17.11.07
Man of the match: Ethan Jerrome
A bizarre game at James Lane last week saw AFC Corinthians Reserves conspire to draw a game that they really should have taken three points from. With several players missing through injury but also several players returning manager Richard Hand was able to name a strong side, although bad traffic resulted in a last minute change of plans and a ten-man starting line up. With a referee shortage throughout the league first team manager Matthew Charters was called in to officiate the game.
The game started brightly, with the Corinthian strike force of Joe and Ethan Jerrome and Ricky Sidhu causing the Hop Leaf defence problem after problem, however the small dimensions of the pitch allowed the visitors to sit deep and use their goalkeeper as a sweeper to great effect. Richard Hand and Ben Ardron in the heart of the Corinthians defence were mopping up the Hop leaf attacks, ably supported by Simon Ibbitt and Ben Fasham at full-backs. On twenty minutes however from a rare Hop Leaf corner an inexplicable lack of marking left three attackers unmarked at the far post with plenty of time to discuss who would take the shot, and then volley home past the exposed Andy Stranks.
Rocked but determined to right what they considered to be an injustice the Whites pushed on, with Steve Cail and Richard Spurr in midfield getting into the box at every occasion, and with ten minutes left in the half a nice move down the right saw the ball laid off to Joe Jerrome on the edge of the box. His neat turn allowed him space and he fired home into the far corner to level the scores.
1-1 at half time and a tactical discussion was required regarding the team’s shape, but all were confident that the win was there for the taking. The second half continued in the same vein as Corinthians looked the more likely to score and Stranks was largely uninvolved. Sadly a the first of two mad 3 minute periods saw the home side concede two very avoidable goals in quick succession to find themselves 3-1 down. Here is where character is shown. Injuries to Cail and Fasham saw Andy Humphries and Rob Briginshaw enter the fray, and slowly Corinthians started to reaffirm their dominance.
3-1 became 3-2 when the excellent Ethan Jerrome beat his man on the left wing and crossed low for brother Joe to fire home his second of the game, and the scores were tied when a fine cross from the right was headed home at the near post by Sidhu who had made an excellent run across his defender. Not content with a draw the home side pushed forward for what they hoped would be a winner, and with 8 minutes remaining a Dean Franklin corner was headed unluckily into his own net by the visiting skipper who had led his side well throughout the game.
Unfortunately as ‘The Special One’ says, you are never more at risk than in the 3 minutes after you score, and in a heroic attempt to prove Jose right, Corinthians conceded 10 seconds, and 2 minutes after taking the lead to go into the final 5 minutes 5-4 down. Again great spirit was shown as the side pushed forward in search of the equaliser, and in the 89th minute another Franklin corner was headed home by Rob Briginshaw to secure Corinthians a share of the points.
Corinthians will see this as 2 points dropped following this performance, but must take some heart from a strong attacking performance and, strange as it sounds, a confident defensive game for the most part, however concentration is key and momentary lapses can leave you out of position, too far from your man or caught in possession. These are lessons that Corinthians will need to learn if they are to continue the steep progression that they are currently making. Next week sees the home fixture against YMCA Reserves who defeated Corinthians 4-0 earlier in the season.