby match next Saturday.
James Bracken's post match comments can be read here.
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