Chipstead 0-2 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 28th March 2015
Report and pics: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals convincingly defeated out-of-form Chipstead in the Ryman League Division One South on Saturday but had to wait until the 86th minute to claim all three points.

Casuals, who were visiting Chip’s rural High Road home were playing their fourth match in seven days. Chipstead came into the match looking for their first point in six matches.

Boss Matt Howard made a couple of changes from the side that lost at Hendon two days before; both Lee Hall and Dave Hodges returned with Jason Turley and Reece Placid making way.

Corinth’s attacking intentions were clear from the offset. Dave Hodges reminded everone how much he was missed at Hendon by making penetrating runs on the wing. A sharp shot from the winger was well parried by Milan in goal but the resulting loose ball couldn’t be converted by either Max Austin or Jamie Byatt.

Chipstead remained resolute in their defence as further attacks from Byatt and Maz Bettache were blocked when goalbound. Byatt actually had a few chances to put the Casuals ahead but as the game progressed, it became apparent it could easily be ‘one of those afternoons’.  Jake Gill, playing in a more attacking role also pushed forward and his surging run was well stopped by the Chip’s keeper.

The second half commenced much the same as the first ended though Chipstead looked like they would be the first to open the scoring. Andrew Dalhouse broke through Corinth’s back line and brushed off a last ditch Joe Hicks challenge, he rounded Bracken in goal only to find Jake Downs back on the line to clear.

This clearly woke the visitors and the realisation that time was ticking on and they had nothing to show for their dominant possession. Matt Howard introduced Andy Mills to the attack and his presence soon caused the Chip’s defence problems. Jake Downs’ fine ball found Mills but his effort was well matched by Milan.

By now, it was all one way traffic; Bettache’s vicious shot narrowly passed the post and Mills’ header can only go wide from a good position. Time was nearly up and Corinth had nothing to show for their continued wasteful efforts.

However, in the 86th minute, sighs of relief could be heard around the ground when Andy Mills netted his first goal for the club. Dave Hodges, who’d been lively all afternoon found Mills in the box and he calmly tucked the ball away in the far corner.

Naturally, Chipstead pushed forward to look for an equaliser and worried a few Corinth supporters by coming close on occasion but the three points were sealed in time added on. Byatt was fouled in a dangerous position, but instead of playing the ball into the corner, Bettache and Byatt cleverly linked in a move straight off the training ground. Bettache’s slick pass played in Byatt for his cross to find an unmarked Juevan Spencer who, in the words of the Corinth fans “had enough time to roll a fag” before slotting home.

Though it took 86 minutes to register any score, it was a performance that Howard and all Casuals’ supporters could be happy with.

After the match, Kevin Barker from the management team spoke of the win,

“We finished stronger for sure. Matt made a couple of good substitutions which really helped.

“As soon as we got one goal, it was evident we were going to get two. Andy Mills took his goal really well… top draw.

“The second goal was excellent from the free kick. Well worked.

“We’re now looking at a top eight finish if possible. We’ve got some hard games coming up, like Tuesday night against Three Bridges but if we can get results against teams like then who knows. We’re playing some good football at the moment and it’s all in our own hands.”

Pics from the match can be seen here.

Hendon 5-1 Corinthian-Casuals
London Senior Cup Quarter Final
Thursday 26th March 2015
Silver Jubilee Park
Match report and pics: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals crashed out of the London Senior Cup at the Quarter Final stage to a rampant Hendon who showed their Ryman Premier class and why they’re pushing for promotion this season.

Ironically, Hendon were the lowest ranked opposition that Casuals had played in the competition this season, but the wins over Bromley and AFC Wimbledon were against squads littered with academy players. Hendon offered no such relief and fielded a line up packed with first teamers.

The evening was also an historic one; this was Hendon’s first competitive match on what will be their own home ground in the near future… Silver Jubilee Park. The occasion was graced with a bumper crowd and Hendon’s young stars of the future acted as mascots for both teams on the night.

With one division and thirty-five places separating the teams, Boss Matt Howard would need to call on a full strength side but the recent gruelling schedule meant he was missing the defensively capable Danny Green, the midfield strength of Lee Hall and the attacking prowess of Dave Hodges. A reshuffled line up consisting of a first start of the season for ex-captain Jason Turley was the next best thing.

Honours were even for the first half hour; Hendon had half chances with Max McCann heading over from a penetrating cross and at the other end, Maz Bettache and Max Austin had chances to put Corinth infront. The artificial surface allowed both teams to get the ball down and play some attractive football.

On the half hour mark, the deceptively pacey Aaron Morgan beat Jake Gill down the left  before cutting inside and drilling low past Danny Bracken. If the dubious goals panel were in attendance (I doubt they were), the goal was given as an OG to Maz Bettache, but looked like a perfectly good strike by the Hendon forward and deserved the credit.

Reece Placid had a great chance to immediately make it level; using his pace, his drive into the box and resulting shot was well kept out by Ben McManara in goal. Maz Bettache also smashed the crossbar direct from a corner.

But soon it was two-nil; From a dangerous position, a free kick was perfectly glided to the far side and Aaron Morgan was able to tuck the ball away past Bracken. If two-nil was tough to come back from, three-nil was an almost impossibility. James Fisher linked up with Morgan and his precise pass split the Casuals’ back four and found Leon Smith who left Bracken fighting with thin air and tucking into an unguarded net.

After the break, Corinth kept their shape better and looked to cause problems on the counter-attack. They got their reward. From defending a corner, Juevan Spencer broke up the pitch and interlinked with Jamie Byatt who found the net from close range. Casuals now looked more dangerous with this change in tactics and were unfortunate not to get back to 3-2. Jake Gill’s thumping effort crashed down off the bar and somehow not over the line. It would’ve been the perfect way to open his Corinth account.

However, Hendon once again turned on the taps and made it four and five in quick succession. Kezie Ibe finishing off a wonderful move which left Bracken, who’d again been excellent all night, stranded. A penalty was converted by Aaron Morgan in the dying minutes and he duly placed it past to give Hendon the deserved win.

Thank you to our hosts who were incredibly warm and welcoming, from their officials, players and supporters. The match was played in the best spirit and we were humbled at how ‘privileged’ they felt that their opening competitive fixture was against our historic club. We wish them all the very best in the cup and league.

After the match, Matt Howard commented, “I don’t think it was a 5-1 game but fair play to them, going forward they were very good.

“We’ve had a couple of half decent half chances and on another day, we could’ve gone in at half time one-all.

“The game was over at half time really. We looked to try and get something out of the match and when we got it back to 3-1 and Jake Gill hit the bar, we could’ve been right back in it.

“But Hendon were the better side and deserved to win but 5-1 seems a little harsh.

“Quarter final of a cup, you want to do well, especially when you get to this stage. But realistically, we could’ve done without it as we’ve still got eight games left in the league. We’re five points off hitting the all time club record for the league points, which obviously we want to beat.” 

Photos from the match can be seen here.

'The Luxury Fan's' blog post about the occasion can also be read here.

Corinthian-Casuals 0-1 Herne Bay
Ryman League Divison One South
Saturday 21st March 2015
Match report and pics: Stuart Tree

10-man Corinthian-Casuals succumbed to a strong Herne Bay side in the Ryman League Division One South and Boss Matt Howard was disappointed with the sending off on an afternoon which was heralded as the Surrey FA’s ‘Respect Day’.

In front of a decent crowd of 278, just minutes into the second half, Ross Defoe saw red for a second bookable offence and left Casuals having to re-organise following Sam Hasler’s late first half strike.

Howard said after the match, “Roscoe has let us down with the sending off. We spoke to him at half time knowing he was already on a booking. So for him to be sent of a couple of minutes into the second half was daft.”

Casuals were under no illusions that the match would be tough to get anything from; Herne Bay were looking to keep up pressure on Whyteleafe for the last playoff spot. To make matters worse, striker Jamie Byatt’s involvement was limited to a half time penalty shootout with the match mascots after serving a two match suspension. To add to Howard’s woes, creative midfielder Maz Bettache was also sidelined after attending hospital with a concussion following the 4-1 win against Carshalton. A second start was given to the lively Max Austin and Jake Gill returned to the line-up along with Jake Downs.

In a drab first half, where Casuals had set up to keep Herne at bay, the windy conditions saw Jack Delo’s goalkicks fly through to his opposite number Danny Bracken, whilst the Casuals’ stopper was forced to lay off the ball short. Max Austin had the best chance when his effort was turned onto the bar by Delo.

The majority of the possession was with the visitors but were unable to break down a resolute Casuals defence. Danny Walder came closest after firing a shot straight at Bracken.

But on 43 minutes, from a fairly deep wide position, Sam Hasler blasted a vicious wind-assisted shot right into the top corner leaving Bracken helpless. It was a strike of real quality and left Corinth deflated walking into the changing rooms.

Just six minutes into the second half and Ross Defoe picked up his second yellow of the afternoon. Whilst it was no question of being a foul, a yellow card appeared harsh and Defoe had no choice but to walk.

Yet it was Corinth who looked like they had the extra man for large parts of the half. Chances fell to Max Austin and Carl Wilson-Denis, both of which couldn’t find the target. Danny Dudley had a fine chance to equalise from a whipped corner and Jake Downs even got in on the action. With Casuals pushing forward, space opened up for the visitors but couldn’t quite capitalise. Bracken putting in a fine performance to prevent Steven Ita and Hasler from putting the game to bed.

In the final few minutes, Wilson-Denis somehow headed over from a golden opportunity and Bracken even pushed forward in scenes reminiscent of cup clashes when caution is thrown to the wind and it’s win or bust.

However, no more goals were added and Herne Bay made the trip home three points better off.

After the match, Matt Howard spoke,

"The conditions were atrocious today. We thought we were going to get in at half time nil-nil, which we’d have been over the moon.

"Saying that, I wasn’t overly worried about coming in at half time 1-0 down. Luke (Garrard) and I spoke after the first few minutes and said if we’re losing by one goal at half time, we’ll have that.

"But to concede it in the last minute of the half was a kick in the teeth. We addressed the problems and how we can change things in the second half. We had a go but never really looked like scoring.

"I think we’ve scored 60 goals this season and Jamie Byatt has got 26 of those. That’s 34 goals from everybody else in the squad and that’s not enough.

"Roscoe (Defoe) has let us down with the sending off. We spoke to him at half time knowing he was already on a booking. So for him to be sent of a couple of minutes into the second half was daft.

"It does show where we’ve come as a club that teams are over the moon to be hanging on against us."

Photos from the day can be seen here.

Corinthian-Casuals 4-1 Carshalton Athletic
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 17th March 2015
Match report: Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree
Attendance: 151



Corinthian Casuals took another step to banishing the midweek nightmare against Hythe as they thumped Carshalton Athletic 4-1 at King Georges Avenue

There were returns for Danny Green and Reece Placid whilst Max Austin started his first game after many impressive substitute appearances.

It was Placid who was first to try his luck in the third minute but from a tight angle fired well over into the clear night sky.

It was obvious from the start the home side were very much determined to ensure the previous week was a one off and it came as no surprise when they took a 6th minute lead.

After a scrap down the left Juevan Spencer took matters into his own hands and broke to the by-line. His low centre found Jamie Byatt who after steadying himself with his first touch smashed home into the roof of the net with his second.

It was all Casuals in the opening period who were first to everything and in the 18th minute they grabbed the inevitable second and what a fine goal it was.

Following a good move Placid laid the ball into the path of Maz Bettache and his right-hand side curling cross was met by the head of the diving Byatt leaving keeper Jack Eden no chance from 6 yards out. It was a joyous goals and the striker rightly milked the accolades from his teammates and fans alike behind the goal.

Shortly afterwards it was nearly the hat trick when he got inside his two markers but the attempted lob on the run lacked the height to defy Eden.

To their credit the Robins started to come into the game more and compete and they were rewarded in the 33rd minute.

Skipper Moraes sent in a cross which Bracken elected to come and collect. In a rare error of judgement the keeper missed the ball with Jordan Higgs knocking the ball back from the by-line for Austin Gacheru to knock into the empty net.

Casual’s response was nearly immediate as Max Austin skied an effort over from 6 yards after more good work by Spencer.

The two-goal lead was restored 7 minutes before the break and predictably it sealed Byatt’s hat trick.

Juevan Spencer again the architect as down the left he beat two men from just inside the half and threaded a ball into the path of Byatt. Moraes failed to cut out pass and the Casuals number 9 was on had to steady himself and steer the ball into the far corner.

The last chance of the half fell to Ricardo Panton for the Robins but after the ball found its way back to him inside the area following a run he smashed the resulting effort well over the upright.

Weary that a slow start to the second period had ultimately cost them two points the previous Saturday the home side looked to continue the tempo and pressing that had forced their opponents onto the backfoot for much of the first.

Despite this it was the visitors who made the early running with Gacheru and Tommy Bradford linking well. The latter firing an effort straight at Bracken.

Bracken continued to made amends for his part in the goal when he at full stretch diverted Panton’s low cross away from the arriving Gacheru who it seemed was destined for a tap in.

After weathering the brief upsurge from the visitors Casuals settled back into their groove and on the hour a wonderful team move involving Hall Byatt and Spencer ended with Maz Bettache volleying just wide.

After the hard work of the first half it came as no surprise Casuals were happy to sit deep more and apart from a couple of efforts from Higgs and Sean O’Toole they were rarely threatened.

Indeed it was the home side looking more likely to add to their tally on the break and with 14 minutes remaining Byatt went close to his and Casuals 4th as he poked an effort just over Eden’s cross bar following Bettache's pass.

A 4th duly arrived in the 83rd minute and summed up the hard work of the home side during the course of the evening. A long ball through the centre of the visitors defence saw Eden come to the edge. Substitute Steve Barilli chased down what seemed a lost cause and won the ball from Eden before rolling into an unguarded net for his first of the season.

There was still time for Bracken to deny Gacheru one final time from 5 yards as the strikers side’s dismal run on their travels continued.

Matt Howard praised the workrate of the whole side and lamented on how Casuals will cope without the 26 goal-strong Byatt in the next two games. Byatt is suspended through accumulating too many cautions throughout the season.

“I’m really pleased. We changed our shape today and thought let’s really go for it and it’s paid off after five minutes when we went 1-0 up.

“The work rate was fantastic. We’ve put Carshalton under pressure and they’ve panicked a little. 

“Credit to Max Austin – it was his first start tonight and he worked his socks off. For us, we could’ve changed our shape and have it backfire on us by losing the game. But it’s worked in our favour.

“If you work hard, you get your rewards at this level, and that’s what we’ve done today.

“That was a fantastic hattrick from Jamie Byatt. He could’ve had four. Jamie scores goals because Jamie’s the only one in our team that actually shoots. If we can get the others to take chances and get shots away, then they might chip in with a few more goals here and there. 

“Steve Barilli won’t score an easier goal than that, but again, it comes down to workrate. He’s put the goalkeeper under pressure, closed him down and won the ball. He worked hard and got his reward.

“Saturday and Tuesday, Jamie is suspended and we’ll miss him. But we’ll throw the others in and see if they can step up to the plate. We missed Carl Wilson-Denis tonight so I said to Max (Austin) ‘go on, you’ve got your start. Go and earn your place’ and he’s done really well.

“We also lost Dave Hodges late on today, so we threw in Reece Placid to see what he could do. 

“We’ve got a good squad and we have to use it. There’s games coming up thick and fast so everyone will get their chance.” 

Tooting & Mitcham United 1-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 14th March 2015
Match report: Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree
Attendance: 195

Casuals earned another point in their bid to climb the table and in doing so went some way to showing Tuesdays mauling at home to Hythe was nothing but a blip as they drew 1-1 at the KNK stadium home of Tooting & Mitcham United.

Making two changes to Tuesdays line up Ross Defoe returned, as did striker Carl-Wilson Denis.

The home side started well knocking the ball around with confidence but it was Casuals after 2 minutes who worked the games first opening as Juevan Spencer found Carl Wilson-Denis inside the area but his touch let him down when well positioned. 

Despite keeping the ball well the home side weren’t really threatening a Casuals backline that had conceded 6 in the midweek against Hythe. Indeed it was the visitors who went mighty close in the 14th minute when after forcing their hosts back Wilson-Denis’s flick found Jamie Byatt but the striker thumped his effort against the post. In any case the assistants flag had been raised.

The home sides first effort came in the 19th minute when a long punt downfield from keeper Alex Kozakis found the Casuals backline out of position and Dan Summers stole in to head towards goal from the edge of the area. Thankfully for Casuals Bracken was able to divert the ball away despite being seemingly stranded.

Danny Dudley was inches from opening the scoring in the 22nd minute as he headed Byatt’s corner wide with Kozakis failing to collect the initial delivery

After 27 minutes the visitors took a deserved lead;  a patient buildup on the edge of the area Byatt and Lee Hall exchanged passes. The former clipping in a weighted ball to Carl Wilson-Denis inside the area. The former Tooting striker controlled and turned expertly with his chest for before firing home past Kozakis to open the scoring. (Pictured Below)

7 minutes later the home side came close to levelling as Danny Dudley’s attempted clearance looped up in the air allowing Saidu Khan the opportunity to shoot at Bracken. Thankfully for Casuals his stinging drive was parried away by the stopper and away from danger.

In truth the first half was a very disappointing display from the hosts who by all reports were superb the previous week in their win at Whitstable. The home fans let their frustrations know at half time with the final ball and decision-making lacking all too frequently during the opening period.

Tooting emerged for the second half a changed side and Nathan Gordon was first to test the Casuals defence when after beating Jake Downs his low cross was stabbed away from danger.

The improved start was to pay dividends for the hosts however as they levelled 5 minutes into the second half.
After failing to clear a routine ball into the box the visiting rear guard were made to pay the price as Sol Pinnock picked up the clearance and weaved into the box. Despite Bracken blocking his effort with an outstretched leg Khan’s follow up rebounded into the path of Howard Newton who tucked his effort away inside Brackens near post.

With their tails now up the home side were looking to turn the match around completely and Billy Marshall fired an effort from distance, which Bracken tipped over the bar. 

Dan Summer was the next to try his luck but with an hour gone he fired wildly off target following a well-worked short corner from the home side.

The home sides dominance prompted Matt Howard into making a couple of changes bringing on Max Austin and Reece Placid and the switch in approach seemed to have the desired effect as Casuals once again began looking a threat in the attacking third of the pitch.

It was Austin who nearly gave Casuals the lead back on 69th minute as following Byatt’s knock down his spectacular scissor kick was straight at Kozakis.

Both sides it seemed were happy to settle for a point with neither keeper tested in the final stages. The introduction of debutant Gerald Akosa for the hosts gave them brief hope and his direct play nearly saw a left footed effort go in. The drive just inches over Brackens upright. 

Another substitute Max Noble saw a low cross in injury time diverted away by Bracken and match official Jason Richardson shortly blew an end to the proceedings.

Speaking after the match keeper Danny Bracken spoke of the contest against his former side

“After Tuesday, we’d have taken a point coming into the game today. We didn’t quite find that end product but we defended much better. After a 6-1 defeat, to only let in one goal is much better.

“As a goalkeeper, it’s always disappointing to concede a goal. You don’t ever want to let in any, especially at against an old club of mine like Tooting. I played here a few years ago and really enjoyed my time at the club. It’s a shame we let one in.

“The first half, the way we defended was great and we really restricted them attacking-wise, but it was a shame we couldn’t continue that in the second half. However, it’s still a decent point.

“My personal target for the rest of the season is to keep more clean sheets and as a team, to get more wins. We want to try and get a club record for points in this league. We’ve been pushing up gradually every year. We’ve got a great set of lads here and if we can stay together, push on to the end of the season, let’s wee where we end up.

“Realistically, a top ten position for a club like ours is a great achievement and it’s definitely there for the taking.” 

Stuart Trees pictures can be viewed here

Corinthian-Casuals 1-6 Hythe Town
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 10th March 2015
Report by Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals were handed six of the best against a rampant Hythe Town in the Ryman League, condemning Casuals to their first league defeat since returning from Brazil in January.

And Manager of the Month, Matt Howard blasted his players after ‘bottling it’.

“When we lose, we lose good and proper… massively disappointing. I think a few of our players absolutely bottled it tonight.”

Casuals started with an almost unchanged side from that which performed so well against high-flyers Folkestone just three days before. Steve Goddard came in for Carl Wilson-Denis in what was a routine straight swap.

It looked like Corinth’s good form would continue; in only the fifth minute, Jamie Byatt capitalised on an error by the Hythe goalkeeper to nod home into an empty net.

However, it was to only go one way after that. Ten minutes later and Casuals conceded three corners in a row. It was third time lucky as Luke Harvey headed home from close range from the set piece.

Corinth looked promising going forward and Dave Hodges caused terror in the wings. But the hard work was undone by more comical defending. With four or five chances to clear their lines, Casuals found a way for Sam Conlon to score and give the visitors a deserved lead.

Soon, it was 3-1; Hythe broke on the left wing and a half clearance only fell to Shaun Welford who neatly blasted home from 15 yards. Home heads dropped as it looked to be ‘one of those nights’.

Casuals came out all guns blazing in the second half, even without the substituted Jamie Byatt. A good spell of pressure didn’t quite pay off. Max Austin stung Roddy Hayward’s hand as he expertly diverted a rasper over the bar. Steve Goddard looked like he should’ve scored in a goalmouth scramble that eventually fell to Juevan Spencer but blasted high into the night sky. The next goal was crucial; at 2-3, it could’ve set up for an exciting end. However, it went the other way.

Shaun Welford grabbed his second of the night from another poorly defended corner. In truth, any number of Hythe players lining up at the back post looked like they could’ve scored.

Minutes later, Hythe had another chance to score from yet another corner but strong protests of a handball on the line kept the score down to four… if only for a few minutes.

Breaking free of the defence and looking suspiciously offside, Shaun Welford calmly slotted one under Bracken to make it five. In truth, whether Welford was offside or not didn’t matter. The game had long gone for Casuals.

Despite Casuals’ fans in full voice, James Morrish made it Corinth’s worst defeat of the season after netting a sixth. To add insult to injury, Reece Placid’s header at the other end couldn’t get past the crossbar and rebounded to safety. Hythe’s players and supporters at least had a more cheerful long trip home than they might have expected.

After the match, Matt Howard commented on the performance.

“When we lose, we lose good and proper… massively disappointing. I think a few of our players absolutely bottled it tonight.

“Hythe are a big physically strong side and a few of us melted. At this level of football you can’t afford to carry passengers and we’ve carried quite a few passengers out there today.

“What I will say is that we’re all in it together. There’s no point now throwing our toys out of the pram. That’s the first defeat in six games. We’ll regroup… we’ll address it at training and put a few wrongs right before the match on Saturday.

“The game was lost in the first half. To go one-nil up in the first five minutes we’ve thought ‘happy days’ and of late, we haven’t looked like conceding a goal. Whether the boys got carried away I don’t know. The lads in the dressing room before the game had seen their names climbing up the ‘clean sheet’ table.

“The first goal was comical defending; we’ve had three corners in succession that we haven’t cleared. The second… well – I think we had four opportunities to clear it but we didn’t and the third was half a clearance and they’ve finished it well to be fair… and with a shot.

“At the end of the day, we don’t shoot. There’s only one player at Corinthian-Casuals that shoots and that’s Jamie Byatt. That’s why he scores thirty goals in a season… coz he shoots. We try and score by walking it in the net, by dribbling it round people. We just don’t shoot!

“It’s a strong word to use but a few of our players tonight bottled it or they’re cowards. But one defeat in six… let’s regroup and see if we can get a result on Saturday.”

 

Corinthian-Casuals 0-0 Folkestone Invicta
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 7th March 2015
Match report: Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals held high flying Folkestone Invicta to a goalless draw at King Georges Arena as Matt Howard’s men continued their impressive form.

And former AFC Wimbledon and Kingstonian defender, now Casuals’ First Team Coach, Wayne Finnie thinks this crop of players is the best he’s seen at the Tolworth-based side.

“As a group of players, individually are really good...  I’ve been here a while and they’re the best. Better than anything I can think of in that time.

“There’s a real feel good factor both on the pitch and off it. The boys acknowledge that and seen how we’ve performed out in Sao Paulo against a fantastic team. We now ask ourselves ‘why can’t we do that every single week?’

“Since returning home, we’ve played five league games and are unbeaten in that time. We’re hoping we can carry that form.”

Skipper Joe Hicks returned after a two game absence whilst Carl Wilson-Denis reclaimed his place after missing the midweek draw at Walton Casuals.

With a strong overhead wind behind them, the visitors made the brighter start with Casuals set-up to get as many men behind the ball as possible in an effort to frustrate their opponents.

There was an early shout for a penalty waved away as skipper Joe Hicks rose above Ian Draycott with Invicta claiming the Casuals skipper was climbing on the back of the dangerous front man who has hit over 30 goals already this season.

On 10 minutes Matt Newman picked out the lively Jon Pilbeam down the right hand side who found himself in space but his low centre was gathered at the second attempt by Danny Bracken.

Returning skipper Hicks nearly paid the price for being caught on the ball 3 minutes later but after robbing the defender Draycott attempted to lift the ball over Bracken from some distance and only succeeded in sending the ball bobbling wide of the unguarded net.

It was all Invicta with Casuals at times having 11 men behind the ball. This seemed to have the desired effect with the visitors restricted to opportunist efforts. Draycott again this time curling a free kick just wide from 25 yards.

The striker felt perhaps he should have done better as James Everitt’s long ball found head of the ex-Leatherhead poacher but his effort was straight at Bracken.

Casual’s first real foray into the opposition half came after half an hour when Hicks took matters into his own hands linking well with Juevan Spencer. However after receiving the ball following a one-two he stumbled inside the area with the ball rolling into the hands of keeper Tim Roberts who had a relatively trouble free opening period.

The home side comfortably saw out the latter stages of the first half, which saw both sides even going into the break.

With the wind behind them Matt Howard’s side set out making an instant improvement to their offensive stats as the half began. Indeed inside the first few minutes they recorded their first shot of the match when Jamie Byatt volleyed wide of Roberts goal following Brackens long punt downfield.

A few minutes later and Casuals nearly opened the scoring with the best chance of the match.

Down the right following Spencer’s trickery the ball broke to Ross Defoe and his low cross evaded both Byatt and the covering Frankie Chappell. Mason Welch-Turner arriving at the back post saw his sidefooted effort blocked by the legs of Roberts and away for a corner.

Invicta tested Bracken for the first time in the half when Pilbeam’s free kick was grabbed at the second attempt after bouncing in front of the home stopper.

The home side introduced Max Austin for Carl Wilson-Denis on the hour mark and then saw the striker just fail to get onto Danny Dudley’s header following a Byatt corner,

The Seasiders made a change of their own with Ronnie Dolan coming on for Pilbeam and after robbing Lee Hall down the right his ball across the box saw Jordan Wright sidefoot over when well placed at the edge of the area,

With 18 minutes remaining both sides came close to breaking the deadlock. Firstly Michael Everitt headed Dolan’s free kick down into the ground and just wide whilst at the other end following Bettache’s nutmeg of James Everitt and Defoe’s subsequent cross Reece Placid saw a low volley at the back post well held by Roberts on the line.

Casuals sensing maximum points could be on offer continued to ask questions of the visiting backline and Max Austin drove a fierce effort the wrong side of the post and into the side-netting.

At the other end James Everitt was inches away from heading Wrights cross into the back of the net. With 5 minutes remaining Lee Hall’s in-swinging free kick was met by Byatt who failed to divert his effort goalwards. In the dying stages both Ashley Miller and then Draycott worked themselves half chances but both times Bracken was down comfortably to save.

A well-earned point for both sides that will aid their relative causes going into the final stage of the season.

After the match, ex-Casuals Captain turned first-team Coach, Wayne Finnie spoke of the performance and the belief that’s around the football club.

“I think today was a fair point. In terms of possession, Folkestone dominated but in terms of chances, you could argue we edged it. The conditions were difficult; very windy and with the sun right in player’s eyes.

“Folkestone are a very good side. They’re third in the league and after thirty-something games, it’s not by accident that they’re in that position. So the fact that we can compete with these clubs and even be a little disappointed at the end shows how far we’ve come.

“A lot of the players here have played at a good youth level but maybe haven’t got the experience at senior level and as some of the older guys will know, you play at this level, you’ll get plenty of games where you just can’t get the ball down and play… where you can’t do all the things you want to. You have to grind out results and on Wednesday against Walton, we didn’t seem to be at the races. Matt and Luke (Garrard) have addressed that before today’s match and reinforced that message to them. As a result, today was much much better.

“I know not everyone went to Brazil and that was unfortunate that they all couldn’t go, but those who did travel, it’s given them a kick up the backside. It’s evident that it has revitalised everyone.

“There’s a real feel good factor both on the pitch and off it. The boys acknowledge that and seen how we’ve performed out in Sao Paulo against a fantastic team. We now ask ourselves ‘why can’t we do that every single week?’

“Since returning home, we’ve played five league games and are unbeaten in that time. We’re hoping we can carry that form. The playoffs, notwithstanding other results, are probably just a little too far but certainly, we’ll avoid relegation… though I don’t want to speak too soon!

“We’ll look to the remainder of the season and break whatever records we’ve got and finish as high as we can in the league.

“As a group of players, individually are really good...  I’ve been here a while and they’re the best. Better than anything I can think of in that time.”

Stuart Tree's photos from the match can be seen here.

Walton Casuals 1-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Wednesday 4th March 2015
Ryman League Division One South
Match report and pic: Stuart Tree

Jamie Byatt scored for a third consecutive league match to earn Corinthian-Casuals a hard-fought point at Waterside Drive but Manager Matt Howard issued an apology to anyone watching their performance.

Speaking after the match, which ended one apiece, Howard said “I apologise to anyone who paid to watch that tonight… it was dire. That’s probably the worst game of football I’ve ever seen in my life. It was awful.

“I’ll state now that we will never ever play that bad ever again. We were shocking tonight!”

Corinthian-Casuals travelled the short distance with a depleted squad, having both first choice centre-backs unavailable. In their place were the extremely green replacements of Jake Downs and Andy Mills – the number of first team appearances between them could be counted on one hand.

There was also a return for Steve Goddard who hadn’t donned the Casuals’ shirt since October. Jamie Byatt once again took on the Captaincy in place of the missing Joe Hicks.

Walton Casuals came into the match on the back of two league defeats but had recently climbed out of the relegation places. This wasn’t going to be as easy a task to get three points as the previous league meeting between the two back in August – Corinth winning 4-1.

And so it proved; Walton took the early lead through Scott Day. Goalkeeper Danny Bracken was unable to hold onto a vicious shot and the resulting fumble fell to the number 10 who stabbed home from close range.

Corinth were unperturbed by going a goal down and good interlinking play between Jamie Byatt and Dave Hodges saw the latter’s shot curl just wide of the far post.

Minutes later, neat forward play from the visitors saw a penalty awarded and Byatt immediately stepped up, looking to make amends for the saved spot kick on Saturday. With his trademark long run-up, Byatt placed it to the left of Tom Wellham and levelled the scores.

In what can only be described accurately as ‘scrappy’, chances fell to both sides who could’ve capitalised better on the misfortunes of either defence. Byatt and Spencer had excellent chances in a goalmouth scramble (a common theme for the evening) and Danny Green’s 20 yard effort screamed over the bar. Walton did have the ball in the net on the stroke of half time, but the referee adjudged the Stag’s forward to have committed a foul on Bracken in the process.

The second half began with Charlie Carter replacing Goddard to make his debut for the club. Walton pressed for a second goal and came close when the ever-dangerous Day struck the crossbar. The Stags almost bundled another goal in similar fashion to the first, but this time Bracken was there to turf the ball out of play.

The only real notable chance for Corinth fell in the dying minutes as Charlie Carter had a chance to cap his debut with a goal, but his excellent effort was matched by Wellham in goal.

Afterwards, Matt Howard spoke of the performance.

“Before the game I’d have said that was two points dropped but after the match, that’s a point gained. I apologise to anyone who paid to watch that tonight… it was dire. That’s probably the worst game of football I’ve ever seen in my life. It was awful.

“Six or seven weeks ago, we’d have lost that, but we’ve mustered a draw. With the players that we have out, if you’d have said before the game against Whyteleafe that we’ll take four points from there and here, I’d have been happy.

“But I do feel we’ve dropped two points here after getting the win on Saturday. It’s a good point but I’ll state now that we will never ever play that bad ever again. We were shocking tonight!

“Walton Casuals will win games for sure. They’ll be livid though… that’s two points dropped for them.

“Our situation in the league is a strange one. We’re still looking over our shoulder at the teams below but we’re also thinking ‘how far can we push up the table’?”

Whyteleafe 2-3 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 28th February 2015
Match report: Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree
Attendance: 190

Casuals made it 3 wins from 3 in the league since their return from Brazil as they avenged Whytelafe’s heavy defeat earlier in the season.

A Dave Hodges goal in the 4th minute of stoppage time earned Casuals arguably their most impressive away points of the season against one of the leagues most potent attacks.

It was a strange opening to the game as Casuals looked to get to grips with the artificial surface now installed on Church Road. The home side who were looking for the points to further enhance their play off challenge were surprisingly sluggish and found it hard to develop any rhythm in the early stages.

Jason Henry had the games first effort as he cut in from the right and sent off a low effort, which forced Danny Bracken down.

Casuals waited for the quarter hour mark before troubling Sheikh Ceesay in the home goal. Jamie Byatt attempting to head over the keeper after Juevan Spencer’s cross fell kindly 10 yards out. On this occasion the home custodian was able to pluck the ball from the sky.

Henry seemed the most likely outlet for the hosts and he was unfortunate to just head past the right hand post after arriving before Bracken and Danny Dudley.

With the home side failing to penetrate as expected in the early stages Casuals started to apply themselves better further up the pitch and after a couple of well worked passages of play they opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.
Ross Defoe’s free kick into the area was only half cleared by Sol Patterson-Bohner and Jamie Byatt turned magnificently to fire past Ceesay from the edge of the area as the ball dropped down. It was a real strikers finish and a timely boost for the stand in skipper who had found goals hard to come by of late.

Casuals nearly made it two almost straight away. After being gifted possession back a flowing move down the right saw Maz Bettache just poke Spencer’s low pass just wide of the far post.

It really should have been double trouble for the hosts in the 26th minute as Casuals were awarded a spot kick. Spencer and Byatt combining well down the right again and Bentley Graham clipped the heels of the visiting skipper.

Ceesay came to his sides rescue as he got down left to palm Byatt’s spot kick away and keep his side in the match.
The Leafe visibly shocked were struggling to get back into the match with several inquests on the pitch between their players.

Carl Wilson-Denis had an effort cleared off the line as the host’s defence switched off from a corner as Casuals sought a deserved second.

The chances continued to come and 5 minutes before the break Byatt should have scored again as he found himself unmarked 6 yards out from Dave Hodges free kick but he headed down and wide of the gaping goal.

At the other end Roscoe D’Sane threatened with a header in a rare attack from the home side but 3 minutes before the break Casuals worked a well-deserved second.
After winning the ball in midfield Byatt played in Dave Hodges down the left and after accelerating past Dean Hamlin his low centre was finished at the first time of asking by Spencer despite Ceesay’s best efforts.

Knowing surely their opponents couldn’t be as poor in the second period as they was the first Casuals looked to stay compact and solid as the half began.

The home side had surprisingly withdrawn the dangerous Jason Henry at half time but replaced him with highly rated Tommy Smith.

The Leafe showed their intentions early on as Casuals backline of Danny Dudley and debutant Andy Mills were asked questions of for the first time during the afternoon.

11 minutes after the break and the hosts had a route back into the match. Bentley Graham weaving his way into the area and after being brought down by Dudley the ball broke to D’Sane who fired under Bracken with the ref seemingly about to blow for a spot kick.

Within 4 minutes and the match was back level. D’Sane again finishing off good work from Graham as he expertly stretched to fire home the right wing cross.

As expected the home side were now in full flow and Sam Clayton went close to turning the match completely around as he drifted through several tired challenges before seeing an effort rebound off the foot of the post and away to safety.

The same player was at it again in the 70th minute as he hit a brilliant left footed effort, which flew just over Bracken's upright.

Casuals brought on Max Austin as they looked to force their way back into the half after being very much on the back foot and the young striker nearly had an immediate impact as he darted past the attention of two defenders before dragging his effort wide.

As the game entered its final ten minutes it seemed the visitors had weathered the storm and were now looking to hit a decisive goal. Byatt and Hodges once again linked well with the latter having a cross from the left scrambled away by some desperate home defending.

The home side continued to offer a threat of their own and substitute Tom Pratt fired just over after being set up by D’Sane.

Matthews thought he had won the game with 3 minutes remaining when he met Hodges in-swinging free kick but not for the first time Ceesay came to his side’s rescue diving away to his left to parry clear.

With the game deep into stoppage time and the points seemingly spoiled Casuals loaded up the box for one final time as Bettache prepared to take a right sided free kick. Byatt rose above his marker and created the opportunity for Hodges to nip in and squeeze the ball between Ceesay’s legs to spark wild celebrations amongst the players and visiting fans alike.

There was no time for a final response from the hosts and Casuals had earned a hugely important victory points as the lower placed sides continued to pick up points.

After the match Matt Howard commented 

"First half we were very good but we didn’t think they would be as poor as they were. They had a lot of the ball but didn’t really hurt us. 

"The dressing rooms back onto one another and I could hear their manager stripping paint off the walls, screaming and hollering at his team. He got a massive reaction from them and they’ve come out and battered us in the second half.

"That said, the way we’ve played, we knew we’d create chances and on another day, the penalty goes in, the chance near the end goes in and we could’ve scored four or five goals. It’s pleasing to know we’ll always create chances, even against a strong side like Whyteleafe.

"I looked at their bench today and thought ‘what I’d give for someone like Tommy Smith to be at our club’… and he can’t get in their starting eleven at the moment, which shows you what a good, good side Whyteleafe are and they’ll be there or there-abouts come the end of the season.

"We worked on training with the back four coming into this match but unfortunately, we’ve missed Jake Downs today who couldn’t make it. He’s gutted that he couldn’t be here but we’ve done really well in his absence. 

"The amount of times we’ve conceded a last minute goal, it’s about time we got one ourselves."


Stuart Tree's Pictures can be viewed here