17.11.07
Man of the match: TBC
AFC Corinthians’ topsy-turvy season continued with a disappointing 1-3 defeat against old foes, Hurst, on a wet Saturday afternoon at James Lane. Earlier in the season the Whites dominated the encounter between these sides, but still contrived to lose the game through sloppy defending and an inability to convert chances when they presented themselves. Unfortunately the return match was no different.
Daniel Huggins was amongst the noticeable absentees, but otherwise the home side lined up with a considerably strong team – which makes the result even more galling.
The game began at a furious tempo with both sides able to get an early feel for the game. But it was Corinthians who actually took the lead. From an in-swinging corner, centre back Jon Quinton kept the ball alive by heading towards goal, where Chris Long swivelled and volleyed home from 5 yards for his fifth goal of the season.
Where the home side should have been able to build on this advantage they began to play like they were 5-0 up and became sloppy both in attack and in defence. Players were beginning to try to play the difficult pass or settle for the long ball over the top instead of keeping possession and building attacks.
Hurst could sense this and began to chase every loose ball and close down the Corinthian back four quickly in order increase pressure and create uncertainty. They finally drew level when a misdirected goal-kick by Jamie Scott was smashed back from 30 yards with Scott’s desperate attempt at trying to reach the effort in vain.
This was no more than both sides deserved. If Corinthians did not realise they were in a close game before, then this goal served notice of the fact.
The half ended with no noteworthy action and so the home side had a chance to re-group and try to find a way of snapping out of the lazy passage of play which had just occurred.
The second half saw Corinthians dominate the opening stages. Long, playing on the left side of midfield, managed to find space and deliver a ball through to Finbar Mulberry racing through on goal. His nice touch took him inside his marker but his crisp shot was partially deflected and, sadly, onto the base of the post and out for a corner.
For all Corinthians attacking play and midfield possession, they could just not break down the resilient Hurst side. The longer this went on, it looked like a draw would be the result. However, Corinthians presented all 3 points on a platter for the visitors when a harmless attack, seemingly dealt with, only for the ball to be played about by the home side and not cleared when the opportunity was presented. The result was the ball finding its way to the scorer of the first goal who duly slapped home the opportunity.
Corinthians subsequently tried to attack and get a point but this only caused more gaps in the home sides defensive third. This allowed Hurst to finalise matters with a breakaway goal at the death.
Once again, missed opportunities combined with sloppy all-round defensive and attacking play meant the Corinthians ended the game with nothing and also meant that they gave all 6 points on offer against Hurst to their rivals, who gratefully received them.
Next week sees bottom of the table Highmoor Ibis Reserves and a chance to put this disappointment behind them and start afresh.