Essex Olympian League – Division One
Venue: Stambridge Memorial Ground
Attendance: 20 (Est)
2022-23 Season: Match 40
Saturday 11th February 2022 – 2pm KO
Corin: Sky Blue & White Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks
Hill: Navy Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts & Socks
Corinthians battle hard to claim important win over Harold Hill
Corinthians 3 – 2 Harold Hill
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
This weekend’s match was an intruiging battle between promotion-chasing Corinthians & visitors Harold Hill, who are looking to make the most of their remaining matches to make their into mid-table at least in Essex Olympian League’s Division One. The hosts are dealing with several injuries at present, with influential goal-scorer Bailey Moss, winger Leo Clarke & full-back Billy Wilton among those unavailable. However, manager Chris Stoneham did field goalkeeper Nathan Warren between the sticks, with a central defence comprised of Alfie Knight, Connor Summerhill & Daniel Frimley. Mark Frostick and Charlie Marden were deployed as wing-backs, along with skipper Matt Burrell, Jordan Stoneham and Jake Hinkley in central midfield. Brodie Horne and John Bolton-Smith led the attack here. Harold Hill’s squad was also affected by some of their squad not being available here. They fielded Daniel Johnson in goal, with a four-man defence of Clarence Emeh, Thomas Northwood and Ray Snares & Joseph Connor in central defence. Captain Jack Suters was alongside Connor Leon & Mario Gjini in midfield, with Harry Watkins & Ashley Blackburn leading the forward line, with Troy Tizard-Cleghorn supporting them.
It was certainly a forgettable opening to the game for the visitors, who conceded after only two minutes. Corinthians wing-back Charlie Marden sent in a fine cross from the right side which found the retreating centre-back who could only head the ball past Hill custodian Daniel Johnson and high into his own goal. You had to empathise with the visitors, and they were up against it, dealing with fluid passing & brisk movement from the further motivated home forward line. Hard-working forward Brodie Horne made a good run on five minutes, before finding strike partner John Bolton-Smith, but the latter’s tame effort went wide of Johnson’s woodwork. Harold Hill were still decent on the counter-attack though, as forward Ashley Blackburn fired off-target with a decent curling strike. The visitors did level on 13 minutes, thanks to fine strike by Harry Watkins, as the ball sailed past home stopper Nathan Warren and into the right side of the net.
Much to the hosts’ credit though, they roared back into the lead only three minutes later as another decent flowing move involving wing-back Mark Frostick and skipper Matt Burrell ended with Horne’s calm finish low into the net, leaving Johnson little chance. It got even more frustrating for the visiting dug-out as Corinthians grabbed another goal on 19 minutes. Hill’s defensive lapses were exposed as good link-up play involving Marden and midfielder Jake Hinkley ended with Horne turning his marker well before slotting home with aplomb for his second goal of the day. To be fair though, Billy Cove’s side were still posing a threat on the counter-attack, and Troy Tizard-Cleghorn and Mario Gjini were breaking well from midfield, supporting Watkins & Blackburn to good effect. Tizard-Cleghorn did force a decent save from Warren with his low drive at the near post before the half-hour.
Half-Time: Corinthians 3 – 1 Harold Hill
Corinthians undoubtedly deserved their half-time lead, but there was a sense that there was more to come from this match. The second half began with more promise for the visitors, and Watkins’ good run and cross needed home centre-back Daniel Frimley to divert the ball over his own woodwork, as Hill forced a few set-pieces. Harold Hill did give themselves a chance of salvaging a point from the penalty spot, after referee Dave Bloxham pointed to the spot following Warren’s challenge.
The hosts were adamant that the goalkeeper got the ball but nonetheless, Tizard-Cleghorn slotted home the resulting penalty to the left side of the goal to ensure a gritty last twenty minutes for the hosts, who really needed the points. Harold Hill battled well and pushed further forward in tge latter stages, with substitute Ryan O’Connell’s first touch being a good effort which was well-tipped over the bar by Warren. Hill were leaving gaps in defence but Johnson pulled off a fine save onto the woodwork in added-time to deny Horne a hat-trick, after being unselfishly played in by replacement Max Jones, who moments earlier had fired wide when in a promising position.
Full-Time: Corinthians 3 – 2 Harold Hill
In summary, Corinthians made the most of a tepid start by the visitors and kept possession really well, particularly in the first half. After the break though, Harold Hill showed an admirable amount of courage and pace to force their way back into contention and give the hosts some nervy moments. Ultimately though, Corinthians showed enough steel & defensive nous to claim the win which keeps them fourth in the table, two points clear of Manford Way who picked up a huge 6 – 4 win at Corinthians’ promotion rivals Epping Town today.
There were several good performances from the Corinthians side here. They were led by two-goal striker Brodie Horne, who showcased his high work rate and movement to good effect, as well as utilising cool finishing for both goals. Centre-back Daniel Frimley also had a very good game here, and was a strong presence, making several good interceptions. Charlie Marden had a good game at right wing-back, putting in several good balls into the danger area and having good pace, with Jordan Stoneham having a good all-round game in central midfield also, competing well with the attack-minded visiting midfield.
For Harold Hill, forward Troy Tizard-Celghorn had a good game, with his influence growing after the interval as well as being a good presence in the air & showing decent pace. Ashley Blackburn also put in several good passes and surging runs down the channels to test the home backline at times. Winger Mario Gjini had a decent game also, showing his composure and good movement to make the most of available space. Lastly, a word for Jack Suters, who gave his all in central midfield & then in more of a defensive role after the break, making a number of important interceptions as the match went on.
Finally, I’d like to add that this was a entertaining match to watch and credit to both teams. Also, was nice to see both managers (Messrs Stoneham & Cove) as well, wish their respective teams well.
Teams
Corinthians | Manager: Chris Stoneham | Assistant: Graham Owen
Starting XI: 1 Nathan Warren (GK), 20 Charlie Marden, 3 Mark Frostick, 18 Daniel Frimley, 5 Connor Summerhill, 6 Alfie Knight, 8 Matt Burrell (Capt), 7 Jordan Stoneham, 19 Brodie Horne, 11 John Bolton-Smith, 10 Jake Hinkley
Goal-scorers: OG (Snares) [2′], Brodie Horne [16′ & 19′]
Subs On (Time): 14 Ryan Woodley [46′, replaced Burrell], 17 Max Jones [57′, replaced Bolton-Smith], 16 Mike Edgar [60′, replaced Hinkley]
Booked: Frostick, Horne | Subs Not Used: Brickwood
Harold Hill | Manager: Billy Cove | Assistant: George Young
Starting XI: 1 Daniel Johnson (GK), 2 Clarence Emeh, 3 Thomas Northwood, 5 Ray Snares, 6 Joseph Connor, 4 Jack Suters (Capt), 20 Connor Leon, 7 Mario Gjini, 8 Troy Tizard-Cleghorn, 10 Harry Watkins, 11 Ashley Blackburn
Goal-scorers: Harry Watkins [13′], Troy Tizard-Cleghorn [pen 69′]
Subs On: 14 Freddie Madle [46′, replaced Snares], 12 Ryan O’Connell [73′, replaced Leon]
Booked: Tizard-Cleghorn, Blackburn | Subs Not Used: None
Referee: David Bloxham
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