If we’re still talking like this in March and April then yes, maybe Corinthian can win the league, says manager Michael Golding

CORINTHIAN manager Michael Golding says he is expecting a tough local derby against Punjab United on Saturday.

Sam Bewick slotted in the only goal of the game to beat fellow title rivals Beckenham Town at Eden Park Avenue on Saturday, to keep Corinthian in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division title race.

Dean Harrison has guided Fisher to the top of the tree at Christmas, having collected 43 points from 20 games, a point clear of Beckenham Town, who have played a game more.

Corinthian are in third-place with 41 points from 19 games, thanks to striker Bewick scoring his sixth goal of the season.

Chatham Town are in fourth-place (37 points from 18 games), followed by Cray Valley (34 points from 18 games) and Sheppey United (33 points from 18 games).

Corinthian will have home advantage over Punjab United on Saturday.

The Gravesend-based outfit are in the bottom four with 15 points from 19 games and beat Crowborough Athletic 3-0 at home at the weekend.

“Tough game, it’s a local derby,” said Golding.

“They’ve got a few of their boys in their side that I know, that were in our reserves a few years ago.

“We went down there earlier in the season – after we played in the FA Cup – and played them on the Monday and beat them 1-0 with literally the last kick of the game so it will be a tough game.

“All games when you’re at the top and when you’re in the mix are tough because you’re there to be shot at, or you’re trying to beat a rival so it will be a very, very tough game.

“They’ve signed a few players, they’ve signed Laurent Hamici and he’s trying to get a goalkeeper in that will benefit them as well.

“They’re a good side and they’ll stay out of trouble. If we’re not prepared for it and mentally switched on then that will be what does us in.”

Corinthian are searching for a manager for their Suburban League side after James Anderson left the club to manage struggling Rusthall.

The Rustics remain rooted in the bottom two in the Premier Division table on five points from 19 games after losing 3-2 at Glebe at the weekend.

Rusthall were 2-0 up courtesy of Charlie Clover and Stephen Camacho after 48 minutes but they threw it away after a tactical switch came back to bite the new manager as an own goal pulled a goal back in the 77^th minute, before Glebe won it at the death with Jack Clarke netting a penalty and Liam Rosenfield left unmarked inside the box to snatch the win.

Clover has quit Corinthian to team up with Anderson at Jockey Farm.

“We wish Jimmy all the best, it’s a good progression for him.  This club is all about progression, whether it’s players, managers or coaches, it’s about moving people on,” said Golding.

“Jimmy done a very, very good job last year. It didn’t quite go to plan this year.

“He’s spoken to a lot of our players from the reserves and Charlie’s decided that he’ll be guaranteed more minutes there and there’s no hard feelings.  They’ve got a very tough job but we just worry about ourselves. We wish them all the best. 

“I’ll shake his (Anderson) hand when I see him.  We don’t have to play them again but first team level is a bit different to what he’s experienced so far so I wish him all the best.”

When asked about being in the title race, the Corinthian manager replied: “We’re not saying about winning leagues, we are literally – the old boring cliché taking one game at a time.

“You’ve got Fisher at the top of the table, they’re the team to catch and the team to beat. 

“If we’re still talking like this in March and April then yes, maybe Corinthian can win the league.  It’s not even coming into the changing room.  The boys aren’t saying we can do this or that. It hasn’t even been considered. We’re just turning up, training hard, we win our games and move on to the next one.”

Corinthian  v  Punjab United
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 29 December 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Gay Dawn Farm, Valley Road, Longfield, Kent DA3 8LY