Hastings United 3-0 Corinthian-Casuals
Pope 10
McKenzie 13
Scott 72
Pitching In Isthmian Premier League
Saturday 26 November, 2022
Match Report by Finlay Stubbs
Photo by Stuart Tree
Justin Fevrier put his new-look side’s performance down to experience after a tough defeat against a well-drilled Hastings United but reiterated that there is enough quality in his squad to get out of this difficult period. Casuals travelled south-east to Hastings after suffering a heart-breaking late equaliser at Wingate & Finchley in midweek. Looking to build on that performance, Fevrier made six changes to his squad against an organised Hastings United side, who narrowly lost 2-1 to National League South side Chippenham Town in the FA Trophy last time out.
The two teams walked out to a large crowd of 652 people in attendance at the very scenic Pilot Field which was lit up in the late November skies, on what turned out to be a tough afternoon for the visitors. Both teams started the game trying to work each other’s game plans out. Casuals were without a fully fit recognised striker, forcing Fevrier to use a false nine system, and began the game looking to get on the front foot with their wing-backs high.
Hastings, meanwhile, were patient on the ball and looking to create overloads out wide. This plan seemed to work for the hosts and in the ninth minute of the game, a cross from the right made its way to Ben Pope, who fired home past Taylor Seymour for Hastings’ first of the afternoon. It soon got better for the home side when a free kick from the right-hand side was aimed towards the back post, headed across goal by Finn Omara and tapped in at the back post by Chinedu McKenzie. Casuals had been blown away inside the first 14 minutes, and Hastings had the game under control.
As the half went on, however, Casuals started to grow into the game and looked to use their wing-backs more in attacking areas. In the 31st minute, after a sequence of intricate passing, a low fired cross was driven across the 18-yard box and was hit just wide by the oncoming Zac Chislett. Near the end of the first half, Seymour was called into action to deny the impressive McKenzie his second of the afternoon after a cut back from the right. Then, in the 43rd minute, Tom Chalmers drove impressively through the Casuals midfield before his effort was denied emphatically by Seymour, in what proved to be the last chance of the half.
At the start of the second half, Fevrier made two changes in an attempt to get his side back into the game, as Kraig McLeod was replaced by Thomas Jackson, and Mohammed Cisse came on for the debutant Dave Vetterlein.
Both teams took time to find their rhythm immediately after the break, with Casuals trying to find a way into the game. However, the match opened up for Hastings when a through ball found Pope, who was taken down by Hakeem Adelakun in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Penalty for the hosts. Pope stepped up to grab his second, but his effort was well saved by Seymour who got down to his left to keep the scoreline at 2-0.
Striker Nathaniel Pinney was brought on for the youngster Gucci Osekanongo, who was booked earlier on in the match, and Fevrier’s men looked to keep possession at this point, either by playing into Pinney’s feet or by using the width of the pitch. In trying to attack Hastings, however, spaces started to open up in the wide areas, leading to Knory Scott getting on the end of a well-executed through ball, before cutting inside and finishing emphatically into the top-left corner to seal the win for the home team.
Seymour was called upon again and again in the closing stages, making an excellent save from a Pope effort and a miraculous double save late on to keep the scoreline down.
Overall, it was a very tough day at the office for Casuals, who at times kept the ball well and created a few openings but didn’t do too much to trouble Louis Rogers in the Hastings goal. However, that should take nothing away from the home side who were calm and composed in possession and attacked with real pace and quality.
Next up for Casuals is an away trip to local rivals Kingstonian in the Surrey Senior Cup, followed by an important league game at home to Brightlingsea Regent next Saturday.
Corinthian-Casuals (3-4-2-1): Seymour; Kudiywa, Collins, McLeod (Jackson h/t); Chislett, Osekanongo (Pinney 65), Adelakun, Vetterlein (Cisse h/t); Thompson, Stokoe; Dowridge
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