Lost today but Champions

Saturday 24 May 2025, Herongate Athletic 3 Corinthians 1 - Essex Olympian League, Division 1, Herongate Recreation Ground

Corinthians needed 2 points from 2 games to win the Championship, but the team looked to be missing many of those who played last Saturday. It was Herongate who seemed more 'up' for the game with their midfield dominating the much changed away side.

It was the home side who took the lead on 17 minutes then one of their better players added a second with a cracking shot from distance that completely fooled the Corinthians keeper.

We then started to see some of the ill discipline from the Corinthians team that was very evident last week, not helped by having two club linesman unlike last week where 3 neutral officials were in place. Herongate then added a third in injury time, from a header after the home player was left unmarked.

Herongate thought they had a 4th goal in the second half but the Corinthians linesman had seen an infringement, and the Ref took his word for it and disallowed the goal, this led to some ill feeling and some shouting between various players/managers/coaches - and ended up with the Ref ( who had a good game) sending off the Corinthians linesman!

The Corinthians management were not prepared to replace him, but in the end one of the Corinthians supporters took the flag, so at least the game could continue.

I thought we would have more bother but word came through that Harold Hill were also losing so the result would not matter, this seemed to calm things down and  in injury time, Corinthians got a consolation with a low driven shot into the corner of the net.

So Corinthians put in  a poor display, seemed to be missing numerous players, their first league defeat of the season, but they were still crowned champions, with one game to go.

Like last week at least two Essex Olympian League Officials were present, this time wearing EOFL Logo fleeces, too cold for Polo shirts, but again did not seem to be concerned about the ill discipline of Corinthians, I did stand near them at one stage and they seemed more concerned that they were not given enough free hospitality tickets at a recent cup game! Priorities!!

No need for it

Saturday 17 May 2025, Corinthians 2 Harold Hill 0 - Essex Olympian League, Div 1, Stambridge Memorial Ground

The venue is superb for this level, fully railed, lights, dug outs and a clubhouse, with plenty of memorabilia from Corinthians games plus a bar.

Football wise, this was 1st v 2nd, with Corinthians 2 points in front and both teams having 2 further games after today.

Quickly became obvious that both teams had a number of good players, some very experienced, a few maybe coming to the end of their playing days. Both teams produced some good moves, Harold Hill almost taking the lead in the first few minutes, Corinthians did hit the post but Harold Hill just edged it as the better team in the first half, what was disappointing is that the players challenged every decision the officials made, with the Corinthians team ( and their manager/coach and dug out)  being the worst offenders. Just before the break two players got involved in a tussle, Ref spoke to the linesman but then called the wrong Corinthians player over, this caused more abuse to come from their coaching team, but the Corinthians captain kept quiet as he was the real offender, in the end the Ref got it right and booked both players ( he could have sent both them off)

Second half was still very even, then Corinthians got a penalty, on 57 minutes, but that was well saved, however this did seem to cause Harold Hill to lose their shape and Corinthians got on top and went ahead with a cracking direct free kick on 69 Minutes, scored by their skipper, who many may think was lucky to still be on the pitch. 

Corinthians now had full control and added a second goal on 79 minutes, but the game had now got very niggly and there was still time for a Corinthians player to get a red card in injury time.

Game over and Corinthians now just need 2 points from 2 games to win the league , but no time to celebrate as both teams now decoded to have a brawl with one Corinthians player wanting to fight every one.

Even with the skirmishes it was a good football game, and not sure why both teams thought they needed to behave like this, Corinthians being the worst offenders - For me what was the most disappointing aspect of the day, was present at the game were 2 or 3 senior officials from the Essex Olympian League, wearing their branded ( free?) Polo shirts, but none had the moral courage to step in and help the match officials, part of the game they spent by the home dig out and would have witnessed 40 plus minutes of abuse coming from the bench, including the constant intimidation of the young linesman. They could and should have told the bench to behave.

Thursday, I witnessed a game that was a great advert for this league, but today, stills aw a good game but ruined by the poor behaviour of the Corinthians team and coaching staff and compounded by the presence of weak league officials, who lacked moral courage to step in when they should of.