FA Youth Cup Campaign

Corinthian 13 - 1 Cray Wanderers 21/09/16

Corinthian started this seasons FA Youth Cup with a home match against Kent youth league side Cray Wanderers. The FA Youth Cup squad had only had 1 training session together prior to the match as a pre season decision to progress the squad early from youth team football into the first and reserve teams, meant limited time available for training. The game got off to the worst possible start when after only 4 minutes a speculative long range effort from a Cray midfield flew past captain Billy Johnson in the Corinthian goal and into the top corner. Corinthian responded in magnificent fashion and quickly began to dominate possession and territory and it wasn't long before we were back on level terms. The goal gave the side confidence and more goals followed. Oscar Housego was withdrawn after 33 minutes to rest him for first team activities with the score already an impressive 8-1 to Corinthian. The second half continued in the same fashion with Corinthian dominating possession, territory and the goal scoring, going on to win by an impressive 13 goals to 1. A good solid start to the FA Youth Cup campaign.

Squad;
B Johnson ©, Oladipupo, Mills, J Smith, Styles, Pearce, Thomas, Butcher, C Johnson (Adekoya 75 mins), Housego (Holland 33 mins), Clarke (L Smith 60 mins). Subs unused; Earl (GK), Skinner.

Hastings United 2 - 3 Corinthian 06/10/16

The draw for the second qualifying round was less than kind for Corinthian and meant a long drive down to the Sussex coast on a Thursday evening. Due to the progression of the players, many had in fact been involved and played 90 minutes in the first team fixture the previous night, so we knew just how tough the match was going to be. A lacklustre start from Corinthian was duly punished by Hastings, when another long range effort, this time with the aid of a heavy deflection, looped over Johnson, hit the post and hit the unlucky keeper on the back of the head just crossing the line. Somehow, despite playing so poorly, Corinthian managed to respond and a ball over the top of the Hastings defence was despatched by Louis Clarke, lobbing the on rushing goalie. Corinthian took the lead on the brink of half time when some good footwork from Oscar Housego on the edge of the area, resulted with the ball falling to Conor Johnson on the penalty spot and he smashed the ball into the back of the net to give Corinthian an undeserved lead. Corinthian were a lot brighter in the second period and dominated the game and limited Hastings to long range efforts. Despite Corinthian having numerous opportunities to put the game to bed it was Hastings that scored the next goal, when a wide free kick in the 87th minute deceived all and nestled into the far corner. With the affects of the first team match the night before and a tough encountered against Hastings, it looked as though extra time would have been too much for the squad. But after some good play on the left by Louis Clarke, the ball ran free to Oscar Housego who blasted the ball left footed from 20 yards into the bottom corner to spark scenes of wild celebrations amongst the players, management and supporters. A thoroughly deserved, hard fought victory against a good Hastings team.

Squad;
B Johnson ©, Skinner, Mills (Bradford 69 mins), J Smith, Styles, Pearce, Thomas (L Smith 45 mins), Butcher, C Johnson (Adekoya 88 mins), Housego, Clarke. Subs unused; Earl (GK), Oladipupo

Sutton United 0 – 3 Corinthian 19/10/16

Corinthian faced Sutton United in the final qualifying round, having lost to them in the Ryman league champions cup final back in May and also been heavily beaten in a pre season friendly by the same side. Corinthian this time seemed to get on top of Sutton and should have been ahead within 10 second when Oscar Housego fired at the keeper when 1 on 1. Malik Thomas then had a glorious opportunity to give Corinthian the lead in the 5th minute but again fired at the goalie when well placed. Sutton were a threat on the break, but Corinthian gained confidence from the early chances and opened the scoring when a Conor Johnson effort took a deflection off a Sutton defender and wrong footed the keeper and rolled into the net. Sutton had a guilt edged chance on the stroke of half time, but the ball ballooned over the bar when the striker should really have at least hit the target. Sutton came out at the start of the second half and were the better side without really creating any real chances and a clinical break away led by the impressive Malik Thomas, led to Louis Clarke tapping the ball home at the back post after a great cross from Malik. Corinthian continued to take the game to Sutton and substitute Bamiyo Oladipupo put the gloss on the result when he smashed the ball into the top corner deep into injury time from the edge of the penalty area to put Corinthian into the first round proper for the first time in 5 years.

Squad;
B Johnson ©, Holland, Bradford, J Smith, Styles, Pearce, Thomas (Oladipupo 85 mins), Butcher, C Johnson (Adekoya 80 mins), Housego, Clarke

Unused subs;
Earl (GK), Skinner, L Smith

Gillingham 3 – 1 Corinthian 01/11/16

Corinthian travelled to professional side Gillingham in the first round proper and for a third consecutive away tie in the competition. Gillingham as expected started the brighter and moved the ball very well and hassled Corinthian who struggled to really get into a passing rhythm. Billy Johnson in the Corinthian goal was the busier of the 2 keepers in the opening half an hour producing 2 very good saves, but also the defending of Louis Pearce was helping to keep Gillingham at bay. The game nearly turned on its head in the 33rd minute when a mistake by one of the 3 Gillingham centre halves let Louis Clarke through on goal, his toe poked effort came back off the post and with the net seemingly waiting to bulge from the rebound a world class clearance from a Gillingham centre back off the line kept the scores at 0-0. Gillingham went immediately up the other end from the Corinthian corner and from a right wing cross the Gills striker completely fluffed his lines and missed the target from the middle of the 6 yard box. Corinthian were happy to go in level at half time and felt that we could catch Gillingham on the break in the second half. The game was settled in 6 second half minutes, when 3 individual mistakes and a slight raise in tempo from Gillingham led to 3 goals being scored. Gillingham at this point began moving the ball very well and showed our boys the levels they are striving to achieve. Corinthian’s efforts deserved a goal and talisman Conor Johnson duly obliged in the 87th minute when he linked up well with Oscar Housego and his left footed shot nestled into the corner of the goal. Overall, Gillingham were too good for us on the day and fully deserved their victory but Corinthian deserved their goal for the effort and endeavor throughout. The squad should all look back on the FA Youth Cup run with immense pride in what they have achieved, to get to the first round proper is a very good achievement and playing at a professional stadium is something they should remember for a very long time.

Squad;

B Johnson ©, Holland, Mills (Bradford 58 mins), J Smith (Adekoya 70 mins), Styles, Pearce, Thomas (Oladipupo 75 mins), Butcher, C Johnson, Housego, Clarke.

Unused subs;
Earl (GK), L Smith

Updated 15:28 - 18 Feb 2020 by Susan Billings