A dual in the sun sees players seeing red.
The Crows travelled to Gay Dawn Farm to see if they could complete another league double after defeating the hosts 7-1 at home back in September 2016. However, it was unrealistic to expect that the points would be as easy to get this time for the Crows, especially following their 1-0 away win at one of our rivals for the title, Sevenoaks Town, last Tuesday. Corinthian had five players booked in that match so they had obviously toughened up since we played them previously.
Therefore, a tough match was anticipated and a tough match it was, although perhaps it turned out to be a far more physical encounter than expected, especially when you look at our past games against Corinthian and they've normally been good footballing games. Having said that, in the 7-1 win back in September, two Crows were booked and two Corinthian players were also booked before one of them, Jack Bath, saw a second yellow card midway through the second half and therefore saw red and was dismissed from the field of play.
However, that's all history we thought and as some of us settled down to watch the game in the new stand they've erected since we last played there, or stood by the perimeter fencing in the rather nice sunshine, a good football match was anticipated with us, of course, hoping the Crows would eventually come out on top.
in truth the match never really got going in a footballing sense in the first half as both sides cancelled each other out in the first 30 minutes, the play mainly taking place in the midfield area and when chances did come along the defences of both teams soon snuffed any threat out.
Another reason for the lack of flow in the play were the number of free kicks awarded throughout the match, I made it 34 in total, it may have been more, the reason for so many free kicks can be laid at the referee's door perhaps, may be being over fussy, although players have to take responsibility for their own actions and conduct during games when challenging for the ball or the way they react to a decision when made by the referee which they don't agree with as this has a bearing on the way the match is controlled.
Lack of clarity in decisions by a referee also leads to some confrontations and one such event happened in the 30th minute, the Crows seemed to have scored as the ball appeared to have crossed the line after rebounding off the post. Hagan in the Corinthian goal appeared to have dragged the ball back in to play as he was challenged and with the Crows claiming a goal, confusion rained as both the referee and his assistant seemed to get their wires crossed, one seemingly giving a goal, the other, giving a free kick for a foul on the 'keeper.
Protestations by defenders and attackers alike led to the officials having a chat and eventually the free kick won out, so it stayed at 0-0 but the tone was now set for the players of both sides to query many of the referee's future decisions. Personally, I don't think he had a great game but we all have to remember, without them, we don't have a game to watch.
In the 32nd minute the deadlock was broken as Mike Hagan latched on to a through ball and put his shot to Ellis' left hand as the stopper came out to narrow the angle and the ball nesstled in the corner of the net, 1-0 to Corinthians.
The lead lasted only 2 minutes though as a neat period of play by the Crows saw Clarke having a shot from a central position just inside the area, Joe Hagan was unable to hold on to the shot and Perry was on hand to tap the ball home for 1-1.
The Crows took the lead in the 38th minute when the dribbling skills of Muggeridge came to the fore as he weaved his way in to the opposition penalty area before putting a low cross over from the byeline which evaded everyone but Clarke who was waiting at the back post for another tap in and it was 2-1.
The first yellow of the day arrived in the 39th minute, Unwin going in to the book for a challenge near the dugouts, then Perry became the second player and second Crow to get a yellow card in the 44th minute, again for a tackle.
Half time was reached with the Crows 2-1 in front and on the balance of chances created and attacking threat, it was deserved but they had to dig deep and the prospect was likely to be the same for the second half as everyone went off to have their half time beverage.
The second half could have been a lot easier for the Crows had Muggeridge scored with a shot in the 47th minute from inside the area, on the angle, unfortunately, the effort was high and the ball went over the bar for a goal kick.
I don't know what happened to the referee at half time, if anything, however, from here-on in he seemed to want to either talk or book anyone who challenged him about a decision or indeed, for the ball or a player. Jack Billings became the first Corinthian player booked in the 52nd minute then Groombridge soon followed him in the 54th minute, a card that was to prove costly for him later on.
In the 55th minute the home side made their first substitution, Mike Hagan going off and Johnson coming on. As often happens substitututions disrupt the flow of a game and in the 66th minute Large went off injured to be replaced by Clarke.
The game was still pretty even, if fragmented and not many chances were being created by either side as we entered the last quarter of the match. The Crows made their first sub in the 73rd minute, Carrington coming on for Unwin who had acquitted himself well throughout his time on the pitch. The home side also made a change, Daramy being replaced by Housego.
Ellis then became the third Crow to see yellow for unsporting behaviour in the 74th minute before Jamie Billings also saw the yellow card in the 76th minute, the cards definitely totting up now.
Only 2 minutes later Clarke incurred the wrath of the referee and was also shown a yellow card and then in the 79th minute our very own Clarke also saw yellow for a tackle which the referee did not like.
With time running out Pearson replaced Perry in the 89th minute and there was still time for the home side to receive another yellow card, Evans the offender. This led to the award of a free kick outside the area which Carey took and put in to the top corner of the net from some 22 yards out, Hagan having no chance and 2-1 became 3-1 and the points safe.
This led to a reaction from the home players and Groombridge must have said something to the referee as he was shown a second yellow and therefore a red as he left the field. The Corinthian captain, Bath, was then shown a straight red, again for something he must have said it seems and the home side were down to nine players with minutes to go. Unfortunately for the Corinthian captain that's twice he has been dismissed against us this season and therefore he has had the hot water to himself earlier than expected.
After 96 minutes the game ended with the Crows deservedly getting the points and the consensus after the match was that Dan Tear was our Man of the Match with other notable performances from Attwood, Carey, Appiah and Boddy.
Not a great match overall but points win prizes and sometimes results have to be grafted for and dugout and the Crows showed they can definitely do that if required.