Corinthian break their duck

The Hoops pick up their first win of the season, whilst Sevenoaks league struggles continue

Night seemed to fall very quickly around The Bourne Stadium. The ground is set beside Greatness Park, and set back from the surrounding residential roads, so the moment the sun disappeared the floodlights were the only illumination to be found, whilst all around us a black curtain had fallen. A pair of bats began to play around the one of the lights to the alarm of some young supporters in the front row of the stand, whilst the two sides warmed up on the pitch, hoping that any horror show would be confined to our fanged furry flying friends. That said, some of the shooting during pre-game practice was so wild that those behind the goal, and the bats, were in danger of being maimed. The bats probably have a preservation order, the rest of us just needed one.

Sevenoaks Town, our hosts, had already created many memories this season, even though we’re little more than two months in. A run to the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup saw giant killing victories over Pitching In Isthmian Premier Kingstonian and, even more remarkably, National League South side Bath City, before narrow defeat at Ebbsfleet United last weekend. Reaching the Third Round of the FA Trophy meant two club record cup runs in the same season, which must have delighted the home faithful.

It might be argued, however, that all of this cup success had come at a cost. After a phenomenal end to the previous campaign- twenty five points from their final ten matches- this season’s league campaign had seen one win from five matches when we all expected promotion form. Yes, they had games in hand over the sides around them, and yes, their cup form had been superb, but Oaks came into tonight’s match with Corinthian third from bottom and four points behind the side just outside the relegation play off spots, Sheppey United.

The other participants in this local derby started in much worse shape than their hosts. Corinthian had a fine first Isthmian campaign last season, finishing in eighth place and with only champions Hastings United, Play Off winners Herne Bay and Play Off Semi-Finalists Haywards Heath Town posting better defensive records. This season had seen a dramatic change in fortunes, and the hoops kicked off this evening having taken only one point from their eight matches and with by far the worst goal difference in the Division- minus thirteen. Still, if ever there was a match to pick up that first win, then surely a trip to take on the local rivals was the one!

Last season saw the sides meet three times, twice in the league and once in the Velocity Trophy. They came away with one win apiece, and three goals each. We were about to see whether they remained closely matched. Results over all competitions this season suggested otherwise- but there’s nothing like a local derby to be a leveller, and an away win might prove a catalyst for the visitors season and would perhaps provide extra motivation.

By half seven those watching on had just about finished their bacon rolls, stopped moaning about the lack of a printed programme (‘difficulties at the printers’), finished their discussion of Saturday’s match, and were watching expectantly. Corinthian got us underway, kicking towards the Eddie Diplock Stand and its small, illuminated scoreboard.

The hosts quickly found their passing range. Number nine Freddie Parker was the focal point, one moment dropping short and the next going long, ably supported by the trickery of Dami Olorunnisomo down the right and Brad Wilson down the left, but the side in green and white stood strong and denied them space and time to think, pulling almost everyone behind the ball and only allowing the hosts time in areas where they could do no harm. It took thirteen minutes for the first chance, a free kick finding Yahaya Bamba at the back post, but his header caused no trouble for Hoops keeper Dan Colmer.

In the twentieth minute the best chance so far came to Parker. A barnstorming run into the box saw him unbalance both himself and the attendant defenders, but he regained his balance quickest and forced the ball to Wilson, who in turn forced Colmer to save with an outstretched leg. We reached the midway point of the half with the hosts in charge of possession and with the best chances- yet that didn’t tell the whole story. The ball had probably spent more time in the Oaks box than that of their visitors, as they’d earned a number of set pieces- many of them carelessly conceded- and employed a long throw. Tyler McCarthy, however, had not been unduly troubled.

On thirty six minutes, excitement, as a spell of away pressure saw Oscar Housego crash to the ground in the box. The visitors shouted for a penalty, and the referee quickly said no- it seemed correctly, as it looked as if the visitors number ten had simply lost his balance trying to stop suddenly and reach the ball. Shortly afterwards at the other end the impressive Olorunnisomo fired wide, then back to the other end we went, the visitors earning a free kick right on the edge of the box. James Billings couldn’t direct his header goalward, Daniel Lopes could, but the ball dropped wide of the upright. The game had quickened, and at the other end Yahaya Bamba, perhaps the quickest player on the field, cut in and fired a shot which Colmer dived full length to his left to keep out.

Into added time and the pressure was all at the home end. A long throw, two corners and a free kick all saw the ball into the Oaks box, whilst the visiting players moaned at the referee. “He’s just like Alf Garnett, that bloke,” exclaimed a voice from the back of the stand. Which player he was unhappy with wasn’t clear. None of the visitors had a bald head, a moustache or a West Ham scarf. The whistle went, and we reached the break goalless.

The second half started with play imitating the pattern of the opening stages of the first, and no chances. Bamba picked up an injury, unfortunately, and was replaced by Daniel Hector, which was disappointing given he’d come closest to opening the scoring. Perhaps Hector could provide the spark? A supporter walked past the main stand carrying a hot water bottle, and she was probably warmer than the contest at this point. It very much needed something. A goal would help.

We got one almost immediately, and it came to the visitors, who celebrated as if they’d won the pools. The ball came across and found an unmarked boot, and it was one- nil, or more accurately nil-one, on fifty seven minutes. Brandon Davey was the scorer, and it seemed to inspire the visitors, Josh Leach testing McCarthy three minutes later. There had been a steadfast determination about Corinthian for the entire first hour- could they hold on for that first victory?

Oaks made two more changes as we moved into the last twenty five minutes, and it was a substitute that had their next chance, Hector, off balance, shooting so far over the bar that those bats were in danger once more. At the other end, Housego hit a free kick which bounced on top of the bar and out of play.

There was lots of urgency about Sevenoaks, but it almost seemed as if they were trying to charge forward so quickly they’d forgotten that they also had to control the ball. Pass after pass was overhit. It was wasteful, and it smacked almost of panic, but at least it kept the ball at the away end and forced a number of hoofed clearances. A chance came to Matthew Weaire, but his header, from about four yards, went wide, which was the story of Oaks night so far. They had seventeen minutes left to salvage something.

It was the visitors who came close. A free kick found Harry Sargent at the back post, but he could only clip the ball over the bar. At the other end Hector had a much better effort, which Colmer couldn’t hold, and it was hacked clear for a corner. That sparked more home pressure, and Emmanuel Mensah was inches away from latching on to a through ball with the goal at his mercy.

Into the last ten minutes, and the pressure was relentless. Surely the equaliser had to come- and Billings had to clear off the line from Karn Miller-Neave to prevent it. A quick break and the visitors had another chance, but the shot from substitute Olatunji was deflected wide. And then there were five minutes left, and a few home fans decided enough was enough and headed towards the exit.

Into added time we hurtled, and we had another goalline clearance, Billings again saving his side when the ball seemed destined for the net. The pressure continued, and we moved into the sixth added minutes. Surely there couldn’t be much longer? Colmer picked up an injury in a collision with Sam Johnson, who was also moving gingerly afterwards. A lone fan behind the goal complained loud and long that it should have been a penalty, with little accuracy. Into the ninety ninth minute and Colmer was once again called to save his side at the expense of a corner, and then there was another. How much longer? Keeper McCarthy up, but he couldn’t convert, and finally, time up.

The visitors celebration was loud and hearty- and, overall, it was also deserved.