Suburban League Premier
Saturday 27th September 2014
By Joe Davies

After a 2 week break the Reserves were back in league action against Uxbridge for the second time, after a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the season at King George's.

In a fairly even first 20 minutes where no side really created any chances, the deadlock was finally broken against the run of play. A counter attack down the Uxbridge left allowed a byline cut back to an unmarked Uxbridge forward to pass home inside the six yard box.

Almost immediately from kick off Casuals nearly equalised. A Ross Defoe cross from deep was met superbly by Michael Salako whose header down into the bottom corner was brilliantly saved by the Uxbridge keeper.
Casuals began to dominate the rest of the half with Uxbridge only having one real chance which pulled a fantastic point blank save from Matte Pierson in the Casuals goal to stop Uxbridge extending their lead.
Amongst this Casuals were creating plenty of chances with Joe Goodman hitting the bar and post from corners but were unable to get back level.

The start of the second half started how it finished with Casuals on the front foot and with 50 minutes played Goodman should have done better with a chance that fell to him however it was smashed over the crossbar from 12 yards out.

Shortly after this against the run of play again Uxbridge extended their lead to 2-0. This time a diagonal ball caught out Ross Defoe, who was unable to stop the cross which left the Uxbridge forward to finish into the net with no Casuals defenders anywhere near him.

Within 5 minutes of Uxbridge's second goal Casuals pulled a goal back. A corner into the box was only half cleared and a strike by Joe Goodman amongst a goal mouth scramble was toe poked in by Casuals forward Luke Killeya to make it 2-1. 

Looking for the equaliser the away side had majority of possession and on the 70th minute that nearly came when Michael Salako managed to scramble himself through one on one but his effort went just wide of the post.
With all three subs made Casuals through everything they had at Uxbridge in the final 10 minutes with balls being bombarded into the box from set pieces and open play however with no more real clean cut chances and some good defending Casuals were unable to get the equaliser and Uxbridge held on to take all 3 points.

Looking back on the game myself and John can't really have too many complaints as we dominated the match and should have really won it. Again some individual mistakes cost us and while we are making these we are not going to win games. It's now 4 losses on the bounce now which is totally unacceptable, however apart from the second half against Royston, we haven't been played off the park which is reassuring. If we manage to cut out these costly mistakes we will start picking up points we probably deserve.

Team - Matte Pierson, Tommy Williams, Simon Clacher, Ben Bowra, Ross Defoe, Michael Fahm, Jake Wilgoss, Joe Goodman, Femi Balogun, Luke Killeya, Michael Salako
Subs - Seon Headley, Ryan McPherson, Shaun Brown

By Joe Davies.


In one of the longest journeys in the league the Reserves' second half collapse saw them drop more points on the Suburban Premier League.

After an early goal conceded within the first ten minutes, Casuals replied almost instantly with a diagonal ball from right back, Kieran Westwood to advancing left midfielder Ryan McPherson, who with maybe a little luck off his shin helped the ball past the oncoming Royston keeper into the back of the net.

Casuals were forced into a change on the half hour mark with Matt Ferdinando being replaced by William Tambwe. This however didn't affect things too much as just before half time a through ball from Joe Goodman allowed Femi Balogun to race through and smash the ball first time into the back of the net to put Corinthians 2-1 up at half time.
From a first half which was fairly even, maybe even slightly edged by the way side the second half was a totally different story. Apart from an early Joel Thompson effort which went just wide of the post, Casuals were pinned in their own half the majority of the second 45 minutes.

On 50 minutes some good wide play down Royston's left ended up with a cross into the box and unmarked at the back post the Royston forward had an easy tap in to draw the game level.

In the 65 minute Royston took the lead, a short corner not dealt with quickly enough allowed a cross into the box and unfortunately for defender Simon Clacher an outstretched leg could only turn the ball into his own net past a helpless Jake Soutter.

A disastrous second half got a lot worse for Casuals at the end when Meddie Nsubugu got caught on the ball in the last line of defence and the Ryston forward ran through clear one on one and slotted past Soutter in the final minutes to wrap the game up for the home side.

Reflecting on the game after myself and John were hugely disappointed with the second half performance after doing so well to get ourselves in front. The last thing I said to the players before they went back out at half time was the team that makes the fewest mistakes will get the result and looking back on their goals scored, it was our own individual mistakes that cost us rather than Royston's good play.

Team - Jake Soutter, Kieran Westwood, Meddie Nsubugu, Simon Clacher, Seon Headley, Joe Goodman, Jake Wilgoss, Matt Ferdinando, Femi Balogun, Joel Thompson, Ryan McPherson
Subs - Deris Sesay, William Tambwe, Joe Davies

Chessington & Hook Uts Res. 3 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals Res.
Suburban League Cup 1st Round, First Leg
Thursday 11th September 2014
Report by Joe Davies

A Suburban League Cup 1st Leg game on a Thursday night against a Chessington & Hook side was a chance to give some first team squad members some minutes under their belts.

On a poor, bobbly Chalky Lane pitch Casuals tried their usual passing game from the off but it was Chessington who took the lead after 5 minutes. A long diagonal ball over the Casuals defence caused some mis-communication between Mason Welch-Turner and keeper Jake Soutter for the Chessington wide player to run through and score in the bottom corner.

It didn't take Casuals long to get themselves back in the game and a ball through to Joel Thompson see him one on one with the keeper, he composed himself well and put it in the bottom corner after 8 minutes.

Again sloppy play down Casuals left saw Chessington regain the lead on 18 minutes. After many chances to clear the ball upfield the away side were caught on the ball which allowed the Chessington forward to finish off with a good finish.

As the half progressed Casuals begun to take control of things with Ross Defoe playing some delightful through balls but on two occasions Thompson was unable to finish the chances.

The second half Casuals started a lot brighter after a slight change in formation see them play with more width from Michael Fahm and Ross Defoe seeing more of the ball.  The latter gradually growing into the game beating 3 players in a tight area inside the box with ease but choose to pass rather than shoot, which would have put Casuals level.

More and more chances were falling Casuals way as they were camped in the Chessington half and a good strike from Man of the Match James Norton, was well saved by the Chessington keeper. Not long after this Casuals did grab a deserved equaliser from a Ross Defoe penalty (pictured). A good run from Wech-Turner down the left saw the young full back pulled back inside the box and the referee point to the spot.

In a second half where only one team looked like winning , all of Casuals hard work was undone as a long ball over the top saw Casuals keeper Soutter come rushing out however his mis-kick of the ball allowed the Chessington forward to easily tap it in to give them the win and slight advantage going into the second leg at King George's.

Team - Jake Soutter, Tommy Williams, Simon Clacher, Daniel Green, Mason Welch-Turner, Ben Bowra, Michael Fahm, James Norton, Ross Defoe, Michael Salako, Joel Thompson
Subs - Kieran Westwood, Femi Balogun, Joe Davies 

Tring Athletic 2 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals Res.
Saturday 6th September 2014
Suburban League Premier Division
Report by Joe Davies

The reserves second game in a week saw them come up against a well organised Tring Athletic in the Suburban Premier League. Casuals started the game by trying to keep possession without really getting anywhere with it and at times it was given away cheaply.

Tring however were allowing Casuals to play their football in front of them by getting players behind the ball on most occasions and looking for the long ball over the top, which worked early in the first half when the Casuals back four were caught square and the Tring forward run through, lobbed it over the oncoming Casuals keeper before passing into an empty net to put them 1-0 up.

This seemed to liven Casuals up and they became more of a threat with some better forward passes creating some half chances. Casuals finally equalised half way through the first half when Femi Balogun broke through from a midfield through ball to slide it past the Tring keeper. Joe Goodman had a long range effort, which stung the hands of the Tring keeper late on in the first half but neither keeper had much to do apart from that.

After probably just edging the second part of the first half Casuals would have wanted to push on the second half to go on and win the game but it did not quite work out that way and credit to Tring, they came out the second half livelier and had Casuals in their own half for long periods. This is when Tring got their second goal of the game after some less than impressive from the home side.

Casuals made some changes to try and change their fortunes but never really tested the Tring keeper until the last few minutes when a Luke Killeya shot from a goal mouth scramble was somehow cleared off the line to see Tring Athletic leave Tolworth with the 3 points.

After the game myself and John were disappointed with not just the result but the performance as well. To pick up a credible draw in the week to Sutton then lose in that fashion was most disappointing. There was some naive decisions from some of the more experienced players, which you wouldn't expect. We will put it down as a bad day at the office and go again on Thursday against Chessington and Hook in the 1st leg of the League Cup.

Team - Jake soutter, Tommy Williams, Ben Bowra, Luke Killeya, Fiazal Kiyingi, Joe Goodman, Jake Willgoss, James Norton, Luke Smith, Femi Balogun, David Ocquaye 
Subs - Seon Headley, Simon Clacher, Ben Robson, Kieran Westwood

Sutton United Res vs Corinthian-Casuals Res.
Suburban League Premier Division
Banstead Athletic Sports Ground
Wednesday 3rd September 2014
Report by Joe Davies

After not having a game at the weekend the Reserves were back in action last night against Sutton Utd Reserves at a breezy Banstead Athletic. In the first away game of the season, Sutton was always going to be one of the toughest fixtures faced and that proved correct when Sutton started the game very brightly. Casuals didn't help themselves in the early parts of the first half when they continually gave away possession easily, which allowed Sutton to attack. The Sutton wide players, in particularly the right sided winger was causing all kinds of trouble to Casuals defence, although there wasn't too many clear cut chances to end the moves.

The second period of the first half was a little more positive for the away side where they managed to play a little more inside the opponents half. This helped Casuals, a move involving Faizal Kiyingi, Femi Balogun, Tucky and Joel Thompson ended with Casuals first shot at goal, all be it a tame one.

The second half started fairly even and chances were at a minimum for both teams. There was a half chance for Thompson as he took a snap shot from the edge of the area which the Sutton keeper managed to push wide of the goal. 

As the game went on Sutton created a few more chances which could have put the game to bed but fortunately for Casuals the final finishes weren't on target. That said, in the final minutes of the game, Casuals decided to go a bit more route one from set pieces and a late header just went over the bar to stop Casuals stealing a win.

Looking back on the game, myself,John and Frenchy were disappointed on how we started although there was slight improvement as the game went on with some dogged defending to gain a credible draw against a good Sutton side. They might have felt they should have won the game as they probably had the better chances but we'd have been disappointed to lose as I think we done just about enough.

Team - Matte Pierson, Tommy Williams, Ben Bowra, Luke Killeya, Fiazal Kiyingi, Joe Goodman, Ross White, Jake Wilgoss, Joel Thompson, Femi Balogun, David Ocquaye
Subs - Seon Headley, James Norton, Simon Clacher

Suburban League Premier Division
Saturday 23rd August
Report by Joe Davies

The reserves played their second home game in a row against another young side, this time in Welling United. 

The game started off in a fairly evenly manner with no keeper really being tested, although if Welling had made more of the defensive mistakes that could have been very different. An excellent Luke Killeya last ditch tackle also prevented Welling from leading half way through the first half. That said, Casuals began to create a few chances of their own and good forward play saw Gareth Witter chest the ball down but his shot was blasted over the bar from 12 yards out.

In almost carbon copy in the 40th minute a diagonal ball into the box from Joe Goodman saw Witter bring the ball down on his chest and this time showed a bit more composure to blast the ball top corner past a hopeless Welling keeper.

Casuals continued to add pressure after the first goal and in the 45th minute after a goal mouth scramble the ball appeared to strike a Welling arm in the box. Luke Killeya stepped up to stroke the ball home in the bottom left corner to put Casuals 2 - 0 up.
"You're at your most vulnerable when you score" was the perfect cliche here, a forward ball from kick off see the Casuals back four turned and some strong play from the Welling right midfielder saw him get to the byline and cut the ball back for the Welling forward to spin and hit a shot past the Casuals keeper in one of the last kicks of the half.

With the slight wind now in Casuals favour, they begun to dominate the early stages of the first half and after 50 minutes Witter got his second of the game with a good finish inside the box to make the score 3 - 1.
Michael Salako could have added a fourth for Casuals but couldn't quite stretch far enough from a Joel Thompson cross and only managed to hit the post.

Some patient and well disciplined defending from Casuals, saw Welling play all their football in front of them and in the 70th minute Joe Goodman intercepted a pass on the half way line, which sent Salako forward with the ball at his feet, beating two oncoming players before getting to the edge of the Welling box he then jigged his way superbly through two more defenders before a composed finish to the left of the Welling keeper, a great solo goal.

With Casuals now 4 - 1 up the game was comfortably over and the last 20 minutes fizzled out with not much action both ends.

After the game myself and John were pleased on how the second half went and how much more clinical the finishing was on last week. If the players that we have, keep taking on the instructions given then it should be a good season ahead.

Team - Matte Pierson, Seon Headley, Meddie Nsubuga, Mason Welch-Turner, Joe Goodman, Ross White, Jake Willgoss, Joel Thompson, Gareth Witter, Michael Salako
Subs - Faizal Kiyingi, Ben Robson, James Norton, Femi Balogu

Suburban League Premier Divsion
Saturday 16th August 2014
Match report by Joe Davies

With the idea of more players pushing through to the first team mixed with youngsters there were major changes from last years reserve team for the opening game of the season, only 2 of last years regulars starting. With this in mind, myself and John were reasonably happy with the performance against a lively Uxbridge side.

Casuals conceded within the first half hour of an evenly matched game after two defensive mistakes. However this didn't stop us from trying to play our way out of trouble and we got our rewards not long after with a move which included a Ross Defoe switch of play to Shaun Brown who got into the area and was able to square it for Michael Salako to tap in. 

The second half Casuals took a lot more control of the game and carved out many openings but credit to the Uxbridge keeper who kept them in the game with some good blocks. Unable to get the second goal Casuals needed, the game finished in a draw.

For the first game of the season and considering there were a lot of new faces who hadn't played together before, there were a lot of positives to take into the season ahead.

Team - O'Shane Brown, Tommy Williams, Darren Chalke, Meddie Nsubugu, Mason Welch-Turner, Jake Willgoss, Joe Goodman, Ross Defoe, Shaun Brown, Jason Nwachukulv, Michael Salako

Subs - Joel Thompson, Seon Headley, James Norton, Ben Robson