Corinthian 1-1 Sevenoaks Town - We'll be better next week and next week we'll be better the week after - I'm confident we'll be alright, says newly-appointed Sevenoaks Town boss Harry Hudson

Corinthian 1 – 1 Sevenoaks Town
Location	Gay Dawn Farm, Valley Road, Longfield, Kent DA3 8LY
Kickoff	26/02/2022 15:00

CORINTHIAN  1-1  SEVENOAKS TOWN
Isthmian League South East Division
Saturday 26 February 2022
Stephen McCartney reports form Gay Dawn Farm

SEVENOAKS TOWN manager Harry Hudson says he is feeling confident that his new club will be alright when it comes to surviving relegation from the Isthmian League South East Division during their last nine games of the season.

Hudson departed third-placed Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Glebe seven days ago to become involved in his first relegation dog-fight of his managerial career and he claimed a point in his first game in charge of the Greatness Park outfit.

The club parted ways with Micky Collins a day after their 4-0 defeat at Ashford United two weeks ago and Julian Leigh, Terry Groom and the since departed Jason Bourne took charge of the 3-1 home defeat to Burgess Hill Town last weekend, which extended their losing streak to five games.

Hudson made NINE changes to that side and was successful in enticing centre-half Corey Holder to leave Glebe to join him at Greatness Park.  Holder missed Glebe’s 1-0 win at K Sports last Monday through work commitments but accepted an offer to join Hudson at his new club after Sevenoaks Town put in an official seven-day approach.

Sevenoaks Town must now wait 28 days before they submit another approach for another current Glebe footballer.

Only central midfielder Joe Bingham and winger Jonathan Pilbeam survived the cull and Pilbeam flicked in his first goal of the season to give Sevenoaks Town the lead, following a corner, with four first half minutes remaining.

This local derby lacked quality and excitement for the 127 fans inside Gay Dawn Farm and eleventh-placed Corinthian deservedly equalised in the 89^th minute through Jack Mahoney’s deflected free-kick to score his ninth goal of the season.

“Difficult afternoon, probably wasn’t the best spectacle, I’d imagine to watch,” said Hudson, who met his new charges for training twice last week.

“We’ve had five days to work with the boys and the biggest thing I can say today is that they’ve given absolutely everything they could’ve given and that’s all we can ask.

“I think on another day we could’ve got three points, which would have been huge in the situation we are in now.  I thought the boys feel a bit deflated because we should’ve had three (points) but listen, it’s a foundation to build upon, it’s one point closer to safety. It was a difficult game but pleased with them.

“There were some fantastic performances today,” added Hudson.

“I thought Corey Holder and Tolulope Jonah at centre-half were fantastic. All the back four defended well. I thought Reece Gillies was an engine in midfield.  Kevat Serbonij was good, he blew out a bit and Freddie Parker was a real problem, a handful all game.

“All the players we’ve brought in haven’t been playing enough and that’s why we had people picking up injuries and getting leggy, getting cramp.  We asked them to do a lot of high intensity sprints and I don’t think that’s what they’re used to be doing so it was bound to be a little bit of a challenge.

“Losing Joe Bingham (dead leg) early on in the first half was a real loss as well.  I don’t think it will be a long one but at that point (in the game) I thought we were in the ascendancy.  We looked really solid in the middle of the park and Bingham was doing a lot of great work for us and that was a bit of a shame to lose him at that point but I thought we adapted relatively well.”

Corinthian manager Michael Golding added: “It was an incredibly tough game with Harry and pretty much a whole new squad coming in. We knew it was going to be tough.

“I don’t think we were near our best. I don’t think we deserved to win but I certainly don’t think we deserved to lose on the balance of the play so a draw, although it was a long time to get the equaliser, it probably was just about fair on the balance of play.

“We heard a few rumours of players who have been training with them on Wednesday night and a few of our boys know their boys and the way football works that everyone speaks and it was tough and it was more about us bring prepared for eventualities.

“We know how Harry is going to play in terms of his set-up and he’s a good coach but we know how he would set up and it was then down to us to adjust to the personnel when they got here.

“It was probably one of the tougher games of the season to prepare for because you’re going in pretty much blind knowing they are going to be wholesale changes.”

Corinthian created their first opening inside the opening five minutes when goalkeeper Aiden Prall threaded a free-kick close to the halfway line down the line for striker Ryan Atkinson, who cut in from the right and towards the edge of the box and the ball deflected across the keeper and past the far post for the first of seven Corinthian corners.

“Ryan’s got that quality and we try to get him on the ball as much as possible. I thought he could’ve possibly taken it a fraction earlier but he’s got a shot off and asked the question. It was a half decent block and went away for a corner,” said Golding.

Sevenoaks Town took eleven minutes to create a chance when central midfielder Kevat Serbonij emerged from a crowd of players on the half-way line to release Yahaya Bamba.  A couple of step-overs followed before the left-winger drilled his left-footed drive over the crossbar.

“It was a decent chance that, Yahaya’s a decent threat. When Yahaya gets one-v-one, he’s a real problem and when he went past the full-back – the full-back got booked today and that just shows Yahaya gave him a torrid time. It’s a shame it was on his weaker foot and he didn’t get the finish right,” said Hudson.

Ryan Sawyer – one of three Corinthian central defenders clopped a deep left-footed free-kick into the Sevenoaks Town penalty area where fellow centre-half Jamie Billings rose to head the ball across the face of goal and was comfortably caught by recalled goalkeeper Daniel Colmer.

Sevenoaks Town’s centre-half Tolulope Jonah – who played for Erith Town last weekend – launched 13 long throws into the Corinthian penalty area.

His first rocket launcher was cleared out to Serbonij, who hooked a half-volley over the crossbar from just inside the Corinthian penalty area in the 19^th minute.

When asked about going direct with a long throw from his centre-half, Hudson, who is well known for his attractive brand of passing football on the deck, replied: “It’s a weapon and if it’s a weapon that we can utilise.  It’s not something that I have done before but all that matters right now is being effective and picking up points and if it’s something that teams are going to struggle to deal with, we would be naive not to use it.”

Golding added: “We’re quite a big side so we don’t normally get bullied. The guy at Faversham (Lewis Chambers) has got a massive throw as well so we played down there in the cup and we dealt with his long throws pretty effectively.

“As soon as we saw the team sheet and you know the name and you know he’s got the long throw, the thing is with a long throw like that you’re always in the game, so it’s always gives you the opportunity the ball dropping down for firsts and seconds.”

Sevenoaks Town continued to dominate proceedings and Serbonij played an intelligent pass out to right-back Lesley Duru, who took a touch before whipping in a deep cross towards the back post.  Bamba did well to hook the ball towards the near-post, which Prall punched away and Bamba kept composed to tee up the unmarked Reece Gillies, whose 30-yard angled drive sailed over the crossbar.

Hudson said: “It was not a bad chance. We didn’t have a load of opportunities today but we managed to get the ball into some decent areas and got good support.

“I thought Reece covered every blade of grass today and it fell to him and he tried to keep it down. It wasn’t a million miles off, a difficult chance but only a half-chance to be honest.”

Golding added: “Although they are a new side and are always going to have that enthusiasm and that energy, particularly from the kick-off and it was about us dealing with that enthusiasm and trying to get a foothold in the game.

“They’re fighting for their lives. They’ve got nine games now to stay up and I’m sure with Harry in charge and the contacts that he’s got, they’ll be absolutely fine but it was never going to be the prettiest game today. It was about us making it difficult for them and them trying to get on the ball as much as possible.”

Corinthian’s system of two wing-backs and their three centre-halves lacked width as Sevenoaks Town played on the front foot and kept Jack Holland and Frankie Morgan in their defensive third but the home side created a good opening in the 38^th minute.

Holland joined in with an attack and played the ball into striker Harvey Smith, who linked up well with Atkinson before Smith stroked a first-time right-footed half-volley sailing over the crossbar from 22-yards out.

Hudson added: “There wasn’t a lot of chances either side. All we managed to do this week was to try to get some defensive structure and I thought in open play, I thought we looked pretty solid defensively. 

“I don’t remember loads of opportunities they created from open play. They’re a good, strong side from set-plays but we’ve only had meet and greet Monday and one session on Wednesday to try to get them set-up defensively and I think on that regard I was pleased with the way the boys adapted to the structure.”

Sevenoaks Town deserved their lead when it arrived in the 41^st minute, following the first of five of their corners.

Firstly, Colmer launched a big kick down the right channel and Corinthian centre-half Jamie Billings allowed Pilbeam to get in behind and ensured the ball went behind for a corner as the pair tussled for the ball on the by-line.

Sevenoaks’ left-back Charles Banya delivered an outswinging corner from the right and the unmarked Gillies hooked the ball on from just inside the box and the instinctive Pilbeam flicked his shot past Prall into the bottom near corner from inside the six-yard box.

“A good set-play, we did some work on set-plays in the week and (assistant manager) Mark Dacey takes credit,” said Hudson.

“It was a really, really important goal. Reece’s hit was good, it was a really good connection and Pilbeam’s reacted really well and turned it in.

“We spoke (at half-time) about just making sure we prioritise defending the back space because they’re very good at dropping the second ball over the back four and getting runners off, so we spoke about that and a little idea on how we can get some success playing.

“But ultimately doing this on a tactical board is very difficult. We need to get to work (during training sessions) so we’re not going to have loads of offensive patterns today.

“It was a job half done and we had to dig in and fight and get the second goal and I thought at the start of the second half I thought we started brighter than them.”

Golding added: “I mean, we had words at half-time about the goal because it’s completely unacceptable and it’s not the first time a goal like that has happened against us this season.

“The two contacts from the corner was disappointing because we’ve been alright defending set-pieces but it was the build-up to that with the offside and then the way the ball went out for a corner and the communication is completely unacceptable. We spoke about it and we’ll deal with that during the week.

“I think with the slope and the wind, I thought it was a hard half and if you can get in at nil-nil, you kind of got that foothold in the game so to concede on the stroke of half-time was bitterly disappointing and the manner of it was well was frustrating because there was never going to be many chances so when you give a goal away like we did and we found a way to give them that goal that was the frustrating thing.

“We highlighted a couple of weaknesses in their 11 that we thought we could get at and we felt if we could be a little bit more inventive in our play, we could exploit their weakness, especially with the wind and the hill and try to pin them a little bit more.”

Corinthian edged the second half but this game had a typical local derby feel to it – it wasn’t very exciting!

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Morgan’s second corner came in from the right and Sawyer’s far-post header looped into Colmer’s hands for a comfortable catch ten minutes into the half.

Jamie Billings launched several long diagonal balls into the Sevenoaks box and Mahoney’s flick found Morgan in space on the right hand side of the penalty area but he steered his shot past the near post when a chance came his way after Corinthian upped their urgency levels and tempo.

Golding said: “I thought we were the dominant side in the second half. I thought they had a few breaking opportunities as you would expect. We’re at home and we wanted to win the game and they had that luxury of being 1-0 up so they can hit us on the break.

“We can mix up how we play. We’ve got that opportunity of long diagonals from Jamie Billings. He’s got that good quality and we’ve got willing runners to get in and around people.

“We didn’t create loads and loads in the second half. I don’t think Aiden Prall had too much to do at all in the second half but it wasn’t loads of free-flowing football and shots on target – it wasn’t that kind of game.”

Sevenoaks Town created very little during the second half but they should have done better halfway through the half.

Debutant striker Freddie Parker suffered an isolating game up on his own but he drove into the penalty area before putting it on the plate for Gillies, who lacked composure and sliced his shot across the face of goal from 12-yards, only for Corinthian to clear their lines.

Hudson simply added: “It wasn’t a game of a load of chances. I’m not going to deny that.”

Joshua Stirman was one of a midfield three during the first half before Golding put him up front on his own at the start of the second half before he was withdrawn in the 73^rd minute after that experiment failed to work.

Golding said: “Stirs did alright. He’s had a little run in the team recently where he was in at the start and then he came out and like we do with all young players.  It’s about taking them out and putting them in at the right times and he’s doing a good job for the team.

“He had a little run of scoring goals and it’s not quite happened for him in the last couple of games but he does an incredible job for the team with his work-rate and he’s well-liked by the management and by the boys. He’s playing slightly out of position, he’s not a natural number nine or number 10 but he’s doing a very good job for the team.”

Jamie Billings launched another left-footed free-kick from the halfway line towards the edge of the box but centre-half Lekan Majoyegbe rose on the edge of the box and steered his free header across goal and harmlessly past the far post as the game approached the final 15 minutes.

Corinthian called visiting goalkeeper Colmer into making a couple of vital saves inside the final five minutes.

Yet again, Jamie Billings launched a long diagonal from inside his own half and Oaks’ left-back Banya opened the gate to let in substitute central midfielder Charlie Edmundson but his poked shot from a tight angle from just inside the corner of the six-yard box was blocked by the keeper, who narrowed the angle.

Golding said: “Another good ball into a great area. We said if we can’t pass through people and we can’t be pretty and be on the ball, it’s about putting the ball in the right area and asking questions.

“It was a great ball and maybe Charlie could’ve taken it first-time, I don’t know. He's the one in that situation. It’s a great first touch and the keeper’s come out and spread himself well.

“It looked at that point it was probably going to slip away from us so to go and get the equaliser was obviously pleasing.”

Hudson added: “It was a big diagonal, which we got caught underneath. Dan done really well today.  Dan wasn’t meant to be playing today and Tyler McCarthy was unwell this morning so Dan’s come in last minute and done a phenomenal job for us.

“It’s really unfair to call upon a goalie on the morning of the game and ask him to come and do a job for us. I can’t speak highly enough of Dan in that regard. His performance was fantastic today and I’ve got the upmost respect for that.”

Mahoney then whipped in a great cross from the right and ineffective striker Smith flicked his free-header towards the top far corner from 12-yards, only for Colmer to fly high to his right to tip the ball behind for a corner.

Golding said: “Really good save. I thought we caused them a few more problems when we changed formation. It was a great ball in. Mahoney’s another one whose got that quality.

“Harvey’s done well.  He’s waited a long time, same as Charlie, for a chance.  They’re both young kids and they’re learning their trade and they’ve been given their opportunities here to go and prove themselves. It was a really good save because I thought Harvey got more of a contact to maybe sneak in to the back post.”

Hudson added: “A really good delivery from them, wrapped a really good ball in and a runner’s got ahead and it was a really great save by Dan.”

Corinthian deservedly restored parity in this disappointing derby with 43:36 on clock, after Sevenoaks Town substitute Ryan Palmer was penalised by referee Aaron Conn for handball in a central position.

Colmer lined up a five-man wall in the centre of the pitch and Mahoney stroked a left-footed shot from 28-yards, which bounced off the wall and left Colmer flat-footed as the ball whistled past him, just left of centre.

Golding said: “They’re always unfortunate when you’re the defending team and it takes a deflection and we’ve had a couple against us this year and there’s nothing the keeper can do about that.

“Mahoney’s hit it, it’s on target, it’s asking the question and that’s all you can do. So often you see those smashed over the bar and become an absolute waste but he’s controlled his shot. It was a long time coming but I certainly think it was just rewards for our endeavour in the afternoon.”

Hudson added: “Bitterly disappointed (to concede) in the 89^th minute.  I don’t think it’s a free-kick, a handball from Ryan Palmer, which is mad I thought personally. Anyway, a deflected free-kick, there’s not much you can do unfortunately.

“On another day it hits the wall and goes out or even if it does hit the wall Dan takes it comfortably. It’s just one of those. It’s just a bit heart-breaking to happen in the 89^th minute.”

Sevenoaks Town remain in the bottom three with 24 points from their 29 league games, now two points clear of Phoenix Sports and Whitstable Town, who both lost 3-1 today and are both locked on 22 points from 29 games.  Sevenoaks Town are three points adrift of Whitehawk.

Sevenoaks Town, meanwhile, welcome fifth-placed play-off chasing Herne Bay to Greatness Park in seven days’ time.

“It’s going to be a really hard game. Herne Bay are pushing for promotion this year. They’ve got some outstanding players,” said Hudson.

“It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get the three points today. It’s a foundation to build upon and that’s the most important thing. Whatever we were like today, we’ll be better next week and next week we’ll be better the week after, that’s all I can say. If we perform and have the care and the desire that we had today, I’m confident we’ll be alright.”

When asked about being involved in and the pressures of a relegation dog-fight, Hudson replied: “It’s good to expose yourself to different things so ultimately whether you’re fighting for promotion or fighting relegation or you’re tyring to finish as high as you can, it’s 11-v-11, it’s three points on the line. You’ve got to prepare yourself the best as possible.

“You have not got to look at other teams around us, just focus on ourselves. If we can focus every week on being better than we were the week before, if that’s the starting point, I’m confident that we’ll be fine.”

Corinthian have been stuck in eleventh place (with 39 points from 28 games) for the last six weeks and have extended their unbeaten record to five league games.

Corinthian, meanwhile, lock horns with Ashford United in the Kent Senior Cup here on Tuesday night, with the winners away to Hythe Town in the Quarter-Finals, before they travel to league leaders Hastings United next Saturday.

“It’s eleventh, the boys laugh about it. It’s frustrating particularly because we want to be better because we’ve created that habit of winning and that culture of winning so when you come up into a new league, we didn’t expect to win all of our games this year, absolutely not.

“We’re all ambitious, we’re comfortable, we’re safe. I’ll be very, very surprised if we get involved in any kind of relegation battle from where we are now, so I think outside of these four walls of this changing room we’ve massively over-achieved. We shouldn’t be in this division if you look at infrastructure, the size of the club, the supporter base and the no budget comes into it.  We shouldn’t even be competing at this level so to be midtable, yes, it’s frustrating but it’s an unbelievable achievement by the boys.

“We’ve signed one player this year, Ryan Atkinson has come in and he’s been in and out of the side. We’ve signed a few boys up from the under 23s and the rest of the boys were in the SCEFL, so to those boys it’s a massive testament to what they have done this year and I’m so, so proud of them.

“But we’re all ambitious and we all want to do better but I think if you look at it as a whole and you put it into perspective the first (full) season up at this level to be comfortably in midtable, we’ve got to be happy with that.”

Corinthian: Aiden Prall, Jack Holland, Frankie Morgan, Ryan Sawyer, Jamie Billings, Lekan Majoyegbe, Jack Mahoney, Josh James, Harvey Smith, Ryan Atkinson (Alexander Jack Billings 64), Joshua Stirman (Charlie Edmundson 73).
Subs: Jack Bath, Jamie Miller, Luke Tanner

Goal: Jack Mahoney 89

Booked: Jack Holland 56

Sevenoaks Town: Daniel Colmer, Lesley Duru, Charles Banya, Joe Bingham (Jordan Johnson 34), Tolulope Jonah, Corey Holder, Yayaya Bamba (Ryan Palmer 57), Kevat Serbonij (Michael Aziaya 74), Freddie Parker, Reece Gillies, Jonathan Pilbeam.
Subs: Kyle De Silva, Jefferey Oredein

Goal: Jonathan Pilbeam 41

Booked: Ryan Palmer 90

Attendance: 127
Referee: Mr Aaron Conn
Assistants: Mr Andrew Simmonds & Mr James Goodman