Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 3 Lewes
Bostik League South
Saturday 7th April 2018
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (set of pics here).
Corinthian-Casuals’ Manager James Bracken conceded making the top two automatic promotion spots following a 3-1 loss to League Leaders Lewes at King George’s Arena on Saturday.
Two goals in the first fifteen minutes essentially wrapped up the tie despite a brief comeback in the second half when Josh Uzun scored from the spot. However, five minutes later, an own goal settled the tie.
Casuals came into the match without their captain and three-times goalkeeper of the month Danny Bracken after sustaining a fibula fracture at Walton Casuals on Monday. In stepped experienced veteran Gareth Williams, who had already notched up over 120 appearances for Corinth some fifteen years ago. Williams, who began his career at Casuals hadn’t played a competitive match since retiring two years ago yet performed like he’d only played last week. The home side were also without Harry Ottaway (unavailable), Coskun Ekim (injured), Gabriel Odunaike (suspended) whilst Jordan Clarke was dropped to the bench suffering from illness. At the other end,
Lewes were without their regular keeper who was absent on leave, though otherwise named a strong line-up.
Within the first ten minutes, Casuals’ task of needing three points was made harder when poor defending let Frankie Chappell head freely direct from a corner kick.
Gareth Williams had to be alert at the other end expertly tipping over an attempted lob by Leon Redwood to keep Lewes within reach. But it was almost a repeat performance from the resulting corner just minutes later when Lloyd Cotton gained bags of space to volley home Lewes’ second. Casuals were in disarray at the back and potentially could’ve collapsed.
However, the home side composed themselves and began to play themselves back into the match. Mu Maan tested Max Huxter in goal with a fizzing shot. Max Oldham produced a fierce cross only to evade all on-coming Casuals’ attackers. Terry Murray on his 100th appearance also fired a long range effort that narrowly passed the crossbar. At the opposite end, Jonte Smith broke free but was expertly denied by the experienced Williams.
A further addition to Casuals’ growing list of injuries came in the form of Ben Cheklit, only just returning to first XI action after a layoff. Clarke called into action earlier than it would’ve been liked.
Within moments of the second half commencing, Lewes could’ve added a third, when Bouwe Bosma delicately lobbed Williams only for the post to deny the Rooks. Casuals’ stopper also prevented Jamie Brotherton with another fine stop. Perhaps a turning point? It could’ve seen that way when Josh Uzun was felled in Lewes’ penalty area. Ever reliable from 12 yards, Uzun dispatched the resulting spot kick to give Casuals hope of a comeback.
It was short-lived; Five minutes later, from another set piece, the ball came to Leon Redwood who looked to cross into the box, saw his effort headed over Williams for an unfortunate own-goal.
It looked to have deflated Casuals and the league leaders were able to comfortably see out the remaining minutes with ease to keep their grip on top spot.
“It wasn’t good enough today, that’s for sure,” said Bracken following the loss. “To let in two set-pieces the way we did was soft. They’re soft goals to concede. Against a good side like Lewes, you can’t gift them a two-goal head start. That’s what we’ve done. It’s just not good enough.
“The first goal is bad. The second one is atrocious. The amount of space we’ve given them in the box is criminal. To give him 15 yards of space to allow him to perform a bicycle kick with no-one around is indefensible. Someone’s not done their job properly.
“But there was a lot of lads that haven’t done their job today.
“It’s simple; to win a game of football against a top side you’ve got to have seven or eight of your players giving at least 7/10 performances. Today, we had no-one above a six. No-one has played well. Everyone has underperformed. No-one had that fire in their belly for what was needed today.
“That’s what games like this are about. Sometimes you can win being at only 60% of your best but today, we should’ve been looking to hit our absolute best. We didn’t find enough.
“When we pulled a goal back, I thought we’d have a go at this. Had we not conceded another very poor goal, with the flicked-on deflected shot, then who knows what could’ve happened? Just after we scored, there was a little moment where we started to rock them, but we didn’t sustain the pressure. They then score the poorest goal of the day from our point of view.
“Three awful goals conceded against Lewes? Of course you expect to lose.
“I said to the boys after, I can’t keep taking sole responsibility, which I choose to do for these kind of results. I will feel awful for the rest of the week now and will permanently have the hump until next Saturday. I’ve asked them to share the responsibility in defeat with me. Don’t go home and be alright with this. They shouldn’t be. With four games to go, you’ve got to breathe fire to get promoted. You don’t achieve promotion by hitting 60% of your level. Not just technically but with attitude, commitment, workrate… everything.
“Lewes looked like a team that could win the league. They were good, organised, full of belief. Two goals have helped them at the start which set the tone. And we certainly didn’t look that way today. We need to do better next week.
“The only positive is results elsewhere. Again, they’ve given us a reprieve. We always said there’d still be twists and turns in this league. Unfortunately, we’ve not managed to take advantage of it. But with four games to go, we’re right in there for that third place – the top two have gone. We’ll be going all out to get that. We have to show up with more fire.
Speaking of his last minute stand-in keeper, Bracken added, “Gareth Williams done fantastic today. Couldn’t have done anything about the goals. He’s come in, helping us out doing great for the team and the club. He’s thoroughly cheesed off at the result. He’s got great pride in what he does and even though he’s not played in a long while, he want’s to do well. He was let down today by the rest. He’s come in and done his best.”
He finished off with a request to his players to step up.
“If we get promoted, this performance will soon be forgotten about. If we play like this in the next two games and we slip out of the playoffs, or do it in a semi-final, then it’s cost us everything.
“As individuals, they need to take responsibility and ensure that’s not on their shoulders because that isn’t something that can be easily dismissed. Errors can stick with you forever. Take Dave Hodges last season in the playoff final. He’s got broad shoulders and will understand, but missing a penalty in the playoff final, he’ll tell you that’ll be with him forever. It’s not his fault he didn’t win… we didn’t take our chances, but you’ve got to make sure that when these moments come along, you have to grab them. If someone’s going to fall short of the mark, make sure it isn’t you. If they all embrace that next week and after, we’ll win.”
Bostik League South
Saturday 7th April 2018
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (set of pics here).
Corinthian-Casuals’ Manager James Bracken conceded making the top two automatic promotion spots following a 3-1 loss to League Leaders Lewes at King George’s Arena on Saturday.
Two goals in the first fifteen minutes essentially wrapped up the tie despite a brief comeback in the second half when Josh Uzun scored from the spot. However, five minutes later, an own goal settled the tie.
Casuals came into the match without their captain and three-times goalkeeper of the month Danny Bracken after sustaining a fibula fracture at Walton Casuals on Monday. In stepped experienced veteran Gareth Williams, who had already notched up over 120 appearances for Corinth some fifteen years ago. Williams, who began his career at Casuals hadn’t played a competitive match since retiring two years ago yet performed like he’d only played last week. The home side were also without Harry Ottaway (unavailable), Coskun Ekim (injured), Gabriel Odunaike (suspended) whilst Jordan Clarke was dropped to the bench suffering from illness. At the other end,
Lewes were without their regular keeper who was absent on leave, though otherwise named a strong line-up.
Within the first ten minutes, Casuals’ task of needing three points was made harder when poor defending let Frankie Chappell head freely direct from a corner kick.
Gareth Williams had to be alert at the other end expertly tipping over an attempted lob by Leon Redwood to keep Lewes within reach. But it was almost a repeat performance from the resulting corner just minutes later when Lloyd Cotton gained bags of space to volley home Lewes’ second. Casuals were in disarray at the back and potentially could’ve collapsed.
However, the home side composed themselves and began to play themselves back into the match. Mu Maan tested Max Huxter in goal with a fizzing shot. Max Oldham produced a fierce cross only to evade all on-coming Casuals’ attackers. Terry Murray on his 100th appearance also fired a long range effort that narrowly passed the crossbar. At the opposite end, Jonte Smith broke free but was expertly denied by the experienced Williams.
A further addition to Casuals’ growing list of injuries came in the form of Ben Cheklit, only just returning to first XI action after a layoff. Clarke called into action earlier than it would’ve been liked.
Within moments of the second half commencing, Lewes could’ve added a third, when Bouwe Bosma delicately lobbed Williams only for the post to deny the Rooks. Casuals’ stopper also prevented Jamie Brotherton with another fine stop. Perhaps a turning point? It could’ve seen that way when Josh Uzun was felled in Lewes’ penalty area. Ever reliable from 12 yards, Uzun dispatched the resulting spot kick to give Casuals hope of a comeback.
It was short-lived; Five minutes later, from another set piece, the ball came to Leon Redwood who looked to cross into the box, saw his effort headed over Williams for an unfortunate own-goal.
It looked to have deflated Casuals and the league leaders were able to comfortably see out the remaining minutes with ease to keep their grip on top spot.
“It wasn’t good enough today, that’s for sure,” said Bracken following the loss. “To let in two set-pieces the way we did was soft. They’re soft goals to concede. Against a good side like Lewes, you can’t gift them a two-goal head start. That’s what we’ve done. It’s just not good enough.
“The first goal is bad. The second one is atrocious. The amount of space we’ve given them in the box is criminal. To give him 15 yards of space to allow him to perform a bicycle kick with no-one around is indefensible. Someone’s not done their job properly.
“But there was a lot of lads that haven’t done their job today.
“It’s simple; to win a game of football against a top side you’ve got to have seven or eight of your players giving at least 7/10 performances. Today, we had no-one above a six. No-one has played well. Everyone has underperformed. No-one had that fire in their belly for what was needed today.
“That’s what games like this are about. Sometimes you can win being at only 60% of your best but today, we should’ve been looking to hit our absolute best. We didn’t find enough.
“When we pulled a goal back, I thought we’d have a go at this. Had we not conceded another very poor goal, with the flicked-on deflected shot, then who knows what could’ve happened? Just after we scored, there was a little moment where we started to rock them, but we didn’t sustain the pressure. They then score the poorest goal of the day from our point of view.
“Three awful goals conceded against Lewes? Of course you expect to lose.
“I said to the boys after, I can’t keep taking sole responsibility, which I choose to do for these kind of results. I will feel awful for the rest of the week now and will permanently have the hump until next Saturday. I’ve asked them to share the responsibility in defeat with me. Don’t go home and be alright with this. They shouldn’t be. With four games to go, you’ve got to breathe fire to get promoted. You don’t achieve promotion by hitting 60% of your level. Not just technically but with attitude, commitment, workrate… everything.
“Lewes looked like a team that could win the league. They were good, organised, full of belief. Two goals have helped them at the start which set the tone. And we certainly didn’t look that way today. We need to do better next week.
“The only positive is results elsewhere. Again, they’ve given us a reprieve. We always said there’d still be twists and turns in this league. Unfortunately, we’ve not managed to take advantage of it. But with four games to go, we’re right in there for that third place – the top two have gone. We’ll be going all out to get that. We have to show up with more fire.
Speaking of his last minute stand-in keeper, Bracken added, “Gareth Williams done fantastic today. Couldn’t have done anything about the goals. He’s come in, helping us out doing great for the team and the club. He’s thoroughly cheesed off at the result. He’s got great pride in what he does and even though he’s not played in a long while, he want’s to do well. He was let down today by the rest. He’s come in and done his best.”
He finished off with a request to his players to step up.
“If we get promoted, this performance will soon be forgotten about. If we play like this in the next two games and we slip out of the playoffs, or do it in a semi-final, then it’s cost us everything.
“As individuals, they need to take responsibility and ensure that’s not on their shoulders because that isn’t something that can be easily dismissed. Errors can stick with you forever. Take Dave Hodges last season in the playoff final. He’s got broad shoulders and will understand, but missing a penalty in the playoff final, he’ll tell you that’ll be with him forever. It’s not his fault he didn’t win… we didn’t take our chances, but you’ve got to make sure that when these moments come along, you have to grab them. If someone’s going to fall short of the mark, make sure it isn’t you. If they all embrace that next week and after, we’ll win.”
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