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Chatham boss James Collins enjoyed his side’s second cup win of the season even more than the first one.
Chats came from 2-0 down to beat Corinthian 3-2 in the Southern Counties East Challenge Cup final at Tonbridge on Saturday.
Having already won the Kent Senior Trophy last month, Collins enjoyed the day without having more league fixtures to worry about afterwards.
“I enjoyed it more than I thought I would,” said Collins. “To come back from that was a good way to win it.
“When we won the first cup final we still had the league games to play and we had a chance to win the league so now I can properly enjoy this one.
“There are only four trophies on offer and we’ve taken two of them which is pleasing – although we’d rather have won the two that Cray Valley are hopefully going to get!”
Despite trailing at the break, Collins was confident that his team would prevail with the conditions in their favour for the second half.
“It was probably the best thing that could happen to us,” said Collins, reflecting on their slow start.
“Corinthian had a decision to make at half-time – do they go for a third goal or not? We were going to have more pressure especially with that wind and even if it had got to the 85th minute I thought we would score.
“I felt more confident at half-time that we would win it than I did before the game.
“We scored but then the wind dropped and it became more even. It was a game of few chances, but it was a great way to win it.
“The wind played a big factor. They looked like they wanted to win it more in the first half and they deservedly went 2-0 up.
“But that first goal for us was massive because if they’re 2-0 up in the second half, they can come out and spoil it. It becomes a game when you have to score twice and you can panic.
“I thought we looked more dangerous but it was in my head that they score a lot of late goals – even at 3-2, I thought if it was to go 3-3 then they’d have the ascendancy.”
Defeat was hard to take for Corinthian manager Michael Golding – his side blowing a two-goal lead just days after they narrowly missed out on the Premier title to Cray Valley.
“When the dust settles it will be an incredible season – trying to convince myself and the players that at the moment is quite hard work,” said Golding.
“We were unfancied and I don’t think anyone thought we’d finish second and get to a cup final, although its bitterly disappointing now, we might as well finish 14th and get knocked out in the first round!
“The boys and the club have to take a lot of pride from it. We’ve been up there with some big hitters this season and that’s down to their hard work and dedication so we should be proud of what we’ve achieved.”
Chatham’s first goal, converted by Paul Vines on the stroke of half-time, was key for Golding.
“In the first half I thought we were really good, there was only one side in it but then Vinesy scored right on half-time,” he said. “Based on the second half they probably deserved the trophy.
“We knew we had the onslaught to come with the wind and we were hoping we’d keep that clean sheet until half-time.
“It changed our mindset and it changed theirs – their dressing room would have been completely different at 2-0. The goal just before half-time was the pivotal moment.”
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