Badshot Lea manager Gavin Smith saw plenty of room for improvement for his side after they came from behind to beat Corinthian Casuals 3-2 at Westfield Lane in the Isthmian League South Central Division on Saturday afternoon.

The Baggies fell behind in the 34th minute when Reanu Grossett fired home from outside the area.

Steven Sylla equalised for Smith’s side on 76 minutes when he turned his man and smashed the ball home, and the Baggies led two minutes later when Sylla headed home from close range.

Rylee Wright put the Baggies 3-1 up in the 80th minute when he cracked home a shot from outside the box, although Danny Campion pulled a goal back for the visitors two minutes later when he fired home his penalty.

The Baggies finished with ten men after Baback Dehghani was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time, but the home side saw out the rest of the game to claim the three points.

The win came at a cost for the Baggies, though, with midfielders Kane Fitzgerald and Massimo Giamattei both picking up injuries.

“The injuries sum up what’s happening at the moment,” said Smith. “It’s been difficult. Every player we’re losing is a centre-midfielder, which isn’t helping.

“I wasn’t really pleased with the performance.

“We were lucky in the end – we didn’t play well. We look for performance first and foremost, which wasn’t there – but we got a result.

“Corinthian Casuals are where they are and it’s difficult to beat teams.

“In the end the three points becomes more important than the performance.”

While disappointed with his side’s performance, Smith did acknowledge that injuries have taken a toll on his squad.

“It’s difficult to be harsh because there has been so many changes and so many people are injured,” said Smith.

“The injuries are a joke – I’ve never known anything like it. We’ve lost George Frise, Kane, Josh Keeya, Massimo and Kai Allsopp – that’s five midfielders in the space of a few weeks.

“I don’t know the extend of Kane’s and hopefully Kai will be back soon. They are so important to how we want to play.

“People are struggling for form as well. Players are not playing well and we’re having to keep them out there.

“They’ve either got to play themselves through that or when someone comes back they’re going to take their shirt.

“Victor Ocansey is really disappointed with the performance because from his point of view it’s about his coaching and how he wants people to play.”

Smith was full of praise for two-goal hero Sylla, who helped turned the game around after a frustrating spell on the sidelines because of an injury.

“I’m pleased for Steven, because he scored the hat-trick against Sutton Common Rovers and then he got injured and he’s had to be patient,” said Smith.

“He’s done the right things. He hasn’t rushed back – he’s done exactly what he’s been told to do by his physio and it’s good to have him back because he’s got good ability.”

Saturday’s win followed an impressive 2-1 victory at high-flying Leatherhead in the Isthmian League South Central Division last Tuesday night (November 21).

The Baggies trailed 1-0 at half-time but turned the game on its head in the second half thanks to goals from George Hedley and Nick Medcraft.

Badshoe Lea travel to Northwood in the league on Saturday (3pm), before hosting Westfield in the Isthmian League South Central Division at Westfield Lane next Tuesday night (December 5).