Cheshunt 5 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Pitching In Isthmian League Premier
Saturday 11th December 2021
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (images here)
It was a day to forget for Corinthian-Casuals as they succumbed to a five-one defeat at the hands of a clinical Cheshunt, flying high in the playoff places.
Manager James Bracken apologised to fans after the final whistle declaring that ‘it wasn’t good enough’.
Finding themselves three down at half time, the odds were already stacked against Casuals and although they pulled a late goal back via Kieron Cadogan, it was ultimately a fruitless occasion for the Tolworth outfit.
Casuals came into the match six unbeaten, although having struggled to score in their most recent games. Probably unsurprising that one of the key strikers, Bobby Mills was still absent through suspension. Defensively, Casuals were tight, having conceded less than a goal a game in the league so far. That was about to change.
Cheshunt were in even better form having not lost in the league since the 9th October, and sitting top of the form guide for the last ten matches. Craig Edwards had also strengthened their squad with the addition of Rowan Liburd – the ex-League Championship professional who’d scored five in four games since becoming an Amber. He added another three on this occasion.
To be fair to Casuals, as many agreed on both sides, it never looked like a 5-1 game. Casuals fluffed their lines in front of goal on too many occasions and by rights, could’ve been a couple of goals to the good before Liburd got the first of his three on 17 minutes. They doubled their lead just before the half hour mark on a pitch that became increasingly tricky as the heavy rain descended.
Even at two-nil, Casuals pushed and forced a number of corners and held good pressure high up the field. But Cheshunt broke fast once again and Corinth were left exposed by Reece Beckles Richards to end a miserable first half for the visitors.
It didn’t get much better after the break; Taylor Miles converted from the edge of the box following a javelin-esque long throw which ended up finding him on the edge of the box. Keeper Danny Bracken protested that he was unsighted due to a forward blocking him in an offside position, but in truth, at 4-0, it didn’t really matter much.
Casuals pulled one back late on with Cadogan’s smart finish from 20 yards and Sub Nat Pinney could’ve made the last five minutes interesting had he pipped George Marsh to a loose ball, but Liburd claimed his match ball and ended the contest with a follow-up from a parried shot, fired into the roof of the net. “5-1 and a long way home” was the song that left Casuals players and fans looking back on the third worst defeat in James Bracken’s seven seasons in charge.
“We haven’t had many days like that in my seven years but it happens,” said Bracken after the match.
“It’s funny because I don’t think we were desperately bad today. Perhaps a few individuals at the back had an off day. We can look at a number of the goals where we should’ve done better.
“Let’s remember, we had two or three great chances at nil-nil to put ourselves in front. And it wasn’t as if we were riding our luck with those. We started off the better side. But the chances that fell to them were so clear cut that they couldn’t miss. Obviously, it makes it supremely hard when you go three down to come back.
“Even in the second half, I thought we came out well and were worthy of snatching the first goal. We were in the ascendency when they hit their fourth and that flattened us. We still kept going and came back to 4-1 before they get a fifth. At that point, you just know it’s been one of those days. No matter what you do, it’s going to go against you. I thought the boys tried hard. I have no problem with the effort that they’ve put in. All I ever really ask is they give 100%.
“Everyone has these results though. Just look at Cray last year, when they were flying. They went to Bognor and lost 8-0. Cheshunt are a decent side but was it a 5-1 game? In my opinion, no. But if we defend like that and they’re as clinical as they have been, then it ends up like that.
“Hopefully it’s a one-off… an anomaly. I said to the boys that we don’t get many days like that and we’ll bounce back on Saturday and look to get a win. What we can’t accept is another one of these results either next Saturday or the following week. I don’t think that’ll happen. I think we’ll be just fine and we’ll be bouncing back as we should.”
Pitching In Isthmian League Premier
Saturday 11th December 2021
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (images here)
It was a day to forget for Corinthian-Casuals as they succumbed to a five-one defeat at the hands of a clinical Cheshunt, flying high in the playoff places.
Manager James Bracken apologised to fans after the final whistle declaring that ‘it wasn’t good enough’.
Finding themselves three down at half time, the odds were already stacked against Casuals and although they pulled a late goal back via Kieron Cadogan, it was ultimately a fruitless occasion for the Tolworth outfit.
Casuals came into the match six unbeaten, although having struggled to score in their most recent games. Probably unsurprising that one of the key strikers, Bobby Mills was still absent through suspension. Defensively, Casuals were tight, having conceded less than a goal a game in the league so far. That was about to change.
Cheshunt were in even better form having not lost in the league since the 9th October, and sitting top of the form guide for the last ten matches. Craig Edwards had also strengthened their squad with the addition of Rowan Liburd – the ex-League Championship professional who’d scored five in four games since becoming an Amber. He added another three on this occasion.
To be fair to Casuals, as many agreed on both sides, it never looked like a 5-1 game. Casuals fluffed their lines in front of goal on too many occasions and by rights, could’ve been a couple of goals to the good before Liburd got the first of his three on 17 minutes. They doubled their lead just before the half hour mark on a pitch that became increasingly tricky as the heavy rain descended.
Even at two-nil, Casuals pushed and forced a number of corners and held good pressure high up the field. But Cheshunt broke fast once again and Corinth were left exposed by Reece Beckles Richards to end a miserable first half for the visitors.
It didn’t get much better after the break; Taylor Miles converted from the edge of the box following a javelin-esque long throw which ended up finding him on the edge of the box. Keeper Danny Bracken protested that he was unsighted due to a forward blocking him in an offside position, but in truth, at 4-0, it didn’t really matter much.
Casuals pulled one back late on with Cadogan’s smart finish from 20 yards and Sub Nat Pinney could’ve made the last five minutes interesting had he pipped George Marsh to a loose ball, but Liburd claimed his match ball and ended the contest with a follow-up from a parried shot, fired into the roof of the net. “5-1 and a long way home” was the song that left Casuals players and fans looking back on the third worst defeat in James Bracken’s seven seasons in charge.
“We haven’t had many days like that in my seven years but it happens,” said Bracken after the match.
“It’s funny because I don’t think we were desperately bad today. Perhaps a few individuals at the back had an off day. We can look at a number of the goals where we should’ve done better.
“Let’s remember, we had two or three great chances at nil-nil to put ourselves in front. And it wasn’t as if we were riding our luck with those. We started off the better side. But the chances that fell to them were so clear cut that they couldn’t miss. Obviously, it makes it supremely hard when you go three down to come back.
“Even in the second half, I thought we came out well and were worthy of snatching the first goal. We were in the ascendency when they hit their fourth and that flattened us. We still kept going and came back to 4-1 before they get a fifth. At that point, you just know it’s been one of those days. No matter what you do, it’s going to go against you. I thought the boys tried hard. I have no problem with the effort that they’ve put in. All I ever really ask is they give 100%.
“Everyone has these results though. Just look at Cray last year, when they were flying. They went to Bognor and lost 8-0. Cheshunt are a decent side but was it a 5-1 game? In my opinion, no. But if we defend like that and they’re as clinical as they have been, then it ends up like that.
“Hopefully it’s a one-off… an anomaly. I said to the boys that we don’t get many days like that and we’ll bounce back on Saturday and look to get a win. What we can’t accept is another one of these results either next Saturday or the following week. I don’t think that’ll happen. I think we’ll be just fine and we’ll be bouncing back as we should.”
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