Corinthian-Casuals succumbed to a 4-3 defeat at Brightlingsea Regent in conditions described by Manager James Bracken as ‘farcical.’

Strong winds and heavy rain put pay to any football being played as both sides were buffeted by strong winds and torrential, freezing rain.

It was Regent who capitalised the most, taking a 4-1 lead into the break before a Casuals comeback simply ran out of time. With the wind driving straight down the length of the pitch, it was no surprise that six of the seven goals were scored at one end.

Regent scored with just two minutes on the clock when Jordan Barnett slammed home an Aaron Condon cross.

It was to get worse for Casuals with barely five minutes gone; a disputed free kick was played to Billy Hunt who turned and shot past Bracken to double Regent’s lead. Pinned in their own half, Casuals were three down when Condon shot from 20 yards to leave the Amateurs flailing. Hope was restored after Coskun Ekim’s free kick was lofted to the back post, met by Reece Hannigan who angled his header across goal to find Gabriel Odunaike to poke home.

Regent restored their three goal lead when Condon’s wind-assisted corner was fumbled by Danny Bracken.

It didn’t take long for Casuals to reduce arrears after the break. A lofted ball deep from defence caused all manner of problems for the Regent centre backs and fluffing their lines, Max Oldham raced on to round keeper James Bradbrook and score into an empty net.

In a late throw of the dice, Bracken made a triple substitution and went more direct. So direct, that Hakeem Adelakun’s halfway line free kick sailed over everyone, including Bradbrook and into the goal. There were last gasp chances, with Reece Hannigan and Warren Mfula causing problems. However, time ran out and Regent held on for a vital three points.

"That was certainly some of the most farcical conditions I’ve seen football played in," said Manager James Bracken following the defeat.

"We can’t complain though. It’s the same for both teams. But it certainly made it nothing like a game of football. It was a war of attrition… an ugly game. Seven horrible goals and unfortunately, we let in one too many of those.

"We should’ve done better in the first half, especially for a couple of the goals. The referee has had a massive hand in a couple of them too. But concede four goals in the first half and you’ve always got a mountain to climb.

"That said, we had a go in the second half and credit to the lads. 4-1 down and it can go one of two ways. They took it with the right attitude and was a much more positive second period. With a bit more luck, we could’ve nicked another.

"You have good days, you have bad days and then you have these days. You can’t look back and analyse that. We just need to draw a line under it and concentrate on the next game.

"The first goal had nothing to do with the wind and we have to be critical of our mistakes on that. To concede so early on, set the tone for the game and with that wind at their backs, it gave them the confidence to put us to the sword. Fair play to them, they did that by putting four past us. We didn’t help ourselves in the early stages. My brother will be the first to say that he should’ve punched the corner ball away rather than trying to catch it. So we have to be critical in parts but there’s also a level where you look at the conditions and the pitch and need to give them some leeway. The reaction after half time is what I’ll judge the day on.

Bracken can now look forward to his side hosting tenants Kingstonian in the Borough derby.

"That reaction is what we’ll need going into the derby match with Kingstonian next week. It’s a massive game for everyone. They’re on a good run and notched another good result against Bognor Regis. We’ll be doing everything we can to get prepared for this. Tactically, mentally, I’ll ensure we’re prepared for what K’s will bring and be prepared to get the three points we perhaps should’ve picked up today.

"We’ll be up for it and it’s up to us to ensure we do enough in the early stages of the game to get a grip of it, get the fans behind us and hopefully, we can then carry each other right through to the final whistle with three good points."