Corinthian-Casuals suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this year courtesy of a 3-0 defeat away to AFC Hornchurch, writes Joshua Doherty.

A scrappy first half ended with the Casuals going in behind when George Saunders curled a free kick from 20 yards out into the top corner on the stroke of half time.

Twenty minutes after the break, AFC Hornchurch doubled their lead when a cross into the box hit Reece Hannigan and trickled past Dan Bracken in the Casuals goal.

The hosts rounded off their victory in the 84th minute, when Elliot Purcell curled an effort into the goalkeeper's far left corner to send his side up to 16th.

The defeat leaves the Casuals in 14th position, ahead of an away trip to Folkestone on Tuesday (February 05).

“We were lethargic, slow, laborious on the ball and didn't have enough fight. I could go on and reel off a million negatives like I did at half time. It was rubbish and nowhere near good enough,” explained the Casuals manager James Bracken.

He continued: “Second half we were probably the better team until they scored their goal. When it's an own goal, again, it just kills you, it kills the team, the players and the mentality. That's three own goals now in a short space of time, and I said to our lads, where are our crosses that are forcing them to defend that kind of space? They're not going in enough.

“We can analyse our performance , and we have to, but I just think we have to look at ourselves, we have to be real about things now and just do better.”

Next for the Casuals is the visit to Folkestone, followed by a home tie against Lewes as they look to climb up the table again.

Bracken added: “Potentially we will now be looking over our shoulders towards those at the bottom, but potentially we could also win three or four in a row and be near the play-offs again. There is always 'potentially' but we have to now focus on Tuesday. I expect a reaction, if we don't get a reaction then we will have to look at things again.

"Folkestone will have a reaction as well after losing 6-0, which is surprising as they are a good team. Last time we lost 4-0 when we went there, it is not an easy place to go, and certainly not one where you look at the beginning of the season and earmark three points.

"With some of the performance levels we've seen today I'd be an absolute maniac to back us to go and do anything if I'm honest.”

Stuart Tree Press Officer & Programme Editor Corinthian-Casuals FC 07801 858973 A club rich in history and proud of its traditions King George's Arena / Queen Mary Close / Hook Rise South / Tolworth / KT6 7NA The information contained in this message is confidential and is intended for the addressee only. If you have received this message in error or there are any problems, please notify the originator immediately. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden.