Beckenham Town 2-0 Corinthian - We're not going to set the world on fire, admits realistic Sitford

Saturday 22nd August 2009

BECKENHAM TOWN 2-0 CORINTHIAN
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 22nd August 2009
Stephen McCartney reports from Eden Park Avenue

CORINTHIAN veteran manager Tony Sitford admits his young side are totally out of their depth - as their first game back in the Kent League ended in a painful 2-0 defeat to highflying Beckenham Town.

The Gay Dawn Farm outfit were elected into the Bulmers Cider Kent League at an Emergency General Meeting just three days before the start of the season, and whilst Beckenham were playing their fourth league game today, Corinthian have had just over two weeks to prepare for their opening game today.

Goals from Nick Curren and Gary Gorman sealed the points for Beckenham, although they came up against a workmanlike Corinthian side, whose average age was just 20.

Had Beckenham not tried to walk the ball in past the impressive Corinthian goalkeeper Charles Thomes, during the first half, then they would have won this game more comfortably.

In the 15th minute, midfielder George Belchamber was denied when his right-footed drive was turned around the post by Thomes, and from the resulting corner, taken by Ibrahim Fusieni, Danny Bleach rose to head the ball goalwards, only for the ball to be headed off the line.

Beckenham deserved to take an 28th minute lead, courtesy of a fine strike from skipper Curren.

Beckenham started the attack by playing the ball around at the back, taking advantage of the slick playing surface at modest Eden Park Avenue, and when the ball finally went forward, with Corinthian chasing shadows, Durrand Jemmott set up Curren who drove a right-footed shot past Thornes to find the bottom right-hand corner.

Beckenham called the visiting goalkeeper into action again after 34 minutes.

A clearance from goalkeeper Nick Blue went straight to Danny Lawson’s feet and he released Fusieni out on the left and his angled long-range drive was tipped around the post by the busy goalkeeper.

Jemmott, who was guilty of the ball bouncing off his feet in and around the box too many times, was denied by the keeper’s legs in the 43rd minute after a move involving Bleach and Curren.

And the show-boating home side struck the underside of the crossbar as a rather one-sided half came to an end.

A driven kick from goalkeeper Blue went to Jemmott’s feet and Curren released Gorman and the former Orpington striker cracked an unstoppable right-footed drive, which gave the keeper no chance, but the thunderbolt smacked the underside of the bar and defensive-minded Corinthian escaped.

Unfortunately, the second half lacked any real quality, Beckenham squandered some good openings with Gary Gorman needing to sharpen up on his shooting.

Corinthian’s one and only attempt on goal finally arrived in the 67th minute.

Set-piece taker, central defender Adam Douglas, who along with Sam Jeffery are the only players in the side not a teenager, floated in a free-kick from the left and substitute striker Joe Curtain rose at the far post to send his downward header into Blue’s grateful arms at his near post.

Beckenham sealed the victory in the final nine minutes.

Curren played the ball out wide to substitute striker Steffan Forbes who in turn sent over a cross for Gary Gorman, who mis-hit his shot and the ball fortuitously spun towards goal and dropped into the bottom left-hand corner.

But the gulf from playing Kent Youth League football to the Bulmers Cider Kent League was painfully obvious and Corinthian admit to a season of struggle.

“The gap is tremendous and that’s why we came here today, going out there, not realising what’s going to happen to be honest,” Sitford admitted to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“Beckenham had 80% of the game, they had chances, I can’t argue about that.

“What we managed to do today is build a bit of confidence in the team.

“It was a little bit of a struggle,” he added. “At the end of it all, I’m delighted with it. A great welcome (from Beckenham Town), a lovely setting, it’s a nice place for youngsters to come and play and they played it very fair and in spirit.

“To be fair, we came here knowing and not expecting to win a game, but what we wanted is to see if we could compete at this level.”

Corinthian admit to being one of the whipping boys of Kent League football this season.

“We will finish near the bottom, but I don’t think we’ll finish bottom,” said Sitford.

“Look, what you have to put into perspective is this. We do not expect to be out of the bottom three, we expect to be competing this year.”

But Sitford, who won the Southern Premier League title in his first season as the manager of Gravesend & Northfleet 34 years ago, and managed Maidstone United during their Conference days, insists he will keep faith with the kids.

“We’re going to stick with youth,” he said. “We’re not going out to sign seven, eight, nine players, we’re not going to do it.

“We’re going to stick with youth players for the whole season. If we finish bottom, we’ll finish bottom, but we’re going to stick with the policy of the club.

“We know we’re not going to set the world on fire, but what we’re going to do is help these players learn and we’re going to give them a good experience.”

Beckenham Town boss Jason Huntley, meanwhile, admitted his side were “very sloppy” and felt that victory should have been by a far greater margin.

“I’ve just said to the boys in there, the most important thing was keeping a clean sheet and getting the three points,” Huntley told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“Wasn’t overly impressed with the way we played to be fair. I mean, it’s hard to say what they are, they’re a very youthful side. Corinthian worked very hard for each other, they didn’t give up.

“But I think we had a lot more to give and we dropped down a level to be fair. We never played nowhere near to what we’re capable of playing.

“I’ve not had a go at them because we’ve got the three points. I’ve been having a moan for the last couple of games.

“I try to encourage them and try and tell them the positives out of the game and I was disappointed with the second half performance.”

When asked that his side were trying to walk the ball into the net, the former Stanseld boss replied, “You’ve hit the nail on the head. We’re not taking our chances in front of goal. No-one will take responsibility and have a go - we could’ve had three or four (goals) first half.”

Beckenham Town: Nick Blue, Harry Harris, Danny Lawson, Charlie McCarthy, Danny Gorman, Danny Bleach (Steffan Forbes 75), George Belchamber, Nick Curran, Gary Gorman, Ibrahim Fusieni (Juan Ramirez 75), Durrand Jemmott (Darren Wise 86).

Subs: Jamal York, Charlie Hawkes.

Goals: Nick Curren 28, Gary Gorman 81

Booked: Nick Curren 57

Corinthian: Charles Thomes, Matthew Rozee, Shaun Douglas, Adam Douglas, John Martin, Charles Sweetman, Raymond Mfon, Sam Jeffrey (Graeme Lugar 82), Sam Dixon (Joe Curtain 62), James Morgan, Jamie Taylor (David Briant 82).

Subs: Ollie Hogben, Chris Slater.

Booked: James Morgan 39, Charles Sweetman 57

Attendance: 72

Referee: Mr Lee Dyson (Gravesend)

Assistants: Mr Anwar Aunjaud (Lee) & Mr Ashleigh Ainsley (Catford)