Last year we equalled the clubs best ever run in The FA Cup and the objective is for us to match and hopefully better that this year, says Corinthian boss Michael Golding

CORINTHIAN manager Michael Golding says his players’ hard work and quality will be enough for the club to be competitive in all competitions this season.

The Gay Dawn Farm outfit won their maiden Isthmian League South East Division game last Saturday, by coming home with a 2-1 win at Hythe Town.

Jack Mahoney scored Corinthian’s first goal as an Isthmian League club from a free-kick before Steven Watt’s side equalised through Alex Brown in the 63^rd minute before Luke Tanner notched a late winner to make a memorable day for the Longfield based outfit.

“We were absolutely delighted to start the season with a hard-fought three points at a team many are predicting to be in the title race this season,” said Golding.

“The players started incredibly well and we dominated the first half and deservedly led at half-time through an exceptional Jack Mahoney free-kick.

“The second half, we allowed Hythe back into it and when they equalised through a deflected shot, they were certainly in the ascendancy and had a large amount of possession and territory following the equaliser.

“But as I have said numerous times before, this group of players do not know when they are beat and they rallied together to stay in the game and for us to then score in the 92^nd minute, away from home against a top side in our first league game at Isthmian level, we could not have asked for a better start.”

Corinthian are in fifth-place in the league table after 90 minutes of football and when asked about his clubs aspirations for the season ahead, Golding replied: “Our aspirations for the league campaign are simply to work our hardest in each and every game and hope that our hard work and quality are enough for us to be competitive in all competitions this season.

“We have managed to keep every member of the squad that deservedly won promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, so it will be a great indicator of the strength of the squad if we are to then be competitive in the Isthmian League.

“We have internally set the players a series of individual and collective targets and we will need to continually be at our best to achieve these this season.

“The Isthmian supporter predictions have predicted us to be in a relegation battle and I am sure that most managers and teams will fancy their chances when playing us this season.

“There is a different feeling this season going into matches. We know that we have to fight tooth and nail for every point we earn, whereas the past couple of seasons we have not necessarily enjoyed victorie3s as we were expected to win each week.”

Corinthian take a break from the league on Saturday and face a tricky FA Cup Preliminary Round tie at Badshot Lea.

Badshot Lea sit proudly at the top of the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League Premier Division South table with three wins out of three, having beaten Horley Town (6-1), Molesey (7-0) and Camberley Town (1-0).

However, they needed a replay to beat East Preston in The FA Cup Preliminary Round, having been held to a 3-3 at home before finishing off the job by winning the replay 2-0.

“The FA Cup is the Greatest Cup Competition in the World and for myself as a manager, the players and the club to compete in this competition is an honour,” said Golding, who guided the club to the Second Qualifying Round last season before losing 1-0 at home to National League South side Hampton & Richmond Borough.

“Last year we equalled the clubs best ever run in the competition and the objective is for us to match and hopefully better that this year.  This will be a tough ask, particularly with the draw we have been given at Badshot Lea.

“They are a top side and have started their league campaign really well.  I watched them in the last round against East Preston and they are a side full of quality and a distinct playing style.

“Being the side in the higher division a lot of people will put us as favourites but having seen Badshot Lea play and the reports I have had on them, they are a side that I fully expect to be challenging at the top of the Combined Counties League Premier Division South with the likes of Jersey Bulls and Beckenham Town, so that gives an idea on how good they are and how tough the game will be.”

Badshot Lea  v  Corinthian
The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
Saturday 21 August 2021
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4PF