27.10.07
Man of the match: Joff Charters
Following the disappointing performance last week, Corinthians approached this game with a determination to put things right. The fact that it was a cup match allowed them to try a different formation and to play with a bit more freedom than usual. They were boosted by the return of Joff Charters who had been injured all season with a broken foot.
Though the home side play their football in the division above Corinthians, to begin with there was not an obvious difference in class between the sides. On the contrary; Corinthians pressed early and were making progress in trying to break the deadlock. They forced a couple of corners and went close to scoring after one of them when the ball was not cleared properly and a goalmouth scramble ensued.
The home side survived this scare but the score line did not stay goalless for long. A good throw from Joff was flicked on by target man, Daniel Huggins, and was bundled over the line by Joe Carters for his first goal of the season. Corinthians thoroughly deserved their lead.
However, the advantage lasted about a minute. The dangerous Berkshire County Sports strike partnership worked an opening and managed to level the match. The home side were very comfortable on the ball and were making Corinthians work hard to get possession. But instead of folding under this pressure, the visitors regained the lead within 5 minutes of Sports’ equaliser. A well worked move, which involved Dave Hurley, saw the ball reach Daniel Huggins. The inform striker then proceeded to flick the ball on for Jon Smith to run through on goal. After checking back, he surprised the defence by unleashing an early shot which easily beat the keeper to his right.
Corinthians began to press further and, in what turned out to be an important passage of play, could have increased their lead. First of all, Chris Long was put clean through only to see his shot come back off the post and into the keeper’s arms. Not long after, Hurley created a chance for Jon Smith whose curling effort hit the other post. This was unlucky for the visitors, as the home side hit back straight afterwards and equalised after their talented striker rounded Jamie Scott to slot into an empty net. Disaster struck soon after as the same striker put the home side ahead for the first time as he completed his hattrick with a neat finish.
Still, at the break, manager Matt Charters was pleased with his side’s effort in the first half and told the team to carry on playing the ball on the deck and that there would be chances to win this game.
However, the second half saw the home side use their experience and they quickly increased their lead through their striker who was having an exceptional game and it seemed like he would not miss a single chance.
Finally the game closed out with 2 more goals - one for each side. Their striker completed a personal good day when he finished with a toe-poke after indecision in the Corinthians defence. However, a deflected shot by Huggins game the away side some hope when he made it 5-3. Though Corinthians hassled and applied sustained pressure as the final whistle neared, they were unable to draw any closer and the tie finished with a win for the home side.
While Corinthians lost this match, they can take heart from their performance which was a million miles away from how they played the week before. Next week sees the Whites take on Sandhurst Town and will require them to take their game to a new level if they want to proceed in that cup.