Match Report - Tuesday 8th August 2007
Berkhamsted Town 1 Tring Corinthians 5
Berkhamsted out-boxed by calypso Corinthians
This was Corinthians’ first of two dress rehearsals before the opening game at Crawley Green on the 18th August. Corinthians went into this game missing defensive playmaker Tom McKee (shin splints) and winger Joy Hoque but welcomed into the side long-term targets Central Defender Chris Barrett, and midfielders Scott McCubbin and Ashley Higgins.
Corinthians were also very pleased to welcome back captain Shaun Coker in goal.
Corinthians got off to a nervy start as Berkhamsted fielding a stronger side than that which had recently dispatched of neighbours Tring Athletic made the best of the opening 15 minutes. Striker Greg Walsh was quick to capitalise on a defensive lapse from Will Hatton leaving him one on one with the keeper finishing neatly into the left corner of the net.
As has become their trade-mark, the Corinthians quickly shook off the set-back and continued to go about their business and soon enough 10 minutes later debutant Chris Barrett scored from a well executed Phil Hawkins corner to head in at the far post bringing the scores level. Corinthians were now getting into their stride and on 35 minutes they broke down the left to set Hawkins free at the far post who unselfishly squared the ball across to Herring who knocked the ball under the floundering keeper.
Going into the break 2-1 up it was important that Corinthians made their dominance count. During a spell that saw Corinthians pass the ball around with consummate calypso caress, the opening to the second half witnessed a superb move which started from the back and finished with striker Luke Byrne slotting into the bottom right – lovely stuff!
By now the Corinthians were well in to their stride and were giving Berkhamsted a lesson on how to keep the ball. McCubbin and Smith in particular were dominating the midfield with Higgins a constant threat threading through some splendid through balls to the lively Herring, and it was Higgins on the hour mark who added Corinthians 4th. Latching on to a pass between the centre-halves, Higgins out-paced the defenders to swing a right-footed shot in to the bottom of the net.
With Corinthians surging forward at will it was now a question of how many? On 65 minutes fans favourite Steve Lewis came on at left wing back and instantly added an additional threat. Despite having just recovered from a torn quadricep, Lewis tore into the heart of the opposition defence and on 80 minutes drove down the left wing and put an unstoppable cross into the 6 yard box which the unfortunate Berkhamsted centre half had no other choice than to put it in the back of his own net.
This was by far Corinthians best performance of the pre-season and at times looked as though they were indeed the team destined for great things as prophesised by their new manager.
Stood behind the dug-out Richard Hawkins, committee member and Corinthians number one fan was reportedly heard to comment “That really was a fine example of quick-passing football, Barrett was worth the entry fee alone – well done lads and cheers - mines a Strongbow!”
Profound words from Hawkins but Corinthians face their toughest test at home to Maidenhead on Saturday. They will need to a similar performance and then some to overcome the highly rated Conference South side.