Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 1 Brightlingsea Regent
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 31st August 2019
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (pictures here)
It was Groundhog Day once again for Corinthian-Casuals as they suffered a third 1-0 loss this season, leaving them winless for August.
In parallels to last year, it wasn’t until September 15th that Casuals achieved their first league win, away at Harlow Town. From there, James Bracken’s side had climbed as high as sixth by the end of November. It’s still too early to begin worrying about league positions.
But Bracken will have plans to rectify the situation; the simple fact is the Amateurs are not scoring goals. Possession was good – probably one of the most commanding this season and work-rate is fine. As the Manager said after the game, had we already notched up a couple of wins, this would be put down to ‘one of those days’.
And it was one of those days. Brightlingsea Regent were the visitors and snuck home back to Essex on a smash and grab raid that was gifted to them by a solitary mistake.
Regent had started strong, looking to press for the first ten minutes but as the players settled, Casuals looked more threatening as the half continued. Reyon Dillon and Warren Morgan used the channels to advance on goal. Sadly, there was plenty of endeavour but lack of a finish. Kev Serbony had the best chance of the half when he found himself through on goal, but one heavy touch was enough for keeper Charlie Turner to smother the ball.
The second half started where the first had left off, with Casuals pushing forward. A fine cross from the left channel was met by the head of Nat Pinney, but despite its pace, was aimed down the throat of Turner.
The heavens opened and the ball zipped off the surface, with too many through passes not finding their target. Mike Dixon made excellent progress along the byline and looked in a promising position to score but was denied by a Regent defender at the last. Whilst it was one-way traffic, the goals continued to evade Casuals.
Then a brief foray for Regent into the box was cut out but Coskun Ekim but despite clearing his lines, erroneously overplayed it. Adam Hampson played a simple pass to substitute Ace Howell who’s scuffed shot bobbled over the line via the post.
Despite a late flurry of corners for Casuals, one of which was almost bundled over the line, the visitors clung on for a vital win and left Corinth wondering how they’d come away with nothing. Casuals didn’t deserve to win, solely on the fact they didn’t find the net, but most will scratch their heads as to how this match was lost.
“It’s hard to take,” admitted Bracken following the loss. “We keep saying this though. I’ve got to be careful that I don’t start to sound deluded, seeing something that perhaps isn’t there.
“We probably had 70% of the possession. We attacked with purpose. We put lots of bodies in and around their box. But we never found that bit of quality in the final third that we needed to create more chances. Saying that, we’ve had a few good efforts. Kevant’s one on one in the first half, where his heavy touch saw it slip away. We had another where Dicko couldn’t sort his feet out quick enough and was caught by the defender.
“Against Merstham, we entered their final third 49 times, but we never put any balls into dangerous areas. Today, we were able to deliver a few, but they didn’t fall our way.
“It’s very frustrating and it’s become a bit repetitive. Today was the first time I’ve pointed fingers at them in the changing room telling them to do better.
“We’ll watch the match back as it’s very easy to lay blame straight after the whistle. I’ll be armed with the knowledge to see exactly what’s gone wrong. It’s easy to lose the plot over mistakes so we’ll address it the right way. I’m in full support of all the lads today. They stuck to the game plan, approached the match in the right manner.
“After the first fifteen minutes when Regent came and had a go with the wind at their backs, it settled and seemed only a matter of time before we opened them up, scored and gone on from there.
“We need that first win. I don’t care who it comes against. If it’s against Sevenoaks Town, then fantastic. But that win needs to come soon. We’re playing with confidence, but I don’t know if the belief is there that we’re going to score several goals.
“I think there’ll be a game where we hit three or four goals against someone. Today really should’ve been that win. Or at Cheshunt, had we taken our chances we’d have come away with a 3-1 or 4-1 win.
“Of course, that first win can be a catalyst. Once we get one victory, I don’t think we’ll have a problem finding more. It’s just deeply frustrating when you realise it should’ve been today.
“I don’t care if we play absolute rubbish next week and win 1-0 because I’ll probably come away from it happy. Because that’s where we’re at. We’re concentrating on the performances and we’ve put in another decent shift today. But it isn’t three points. So, if it’s a bad performance but we win 1-0, I’ll take it.”
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 31st August 2019
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (pictures here)
It was Groundhog Day once again for Corinthian-Casuals as they suffered a third 1-0 loss this season, leaving them winless for August.
In parallels to last year, it wasn’t until September 15th that Casuals achieved their first league win, away at Harlow Town. From there, James Bracken’s side had climbed as high as sixth by the end of November. It’s still too early to begin worrying about league positions.
But Bracken will have plans to rectify the situation; the simple fact is the Amateurs are not scoring goals. Possession was good – probably one of the most commanding this season and work-rate is fine. As the Manager said after the game, had we already notched up a couple of wins, this would be put down to ‘one of those days’.
And it was one of those days. Brightlingsea Regent were the visitors and snuck home back to Essex on a smash and grab raid that was gifted to them by a solitary mistake.
Regent had started strong, looking to press for the first ten minutes but as the players settled, Casuals looked more threatening as the half continued. Reyon Dillon and Warren Morgan used the channels to advance on goal. Sadly, there was plenty of endeavour but lack of a finish. Kev Serbony had the best chance of the half when he found himself through on goal, but one heavy touch was enough for keeper Charlie Turner to smother the ball.
The second half started where the first had left off, with Casuals pushing forward. A fine cross from the left channel was met by the head of Nat Pinney, but despite its pace, was aimed down the throat of Turner.
The heavens opened and the ball zipped off the surface, with too many through passes not finding their target. Mike Dixon made excellent progress along the byline and looked in a promising position to score but was denied by a Regent defender at the last. Whilst it was one-way traffic, the goals continued to evade Casuals.
Then a brief foray for Regent into the box was cut out but Coskun Ekim but despite clearing his lines, erroneously overplayed it. Adam Hampson played a simple pass to substitute Ace Howell who’s scuffed shot bobbled over the line via the post.
Despite a late flurry of corners for Casuals, one of which was almost bundled over the line, the visitors clung on for a vital win and left Corinth wondering how they’d come away with nothing. Casuals didn’t deserve to win, solely on the fact they didn’t find the net, but most will scratch their heads as to how this match was lost.
“It’s hard to take,” admitted Bracken following the loss. “We keep saying this though. I’ve got to be careful that I don’t start to sound deluded, seeing something that perhaps isn’t there.
“We probably had 70% of the possession. We attacked with purpose. We put lots of bodies in and around their box. But we never found that bit of quality in the final third that we needed to create more chances. Saying that, we’ve had a few good efforts. Kevant’s one on one in the first half, where his heavy touch saw it slip away. We had another where Dicko couldn’t sort his feet out quick enough and was caught by the defender.
“Against Merstham, we entered their final third 49 times, but we never put any balls into dangerous areas. Today, we were able to deliver a few, but they didn’t fall our way.
“It’s very frustrating and it’s become a bit repetitive. Today was the first time I’ve pointed fingers at them in the changing room telling them to do better.
“We’ll watch the match back as it’s very easy to lay blame straight after the whistle. I’ll be armed with the knowledge to see exactly what’s gone wrong. It’s easy to lose the plot over mistakes so we’ll address it the right way. I’m in full support of all the lads today. They stuck to the game plan, approached the match in the right manner.
“After the first fifteen minutes when Regent came and had a go with the wind at their backs, it settled and seemed only a matter of time before we opened them up, scored and gone on from there.
“We need that first win. I don’t care who it comes against. If it’s against Sevenoaks Town, then fantastic. But that win needs to come soon. We’re playing with confidence, but I don’t know if the belief is there that we’re going to score several goals.
“I think there’ll be a game where we hit three or four goals against someone. Today really should’ve been that win. Or at Cheshunt, had we taken our chances we’d have come away with a 3-1 or 4-1 win.
“Of course, that first win can be a catalyst. Once we get one victory, I don’t think we’ll have a problem finding more. It’s just deeply frustrating when you realise it should’ve been today.
“I don’t care if we play absolute rubbish next week and win 1-0 because I’ll probably come away from it happy. Because that’s where we’re at. We’re concentrating on the performances and we’ve put in another decent shift today. But it isn’t three points. So, if it’s a bad performance but we win 1-0, I’ll take it.”
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