We are trying to build a side that will be competitive in each and every fixture and hopefully we can cause some upsets along the way, says Corinthian boss Michael Golding

CORINTHIAN manager Michael Golding says his new-look side will go into their FA Cup tie tomorrow with confidence after a positive start to the new season.

The club bounced back from their relegation from the Isthmian League by beating Dan Scorer’s Kennington side 5-1 at Gay Dawn Farm last Saturday to rise to the summit of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table after match day one.

“We were pleased to kick start the season with a comprehensive win over Kennington,” said Golding.

“We were naturally disappointed to concede so early but credit must go to the players for sticking to the task at hand and other than the goal we conceded, I do not really remember Kennington forcing goalkeeper Nathan Boaman into too meaningful many saves after that.

“Conceding the goal so early, could have rocked the confidence in the side, especially as it is another new side put together, but the goals we scored were of a good quality, came at good times and in truth we probably could and should have won by more on the day.

“On the day we had six players starting a competitive game for Corinthian for the first time with another three off the bench also making their debuts, so all in all, we were happy with our days work for a newly assembled squad.”

Corinthian finished at the foot of the Isthmian League South East Division last season, picking up 28 points from their 38 league games.

“Relegation was tough to take, although, I think we all knew deep down that the season was going to be a struggle,” said Golding.

“When you have to rebuild a complete new side at Step Four without a budget (only Jamie Billings and Oscar Housego remained from the previous campaign), anything other than relegation would have been a huge achievement.

“On a personal level, we always felt we could turn things around, but the gulf in class between Step Four and Five proved too much for the young side that we had assembled, although in a roundabout way, I am sure the players that we had with us last year would have learned a lot about senior football and will be in a better place going forwards in their football futures.

“The management team met numerous times to contemplate what we wanted to do and although we were approached by other clubs this summer for the first time, we decided as a collective to embrace the challenge at Corinthian again this season and we have set about putting together a squad that will hopefully be competitive this season.

“A special mention must go to our first team coach Alfie Pailes, who has spent a huge amount of time on the phone and messaging players over the close season to help us add young and exciting players to the players that had remained at the club.”

Corinthian have hold advantage over Bedfont Sports Club in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tomorrow, a side that have yet opened their Combined Counties League Premier Division North campaign.

The winners will welcome Steve Lovell’s Herne Bay in the Preliminary Round on Saturday 19 August.

“The FA Cup tie against Bedfont Sports is an exciting one for everyone involved,” said Golding.

“Bedfont have a new management team after also suffering relegation from Step Four last season and in the friendlies we have watched them in, have put together a side of good quality and one I would be expecting to be competing at the top end of Step Five this season.

“We will go into the tie with confidence after a positive start to the season, but know that we will need to be at our very best to get anything from the fixture.

“The FA Cup is a chance for us as a playing and management team to give a little back to the club, the prize money on offer helps, with the purchases of new tracksuits and footballs etc and is a little added incentive for us all.

“In reality though, the match offers us another chance to ensure that performance and fitness levels are where we need them to be ahead of a couple of tough looking league fixtures over the next few weeks.

“The carrot of another home tie in the next round against Herne Bay will also be something both teams are looking at and hoping if we can get through this round, it gives us an opportunity to pit our wits against a side that were at Step Three last year.”

When asked about what his amateur club’s ambitions are for the season ahead, Golding replied: “Our aims and objectives for the season are always the same.  We are trying to build a side that will be competitive in each and every fixture and hopefully we can cause some upsets along the way.

“Having had to rebuild the squad almost from scratch again. The level of investment at Step Five in this area is at an all-time high, we just need to ensure that we are improving both individually and collectively as the season progresses and if we can maintain the level of improvement and add some consistency along the way, I am sure we will do well.”

Corinthian are at full-strength tomorrow, with Jack Unwin and Josh Brooker returning from holiday in time to take their place in the squad. 

Corinthian  v  Bedfont Sports Club
The Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 5 August 2023
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Gay Dawn Farm, Valley Road, Fawkham, Kent DA3 8LY