Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 Billericay Town
Reilly 15                           Isiaka 70
                                          Cerulli 90

Pitching in Isthmian Premier League
Saturday 22 April 2023
Attendance 304
Match Report by James Streatfield
Photo by Stuart Tree

Late heartbreak was the order of the day for Corinthian-Casuals as they fell to defeat after a last-ditch onslaught from a visiting Billericay Town following a game that saw both sides create chances aplenty and left both sets of fans bemused as to how it only finished 2-1.

Casuals made the perfect start as their pressure paid off a quarter of an hour in — Finlay Lovatt capitalised on a loose ball from Billericay’s Harry Seaden, playing a square ball to Mack Reilly who tapped home from six yards.

The hosts almost doubled their lead when Ricardo Thompson made a surging run from midfield before being taken down just outside the area. Lovatt’s dead-ball attempt flew just adrift of the top-left corner.

Sahid Kamara was involved as ever, as he expertly found space on the edge of the box, before firing a right-footed shot that slammed the crossbar just before half-time.

Going into the break, Casuals would have been pleased with the way they managed Billericay’s threat in the first 45 minutes, with Callum Coulter remaining virtually untroubled at that point.

Shortly after the break, Billericay came close after a Bradley Stevenson corner evaded those in the box and ended in a Casuals goal kick. A warning sign for the home side, showing Billericay were not down and out.

Casuals responded to the early pressure as Lovatt fashioned a way into the Billericay area and played the ball across the six-yard box, but no one in a pink-and-chocolate shirt could fire home. Chislett picked the ball up after the passage of play, smashing in a low shot, but Seaden was equal to it.

Casuals’ advantage was scrapped after a hopeful ball from George Wind found substitute Kareem Isiaka who made space before smashing his shot high into the top-left corner of Coulter’s net.

Billericay looked to have gone ahead soon afterwards as Michael Chambers rose highest from a corner, and with his header floating towards the far left corner, Casuals’ captain fantastic Jack Tucker was there to meet it on the line, heading away to keep the score level.

At the other end, Kamara’s shot from outside the area looked to be nestling into the far corner, but with Seaden rooted to the spot, the strike hit the woodwork for the second time, this time bouncing off the upright — when your luck’s out, it’s out.

With the game looking set to finish all square, Casuals succumbed to defeat late on, when the ball fell to Alfie Cerulli from a corner and he lashed it into the top-right corner to win the game for Billericay.

Despite the result, Casuals were unlucky not to put the ball in the net on multiple occasions and will be disappointed to have not given their loyal contingent something to cheer about on the final day.

The season awards were handed out in the clubhouse after the game, as Callum Coulter was voted Supporters’ Player of the Year, while Ricardo Thompson was named Players’ Player of the Year for the second consecutive campaign.


Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Chislett, Lahan, Collins, Hyman, Tucker; Thompson, Lovatt; Kamara, Duru (Adeoti-Ajiboye 78), Reilly (McDonald 82)

Corinthian-Casuals 1-4 Carshalton Athletic 
Williams 89                      Akinwande​ 7 
                                           Lema 31 
                                           Ekpiteta 69 
                                           McKenzie-Atumuto 86 
 
Pitching in Isthmian Premier League  
Saturday 11 March 2023 
Attendance 345 
Match Report by James Streatfield 
Photo by Chris Randall
 
A late Morgan Williams piledriver was the only consolation for Corinthian-Casuals as they fell to a 4-1 defeat at home to local rivals Carshalton Athletic. 
 
After a midweek hiatus for Casuals, they returned to action on a gusty afternoon against a Carshalton side who came into the game with confidence, having been unbeaten in their last two. 
 
Casuals boss Justin Fevrier made three changes to the team that were beaten at Margate the previous week, giving debuts to buccaneering left-sided wing-back, Lesley Duru, and on-loan centre-forward Obed Yeboah, while assistant manager Richard Orlu stepped in at centre-half in the absence of the suspended Simba Kudyiwa. 
 
The order of the day was set from the early stages of the game, with Carshalton knocking on the door and probing Casuals’ back line, which initially stood firm. That was until an in-swinging corner from Carshalton’s captain Tom Beere found Oliver Cooke, whose shot was bundled off the line by Joe Halsey before falling to Karl Arinwande, who scrambled the ball over the line.  
 
It was a tough start for Casuals, and Carshalton did not let off after grabbing their first, continuing to apply pressure. 
 
Casuals’ best chance of the half fell to Finlay Lovatt who met the deflected cross of Halsey from the right, but under pressure from his man he could only fire over from close range. It was a sign of promise for the home side, but this hope would soon be extinguished when Carshalton carried on testing Casuals’ defence.  
 
Calvin Ekpiteta found himself one-on-one with Casuals centre-half, Jola Lahan, before shifting the ball onto his left side and forcing Callum Coulter into a smart save down to his right, tipping the ball out for a corner. Though this would lead to more trouble for Casuals who found themselves 2-0 down after another corner from Beere found the head of Crossley Lema, who fired home from close range. It wasn’t looking like the home side’s day. 
 
Carshalton continued to keep piling on the pressure as an unfortunate break of the ball found its way to the feet of Lema, who took on his man, trying to add to his first. His shot across goal slammed the frame and was cleared by Casuals. 
 
In an attempt to inject some intensity, Fevrier called on the services of promising winger, Jared Myers, replacing Malakai Hyman just before the break, as Casuals went in at half-time two goals down on the score line. 
 
The early exchanges of the second half proved to be a scrappy affair, though it was not for the want of trying on Casuals’ part. Sahid Kamara’s snap shot drifted just wide of Danny Bracken’s top corner, as the goalkeeper was serenaded by the Casuals faithful on his return to King George’s Field. The 500-appearance-making shot stopper is a true legend in these parts and will always be remembered fondly for his contributions to the club. 
 
Bracken would soon deny Casuals a way back into the game after some neat build-up play between debutant Duru and Morgan Williams led to a chance for Kamara, but his shot lacked power and fell into the grateful grasp of the ex-Casuals goalkeeper. 
 
Casuals’ afternoon got worse soon after, when Coulter’s clearance fell to an alert Arinwande, and the Carshalton forward looked to be through on goal when Myers’ challenge brought him down, giving the referee no option but to dismiss him — a shame for Myers who’s appearance lasted a mere 23 minutes.  
 
Casuals’ fate was determined now, and they would succumb to further damage when Calvin Ekpiteta’s shot from outside the area found its way in off the post, via the outstretched glove of Coulter — when your luck’s out, it’s out. It was an uncharacteristic error from Coulter who has been key to Casuals’ recent promising performances. 
 
Fevrier’s men kept going despite the situation they found themselves in. Williams and Duru put together some smart build-up play before scrambling the ball to Yeboah who, like Kamara earlier, could not get any power behind his shot, which found its way into the hands of Bracken. This was before Carshalton’s No9, McKenzie Atumuto, found himself on the end of a knocked-on ball and faced up Coulter one-on-one before calmly slotting the ball past the Casuals’ keeper, who could not do much to prevent the inevitable. Carshalton had their fourth to put a rubber stamp on a disappointing afternoon for the home side. 
 
Casuals would, though, grab a consolatory goal in the 89th minute as Williams picked up the ball from miles out and fired a smashing effort into the top-left corner. Bracken could only get a hand to it to push it further into the top of his net, giving Casuals’ fans something to take from the game.  
 
With a clear midweek ahead for Casuals, the team has a chance to recoup and prepare for Saturday’s test at home to Enfield Town. Fevrier and his players will be eager to bounce back from a disappointing result. 
 
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Lahan, Orlu, Hyman (Myers 41); Halsey (Chislett 73), Williams, McAuley, Duru; Kamara Lovatt (Pinney 74); Yeboah  

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Folkestone Invicta 3-2 Corinthian-Casuals 
Gayle 38                        Lovatt 90 
Olutade 70, 89             Pinney 90 
 
 
Pitching In Isthmian Premier League 
Saturday 18th February 2022 
Attendance: 778 
Match Report by Finlay Stubbs 
 
 
A late fightback from Corinthian-Casuals wasn’t enough to take anything away from the south coast as they fell to a 3-2 defeat to Folkestone Invicta in a frantic encounter. 
 
After the dramatic late equaliser against promotion chasing Hornchurch on Tuesday, Casuals came into the game with the belief that they can compete with the strongest teams in the league. Justin Fevrier made two changes to the starting XI with a return for Hakeem Adelakun and Malakai Hyman coming in for Zack Chislett and the injured Ricardo Thompson. 
 
The first half was a closely fought affair with both teams not allowing space in the midfield, forcing the game to mostly be played out wide, where Jared Myers looked lively for Casuals, seeing an early effort deflected over for a corner.  
 
Folkestone started to grow into the game with a flurry of corners and had the ball in the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside, before Callum Coulter was forced to make a save to deny Ian Gayle at the back post from a free kick. Shortly afterwards, Casuals were caught on the ball and Ira Jackson drove forward and saw his effort clip the outside of the near post.  
 
At the other end, Sahid Kamara got in behind the Invicta backline after an intricate through ball from Mack Reilly, but a last ditch challenge from Gayle prevented him from getting a shot away. 
 
At the other end, Casuals defender Jola Lahan was forced to concede a corner to prevent Ian Draycott getting in for Folkestone, looping a header over his own crossbar. However, the hosts took advantage of the set-piece, playing short to Scott Heard, whose cross wasn’t cleared by Casuals allowing Gayle to pounce and fire his side ahead.  
 
At the start of the second half, Casuals began proceedings on the front foot with Morgan Williams testing Patrick Ohman with a strike from the edge of the area after some tricky footwork from Kamara.  
 
Reilly then felt he should have won his side a penalty after he was brought down in the area but the referee waved play on to Casuals’ disappointment. 
 
The game then became an end-to-end affair, with Casuals trying to break down the Folkestone defensive shape, while the hosts were looking to strike on the counter-attack. This plan worked for the hosts as they doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Ibrahim Olutade latched onto a direct ball from Ohman, looping his effort over the onrushing Coulter. 
 
Despite the goal, Casuals continued to attack and try to find their way back into the game with Reilly heading an effort straight at Ohman. Finlay Lovatt then worked his way through the Folkestone backline with his attacking endeavour and trickery, before his effort was pushed wide by the goalkeeper. 
 
Unfortunately for Casuals, Folkestone grabbed a third with a minute of normal time remaining when Jackson picked up a short corner, dribbled past his marker and squared to Olutade, who couldn't miss from close range to claim his second and seal the victory for his side. 
 
Undeterred, Casuals kept probing in added time and got a consolation through Lovatt, who drove into the box and slotted his effort home to give the travelling supporters something to cheer about.  
 
They weren’t done there either, grabbing a second through substitute Nathaniel Pinney, who curled an effort with the outside of his boot into the top corner after hard work from youngster Will McDonald. 
 
But it was a difficult afternoon for Casuals as they lost out in an even contest that featured chances for both teams. In the end, it was a matter of producing quality and impetus in both boxes, where the hosts claimed the victory. Nonetheless, Casuals can go into the next Saturday’s game at home to Canvey Island confident in their ability to find the net after a promising end to the game. 
 
Corinthian Casuals: Coulter; Hyman (Dowridge 45), Kudyiwa, Lahan, Halsey; (Pinney 59), Williams, Adelakun; Myers, Kamara, Lovatt; Reilly (McDonald 77) 

  
Corinthian-Casuals 2-2 Hornchurch  
Williams 36                                Hayles 72  
Lovatt 90+                                   Brown 84  
  
Pitching in Isthmian Premier League   
Tuesday 14 February 2023  
Attendance 160  
Match Report by James Streatfield 
Image by Scott White 
  
Finlay Lovatt rescued a point in remarkable fashion for Corinthian-Casuals in the dying breaths after an all-action encounter with third-placed Hornchurch.  
  
Four days on from disappointment at home to Hastings United, Casuals boss Justin Fevrier made four changes from the team that started on Saturday.  
  
The opening stages proved to be a cagey affair, with neither side posing a concrete threat to the other. Jared Myers gave Casuals their first opportunity, taking the ball on his chest and running down the line, only to play a ball across the box that couldn’t be met by any of his teammates. A warning sign for the opposition.  
  
The visitors then began to pile on the pressure, showing their threat. A looping free kick found the head of Rickie Hayles, who's equally looping header was making its way towards the top right corner before the left fingertips of Callum Coulter tipped it over the bar. Coulter was once again called into action when Liam Nash steamed through one-on-one with the Casuals keeper, who matched the attacker’s shot with a sterling save down to his left.  
  
Hornchurch’s number 8 and captain, Lewwis Spence, had been dictating the play through this period, starting attacks and moving the ball from side to side effectively. This was until the 26th minute when he was forced off through injury and the tide turned. Casuals gained a hold of the game and dominated the midfield battle. This dominance showed when Mack Reilly​’s slide-rule pass was met by the ever-willing run of Morgan Williams (pictured top), who slotted it through the legs of Joe Wright to make it 1-0 to Casuals. Handed his full debut by Fevrier, Williams – on loan from AFC Wimbledon – put in a stellar performance, pulling the strings and breaking up play, making it difficult for Hornchurch to progress, particularly in the first half. This was until the 26th minute when he was forced off through injury and the tide turned. Casuals gained a hold of the game and dominated the midfield battle.   
  
Casuals came out after half-time with the same vigour and determination that they finished the previous half. Williams continued to probe, while Myers tried and tested his man, having now switched sides to play on the left.  
  
Mark Stimson ordered his Hornchurch players to “level up”, and unfortunately for Casuals, that’s exactly what they did, as a Remi Sutton throw-in fell to Sam Higgins who swivelled and fired a fierce shot from close range. Once again, however, Coulter came out on top, saving low with his feet.   
  
The warning signs became graver as the game progressed into the latter stages, and Hornchurch eventually levelled when Rickie Hayles met a corner at the near post and found the net from close range. There was nothing Coulter in the Casuals net could do about this one.   
  
The situation worsened 10 minutes later when a loose header from Lahan fell into the path of Hornchurch’s Ellis Brown, who calmly slotted the ball away into the bottom-left corner. With five minutes of normal time left to play, Casuals looked all out of luck.   
  
Fevrier looked to his bench, calling upon the services of Nathaniel Pinney, who came into the game to make his 100th Casuals appearance. Our congratulations are extended to him on this achievement and we thank him for his services to the club.   
  
He had still had a part to play in the action too. The visitors seemed to be walking away with the victory as the game entered stoppage time, keeping the ball penned deep into Casuals’ half. Though it’s not over until it’s over, and Pinney picked up the ball on the edge of the box and played a sharp ball out to Finlay Lovatt, who’s cross-come-shot miraculously looped inside the far post and into the back of the Hornchurch net in the last moments of the game to level it up. The players celebrated with the supporters behind the goal before the final whistle blew on a dramatic game.  
  
Casuals can take positives from their performance – a real show of determination. Taking the game to a team at the top end of the table and coming away with a point will instil confidence in the side for the near future.   
  
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Chislett (Stokoe 83), Kudyiwa, Lahan, Halsey (Pinney 90); Thompson (c) (Hyman 58), Williams; Myers, Kamara, Lovatt; Reilly  
 

Corinthian-Casuals 0-2 Hastings United
                                        Pope 28 (pen)
                                          Scott 43


Pitching In Isthmian Premier League
Saturday 11 February 2023
Attendance 286
Match Report by Finlay Stubbs
Image by Chris Randall

Corinthian-Casuals were left disappointed after two first-half goals were enough for Hastings to take the three points back to the south coast, in a game where both teams created opportunities.

After the last-gasp defeat to Horsham on Tuesday, Casuals boss Justin Fevrier gave debuts to Jola Lahan, Shaun McAuley and winger Sahid Kamara in an attempt to get back to winning ways.

The opening stages were closely fought, with both teams looking to impose their patterns of play with Mack Reilly and Kamara looking to get on the ball and test the Hastings full-backs. Casuals almost got the breakthrough when Finlay Lovatt showed resilience driving into the box, evading challenges from the Hastings defence, however his cross was just behind Kamara.

The visitors then started to create chances of their own, showing their physical presence as Ollie Black saw his header tipped over by Callum Coulter. Then Hastings were given an opportunity to take the lead after Simba Kudyiwa was adjudged to have wrestled David Smith to the ground in the Casuals area, causing the referee to point to the spot. Ben Pope stepped up and fired his effort under Coulter to put his side ahead.

Hastings gained confidence from the goal, continuing to push forward, and they almost got their second after a dangerous Black long throw caused havoc in the Casuals area. The ball eventually made its way to Freddie Legg who fired his effort just wide. The visitors were rewarded for their persistent pressure, though, and got their second before half-time after a driving run from Pope, who saw his effort from range parried into the path of Knory Scott, and he tapped his effort in to give Hastings a two goal lead at the break.

Coulter was called into action early in the second half, denying a Craig Stone header from point-blank range following a free kick from the left to deny the visitors from grabbing their third.

Casuals then got on the front foot, looking to find a way back into the game. A close-range strike from Reilly was well kept out by Louis Rogers in the Hastings goal to deny any early comeback. The hosts kept pushing forward in wide areas as a cross from Malakai Hyman found Kamara who put his header just wide from close range, and the second half onslaught from Casuals continued after Rogers pulled off a miraculous save to keep out Reilly from close range following excellent link-up play between substitute Morgan Williams – another debutant – and Lovatt.

In the closing stages, Hastings recovered their composure and had an excellent chance to snatch their third after a long-range effort from Kane Penn was well saved by Coulter in the top corner to keep the deficit at two before the full-time whistle was blown.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Casuals who at times opened up a disciplined Hastings defence in the second half, only for Rogers to deny any fightback. He earned his clean sheet with multiple reaction saves, but despite the defeat, Casuals can take confidence from the second-half display and signs that they are able to break down an organised defence.
​
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Hyman (Myers 66), Kudyiwa, Lahan, Nicholas (Dowridge 84); Lovatt, McAuley, Thompson, Kamara; Reilly; Pinney (Williams 58)