Herne Bay 2-1  Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 27th September 2014
Winch's Field
Final Score: 2-1
Att: 184
Report and Pics by Stuart Tree

A spirited second hlf performance from Corinthian-Casuals wasn’t enough to turn around the poor start made and Herne Bay held on for all three points in this Ryman League Division One South encounter.

Herne Bay have a terrific home record this season and coming into the match had taken 15 points from a possible 18. However, Casuals had won on their previous two visits to Winch’s Field and were looking to make it a hat-trick of victories to keep them within touching distance of league leaders Burgess Hill Town.

Matt Howard made two changes to the starting XI who defeated Chipstead in midweek with Juevan Spencer and Dave Hodges returning for the absent Jordan Vidal and Steve Goddard.

It looked like it could’ve been a good start for the Casuals as Jamie Byatt stuck the ball away after just one minute but was adjudged offside. Things were to get a lot worse for Casuals in the next twenty minutes. In the third minute, Herne Bay struck; Stuart King fired in from twenty yards leaving Danny Bracken in goal no chance. Herne Bay were up for maintaining their decent home record and looked lively as Casuals hung on. Things were to get worse in the tenth minute after Jamie Byatt was replaced by debutant Cisse Bamoussa when the striker pulled up clutching his hamstring.

In the twentieth minute, Bay made it 2-0. Stuart King once again on hand to fire the ball home after Danny Williams beat Bracken to a vicious cross which found the striker unmarked. Herne Bay were looking strong and Casuals were flustered at the events of the first twenty minutes.

But Casuals aren’t second in the league for no reason. Settling down, Corinth began to knock the ball around on the decent surface and on 25 minutes, Maz Bettache turned his marker and unleashed a well struck shot which keeper Jack Delo did well to tip over. Mason Welch-Turner, who didn’t stop running all afternoon provided crosses deep from the flanks which were dealt with the Bay defence but the momentum started to swing Casual’s way.

Danny Bracken came to the rescue in the 36th minute after Joe Nelder broke the Casuals back line and played in Williams who’s shot was palmed onto the post and back across the goalmouth. At 3-0, the match would’ve been over by half time.

After the break, as so often this season, Causals came out all guns blazing. Shane Graham made his debut coming on for Niall Wright and immediately started to help influence the run of play. The wing play of Graham and Spencer, and Welch-Turner and Hodges was proving to be a problem for the Bay defence. Jack Delo flapped at a Welch-Turner cross but the resulting fumble fell just short of Juevan Spencer and was gathered up at the second opportunity.

On seventy minutes, Carl Wilson-Denis, holding the ball up, was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and a penalty awarded. Lee Hall (pictured) stepped up to fire home his first goal in the Chocolate and Pink.

Sensing a comeback, Casuals pushed on and continued to bother the home defence. Lee Hall, Jevan Spencer and Wilson-Denis all  had shots blocked in the box and Maz Bettache’s free kick flew just wide of the keeper’s left hand post.

However, Casuals’ momentum was halted in an unusual fashion when play was halted for ten minutes after Herne Bay ran out of footballs to play. Confusion reigned and players and manager’s frustrations rose as the club couldn’t muster any replacements. With only four balls declared for play at the start of the match and no-one retrieving those that cleared the ground, all of Casual’s pressure was undone as the game finally restarted but ended in a damp squib. It was a most unusual and disappointing way to end a cracking game of football.

After the match, Manager Matt Howard spoke.

“We let ourselves down in a big way today. Starting games the way we have, we’ve almost got away with it up to now. At this level, you can’t start like that. Eventually you get punished and we have today. It’s a problem but the lads are addressing it amongst themselves.

“Credit to us second half; we’ve come out and played well but I am disappointed overall.

“The incident with the lost balls killed us. It lost us all momentum. It was embrarrasing.

“We’re not sure about Jamie’s (Byatt) injury. We’re having a look at it now and we’ll see where we are come Tuesday. The good thing is we’ve not got a game until Saturday so it gives us a little time.

“Mason (Welch-Turner) is getting better with every game. He’s only a youngster but he’s growing in confidence the more he plays. We’ll treat him carefully and he’s coming on leaps and bounds. The lads really like him too which is a massive help.

We’ll be okay. It’s a case of how we bounce back. The next two league games are hard ones but we’ll be ready!”

Full set of photos can be seen here.

Corinthian-Casuals 3-1 Chipstead
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 23rd September 2014
Attendance: 153
Match Report by Stuart Tree

A stellar second half performance from Corinthian-Casuals saw the Amateurs go second in the Ryman League Division One South after defeating fellow over-achievers Chipstead.

Casuals came into the match off a defeat and a draw and Matt Howard’s men looked to get back to winning ways. Casuals had a 100% midweek record to maintain and at half time, it looked in jeopardy. However, goals from Jamie Byatt, Carl Wilson-Denis and Dave Hodges ensured that Corinth made it six wins from six from midweek encounters.

Matt Howard and Luke Garrard tinkered with the formation prior to kickoff, fielding an attacking 4-3-3 formation. Steve Goddard returned to the starting line up as did Mason Welch-Turner at left-back. Jordan Vidal was moved to midfield with Jamie Byatt taking up a wide position in a three pronged attack that included Goddard and Carl Wilson-Denis.

Chipstead also came into the game full of confidence. Though they were knocked out after extra time in the FA Cup the previous week, a decent start to their league campaign had only seen them defeated once in eight games.

Both sides were set up for an offensive game and throughout the ninety minutes, each side played slick, entertaining football. In the seventh minute, the first chance fell to Casuals when Niall Wright’s cross found Steve Goddard whose flick-on went narrowly wide. On the counter, Chipstead’s Will Turl beat Danny Bracken to the ball outside the keeper’s area but couldn’t find the target from the ever-increasingly difficult angle.

Shortly after, Jamie Byatt, deep in the channels, found Carl Wilson-Denis in the middle of the box and the veteran striker’s turn and shot passed narrowly wide of Paul McCarthy’s post. The combination of Byatt and Wilson-Denis was to prove deadly to Chipstead all night.

But it was Chipstead who took the lead in the 31st minute. Josh Gallagher opened the scoring for the Chips in what was their first real effort on goal. Immediately at the other end, ex-Chipstead defender, Danny Dudley agonisingly-stretched for a cross in a move reminiscent of Gazza’s effort versus Germany at Euro 96 – his feet inches away from putting the ball in the net.

After the break, Casuals emerged with a different formation, switching to the more traditional 4-4-2. Wingers Juevan Spencer and Dave Hodges also emerged from the bench to make a real impact. But the game could’ve turned before they had a chance to make an impression; Chipstead hit the bar from an acute angle that could so have easily snuck in. If the Chips had gone two-up, there’s every likelihood that the result would’ve been very different. However, games turn on missed opportunities and Chipstead were to pay.

With the two pacey wingers now in play, Byatt switched back to head the attack and Maz Bettache was given more space to create in the centre. It worked: In the 50th minute, Byatt, running onto a sweet pass struck the ball first time in a goal that can only be scored by a striker with a real instinct of where the goal is. His shot beat the stranded McCarthy and nestled in the bottom corner, much to the delight of the Casuals faithful behind the goal.

It was soon to be two: Casuals now in the ascendancy were tearing apart the Chipstead defence with such ease, it was hard to see how the visitors had such a high placing in the league. Byatt linked up with Wilson-Denis to provide the latter with a cross that was neatly put away and to give Corinth the lead.

From there on in, there was only one winner. On 88 minutes, Dave Hodges sealed the victory when breaking through the defence, shot hard and low past McCarthy to make it 3-1. In truth, Casuals should have made it four or five after Juevan Spencer spurned a one-on-one chance and Byatt went inches wide with another instinctive stab at goal. It was a resounding second half performance and a victory that confirms the Amateurs are in real top-class form.

All credit to Chipstead: they came to King George’s with the intention of playing attractive, free-flowing football and they played a huge part in making this match a real entertaining affair for the 153 in attendance. But the main credit must go to the management team of Matt Howard and Luke Garrard who changed the formation, the playing style and made two inspired substitutions that led to Casuals taking all three points.

After the match, Assistant Manager Luke Garrard gave his thoughts.

“First half we were poor but at half time, we changed it a little bit and it seemed to pan out like it has done so far this season and we put in a performance that was typical of us.

“Two long balls exposed Chipstead. We had numbers up front and Busy (Jamie Byatt) took advantage scoring one and setting up Carl (Wilson-Denis) who got in between the posts and put the ball away.

“The fact that we changed it from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 came to fruition. It released the two wide players gave us pace and energy.

“We're a team that gains momentum with every match. We're a fit side. Teams when they come here seem to tire a lot quicker than what we do. We gain more energy as they lose it. That's how we hurt teams. We hurt them in the wide areas with pace as the game progresses.

“I always fancy us to go on and get a result, even if we concede a goal first like we did tonight.

“Saturday against Herne Bay will be a different story – it’s a tough place to go, but if we can keep the same shape and hit them on the break, we’re a match for anyone.”

Andy Nunn's excellent photos from the match can be seen here.

Corinthian-Casuals 1-1 Tooting & Mitcham Utd
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 20th September 2014
Attendance: 221
Report and pics by Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals earned themselves a point with a much improved second half performance against a well organised Tooting and Mitcham side in the Ryman League Division One South.

Casuals came into the game after missing a midweek fixture due to their scheduled opponent’s involvement in the FA Cup. Manager Matt Howard made two changes from the side that lost 4-1 against Three Bridges; Jordan Vidal and Danny Dudley returned to the centre of defence for Corinth – the latter serving his red-card ban with Danny Green and Mason Welch-Turner moving to the bench.

The early exchanges were played with caution and neither side exploded into the match. In the fifth minute, ex-Casuals’ Jordan Cheadle, usually deadly from set pieces fired over from a free kick. At the other end, Jordan Vidal’s deep cross found Carl Wilson-Denis but keeper Paul Smith was on hand to keep the striker from scoring.

On 22 minutes, the first real clear cut chance fell to the home side. The pacy Juevan Spencer found himself one-on-one with Paul Smith and with just the keeper to beat, Spencer dragged the ball too close to Smith who was able to gather up the ball. Seven minutes later, Causals were to pay for not taking the opportunity.

Dan Summers beat two defenders and crashed in a low shot past Danny Bracken and into the bottom corner. Casuals shoulders slumped and Tooting’s dominance was telling. The home side were quickly turning in an insipid performance with the Terrors first to every ball and clearances from the Casuals back line quickly falling back into the feet of the visitors. Tooting went into the break the deserved leaders and Casuals with much work to do.

With a stern talking to behind them, Casuals emerged a different side in the second half. Their attacking intent was evident to all 221 in attendance. Jordan Vidal and Dave Hodges interlinked beautifully and the majority of the attack came from the left side. Joe Hicks and Jamie Byatt both had chances go begging from crosses provided on the wing.

That’s not to say Tooting were on the backfoot; the Terrors were looking to kill the game off and had a couple of solid chances to do so. Tinashe Nkoma continued to haunt the Casuals defence and his skilful run ended with a rasping shot that sails over the bar… and in truth should have scored.

The Amateurs continued to pile on pressure and get back on level terms and did so on 65 minutes. Maz Bettache worked his quick feet to dance round three Tooting defenders before laying off the ball in a one-two with Hodges and cooly slotting past Paul Smith to bury the ball from a tight angle. It was a goal befitting of the skill that the young midfielder possesses and was of real quality.

Tinashe Nkoma had a golden opportunity to restore Tooting’s lead but with acres of space out wide, he once again blasts his shot over… the youngster seemingly leaving his shooting boots at home.

Casuals can feel aggrieved that they weren’t awarded a penalty. Carl Wilson Denis, on controlling a cross is clattered into and the big forward tumbled to the floor. Whilst the referee’s view may have been blocked, for those supporters behind the goal (and an iPhone video replay) there was no uncertainty as to what the decision should have been.

Almost immediately, Wilson-Denis found himself once again centre of attention after his header almost found the net but a scramble by Paul Smith was enough to keep it out.

By this point, the game was wide open and both sides sensed that three points were up for grabs. Danny Bracken was called into action after Sol Pinnock weaved through the defence and Danny Dudley also making a decent last ditch block. Casuals also had another penalty shout turned down when Michael Fahm was clattered into by the onrushing Paul Smith.

In time added on, Tooting should’ve taken the points after Billy Marshall found himself free in the middle of the Casuals six yard box. But with the goal seemingly easier to score than miss, he blazed his shot high over the bar. Tooting could’ve taken the three points and if this was Rugby, Marshall would’ve had them.

On reflection, a draw seemed to be the right result for both sides and an entertaining game was played in good spirits in front of a decent crowd.

After the match, Manager Matt Howard spoke.

“That wasn’t nearly good enough from us today. If we think we can just coast through games and be acceptable, then Luke and I let them know in no uncertain terms that it’s not good enough.”

“I was disappointed overall but pleased that we got the reaction that we did after half time.

“I didn’t see the Carl Wilson-Denis incident, but Luke said that it was a stonewall penalty… he was absolutely adamant. But forget Carl’s shout… that was a penalty at the end. If Michael (Fahm) wins the ball like the assistant says he does, then the goalkeeper has wiped him out.

“On another day, Tooting could’ve scored four or five and we could’ve got a couple more but I think the draw is a fair result. If I’m honest, before the game, I’d have taken that.”

Stuart Tree’s match photos can be seen here.

Corinthian-Casuals 1-4 Three Bridges
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 13th September 2014

Casuals suffered a bad day at the office as they succumbed 4-1 to Three Bridges in the Ryman League Division One South.

Corinth were riding on the crest of a wave after reaching top spot in the table following their 1-0 win at Carshalton Athletic. And although Three Bridges were thumped 8-1 in midweek at Guernsey, the side they faced was markedly different to the one that travelled to the Channel Island on Wednesday.

Matt Howard had one enforced change, bringing in Danny Green at Centre Back in place of Danny Dudley, suspended for his red card at Horsham. Other changes included Mason Welch-Turner, in for the absent Jordan Vidal and Juevan Spencer for Steve Goddard, who can only feature in midweek.

Normally regarded as slow starters, Casuals bucked the trend when in the first minute, Maz Bettache played in Juevan Spencer who cut inside and drilled a low shot past Kieron Thorp in the Bridge’s goal.

Spencer’s pace continued to cause problems on the wing and created a couple of more early chances for the Casuals. The winger almost returned the favour to Bettache when playing a neat cross only for the young Algerian to have his shot blocked.

The visitors begun to get a foothold in the match and a warning shot across Casuals’ bows from Louis Gray woke the home side’s defence. However, on 22 minutes, Williams Peauroux was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and a penalty was awarded. Bridges’ striker, Tony Garrod stepped up but his effort was comfortably gobbled up by Danny Bracken.

A few minutes later, tensions boiled as Maz Bettache, who was fouled stirred reactions from both sides in a fracas that saw two from Bridges booked along with Lee Hall and Carl Wilson-Denis.

Bridges continued to apply pressure and on 38 minutes, they struck the crossbar and the post in the space of 30 seconds; first from Ben Godfrey and a rasper of a shot from fullback Matt Whitehead. Breaking from the resulting rebound, Jamie Byatt beautifully dispatched a cross from Dave Hodges into the net only to be ruled offside. Hodges throughout the first half continued to break quickly and through his efforts, Casuals had a number of shots blocked, including those from Wilson-Denis, Byatt and Bettache.

Unlike Tuesday against Carshalton, Casuals were to rue the chances missed to make it 2-0. Wilson-Denis and Hicks both went close after the break but the scoreline remained 1-0 until an uncharacteristic mistake from Captain Joe Hicks let Tony Garrod have an uncontested shot on goal and although Bracken was quickly down to meet the shot, his fingertips were not enough to prevent the visitors from equalising.

Now on the up, Bridges continued to push forward and Casuals conceded a free kick on the edge of the box which was duly converted by Sam MacVicar on 65 minutes. In truth, Casuals had rode their luck in the first half but now were paying for it.

Looking for the equaliser, Casuals began to press forward more and Bettache could only shoot just wide after being played in by Wilson-Denis. Hodges’ crosses still caused problems and one particular cross that picked out Juevan Spencer saw the scorer’s shot neatly saved.

Casuals had strong claims of an equaliser. A free kick from Danny Green launched deep into the box saw Carl Wilson-Denis rise above the keeper and in the resulting melee, the ball was thought to have crossed the line, but the assistant didn’t give it despite strong protestations from the Casuals players and supporters. In the resulting break, Bridges almost extended their lead.

The game was wide open by this point and Three Bridges capitalised on this scoring two late stoppage time goals. First from Lee Carney and then a prod home from a couple of yards by Jamie Crellin to flatter the visitors if in scoreline only.

In truth, Bridges deserved their win despite Casuals taking the lead. Wanting to bounce back quickly from this result, Corinth were to quickly learn that their Tuesday night fixture away to Folkestone has been postponed due to the Kent side’s draw in the FA Cup. Matt Howard’s men will have to wait for the visit of Tooting and Mitcham to make amends.

After the match, Howard spoke of the loss, “It was a bit of a strange one today. We’re normally slow starters, yet we’re one-nil up after 42 seconds. But I thought we were poor. We were poor first half but to come in one-nil up, that was brilliant, and if we got a second, I think we would’ve killed the game off.

“It’s just a disappointing result. We’re on course for where we want to be, so I’ll just put that down to a bad day, so I’m not going to get carried away. It was just a bad day.

“The first goal that they’ve scored, you can’t do anything about really. It’s just a mistake that’s been punished. The second goal was cheap. The third, the lad has just come on and shouldn’t have got the ball where he did. We should’ve been on it more, but I’m not going to place any blame there.

“We’ve played a couple more games than teams around us but points in the bag are better than games in hand and with ten games gone, we’re well on course for where we want to be.”


Stuart Tree's pictures from the game can be seen here.

Carshalton Athletic  0-1 Corinthain-Casuals
Ryman Division One South
Tuesday 9th September 2014
Attendance 165

By Darren Pasley
Pictures: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals moved to the summit of the Ryman South table with their first clean sheet of the season on their travels.

Jordan Vidal and Steve Goddard returned to the starting line up as Matt Howard’s men looked to extend their winning run in the league to four matches.

The opening exchanges in truth were sloppy with both sides giving the ball away despite the Colston Avenue pitch being in great early season condition.

The home side looked the more lively but it wasn’t till the 17th minute that the games first meaningful effort on target was registered. Adriano Moraes up from full back hit an effort from the edge of the box that deflected off Wright and over. From the resulting corner taken by Greene, skipper Tony Sinclair saw his goalbound volley hit Dudley as the Robins pressed for the opener.

Casuals had their first effort after 21 minutes when Lee Hall hit a speculative effort from distance but despite having power the shot lacked the direction to trouble Jack Eden in the home net.

Carshalton were looking increasingly threatening with the  attacking trio of Aikhionbare, Thomas and Miller all interchanging and causing problems with their movement up top. Despite this however the visitors took the lead in 25th minute.

With a throw only heading its way back out to the left hand side Dave Hodges crossed superbly for Joe Hicks to rise above the attentions of two defenders and head home superbly into the top corner. It was another great goal for the skipper on the back of his volley against Redhill three days earlier.

The hosts continued to posses a menace inside the visitors box and Bracken was called into serious action for the first time as he got down low to tip Kingsley Aikhionbare’s low effort past the post. From the corner the ball fell to Jamal Alexander who had a drive tipped over by Casuals number one.

On 33 minutes Eden was forced into his first save of the night when Bettache attempted a dipping volley from just outside the box, which was well held.

Dwayne Marshall had the best chance for an equaliser 3 minutes before the break but from Nicky Greene’s free kick he headed wide of the near post.

After the break it was Casuals who made the early running and on 49 minutes they should have doubled the lead. A free kick from halfway was headed clear and with Hodges looping the ball back into the box, Jamie Byatt unexpectedly found himself onside in acres of space 12 yards from goal. Perhaps surprised, he rushed his effort and hooked a shot wide.

Marshall in a carbon copy of his first half effort went close again this time heading over although the assistants flag was raised from a free kick.

It was a frustrating period for both sides, which followed. The final ball lacking the quality at both ends of the pitch.

In spite of this it was the visitors who fashioned the serious chances. The hardworking Byatt on 66 minutes found himself down the left 12 yards from goal after good work from the battling Goddard. This time though he snatched at his shot and it spun wide of the near post.

Bettache on 74 minutes who had come more into the game in the second period showed a good turn of pace to ride two challenges and feeding Wilson-Dennis. However the striker who in the past had a spell at Colston Avenue took an age to get set and Sinclair had time to recover and deny the strike.

At the other end the home side seemingly having run out of ideas threw on a number of replacements and Tommy Bradford showed promise with direct running. Any foray into the opposition box though was dealt with by the excellent Dudley and Hicks. Apart from a wild effort by Sean O’Toole in the allotted injury time there were no further efforts on Brackens goal and Casuals had reached the top of the table albeit on a temporary basis


Thanks to Steve Wigg the goal can be viewed here

Redhill 2-3 Corinthain-Casuals
Ryman Division One South
Saturday 6th September 2014
Attendance 223


By Darren Pasley
Pictures: Hanna Newton

Carl Wilson-Dennis hit his first Casuals goal in what ultimately proved to be the strike that secured 3 points in an afternoon of high-drama at Redhill.

In front of a bumper non-league crowd of 223 at Kiln Brow the former K’s striker returned for Steve Goddard in Matt Howards only change to the side that had performed so well against Guernsey on Tuesday evening.

The home side fresh from a decent midweek victory themselves (Horsham YMCA in the FA Cup) started well and Tyrone Pink had an effort in the first minute after cutting into the box. Bracken scrambled his effort to safety with Welch-Turner clearing the danger as Gordon closed down.

Redhill had Bredan Owusu’Ansah on loan from conference side Dover making his debut and the centre back was soon in the thick of the action throwing himself in the way of Dave Hodges drive after Byatt’s neat touch, to avert any danger.

Mahrez Beattache so inspirational in the victory over the Green Lions had the visitors first effort but his long range shot was just over as Casuals looked to get to grips with the uneven surface.

Reports this season had indicated the home side had conceded a number of goals as a result of poor keeping and Byatt inparticular seemed keen to test out the home sides latest recruit. In the 13th minute it was unlucky for the striker as he was adjudged to have fouled Michael Hunter signed on loan from Horsham, before knocking the ball into the net.

Both sides seemed happy to play the direct game and it nearly paid dividends for Wilson-Dennis after a long throw from Hodges caused panic on the 6-yard line but his hooked effort hit Jordan Anderson. Anderson at 6”8 a former youngster at Tottenham and also a pro in Belgium was expectedly dominating in the air but struggling with the movement of Byatt.(pictured battling each other below) On 18 minutes the striker nearly hit a goal of the season contender when he connected first time on the edge of the box with Spencer’s deep cross from the right but his volley sizzled just past Hunter’s upright. It was a magnificent effort.

Despite these good moments, the home side lively in the final third opened the scoring on 23 minutes. George Cousins beating Welch-Turner and from the byline cut the ball back to former Leatherhead winger Chris O’Flaherty. His effort took a deflection off an outstretched leg but Bracken managed to get back and seemingly claw the ball out from the line. For the second Saturday in a row the linesman’s flag was raised, this time indicating a goal much to the visiting players frustrations who were adamant the ball hadn’t crossed the line. Skipper Joe Hicks keen to emphasize the point that it would have been near impossible too much such a call with all the bodies in the way.

For a short period after Casuals seemed to let the decision get the better of them as they temporarily lost their shape and Cousins went close with a side footed effort which clipped the top of Danny Brackens bar on its way over. Within 10 minutes of going behind though, Casuals were handed the chance to level the match. Bettache’s corner into the danger area saw Danny Dudley sent flying by Anderson and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped Jamie Byatt to drill the ball past Hunter and bring the game even.

George Cousins was proving to be a menace down the flanks and it was his good play that nearly sent the home side in front before the break. On this occasion much to the visiting backlines relief, Bingham’s effort from 15 yards flew just past the right hand post.

The second period saw the home side again launch early offensive attacks. Cousins was the first to try his luck from the angle but he dragged his shot wide with Gordon failing to connect at the back post. Tyrone Pink moments later showed great feet to work an opportunity but his piledriver from 25 yards narrowly dipped wide of the target.

Having settled, Corinthians looked to take the game too their opponents who were looking increasingly vulnerable at the back. On 57 minutes a Hodges corner was met by Hicks on the volley but his goalbound shot was blocked by Duke. With the ball not fully cleared ,the ball back into the box once again found the Casuals captain and after showing good composure the chance fell to Wilson-Dennis who could only muster a weak effort at hunter from 10 yards.

Jamie Byatt went close from the resulting clearance as Lee Hall so dominant in midfield sent the ball back in and having beaten Hunter to the ball Redhill were extremely grateful to see the ball bounce on the 6 yard line and over the bar to safety.

With Casuals firmly in the ascendancy it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 62 minutes. Again a Dave Hodges corner from the left wasn’t cleared and with Byatt sending the ball back into the 6 yard box, Hunters punch under pressure from Wilson-Dennis could only reach the edge of the box. Joe Hicks showed great composure for a defender to swivel and smash home a low volley. It was a sweet strike and just reward for a player who has had a magnificent start to the season.

Redhill almost hit back when Bracken beaten to the ball from a corner by his own man was relived to see the ball cleared off the line by Danny Dudley. He had to be alert on 65 minutes when Bingham played in skipper Gavin Gordon but the Casuals number one was out to foil the strikers effort. It seemed the keepers luck was in on 67 minutes when a routine punt into the air from Anderson saw the keeper uncharacteristically drop the ball but Tyrone Pink sent his effort from the left hand side of the box wide of the unguarded goal. It was a huge let off for the visiting side.

Chances continued to come at both ends with Spencer and Wilson-Dennis combining well to present Byatt with another chance. This time an alert Hunter came flying out of goal and made a great block with his legs.

Juevan Spencer was finding more and more space as the home side pushed forward and after breaking from his own half he saw his route to goal blocked by Anderson as he was about to pull the trigger. The blocked clearance sat up neatly for Byatt who smashed the ball towards goal but Hunter made a brilliant stop before gathering the loose ball.

With the ball sent upfield and Redhill ready to launch another attack match referee Ashley Slaughter suddenly collapsed on 74 minutes. Both sets of players raced to his aid .The game was delayed as an ambulance arrived on the pitch and Mr. Slaughter was taken to hospital. The home side seemed keen to have the game abandoned but Matt Howard pointed to the fact this situation had occurred in a game last season against Three Bridges and as a result was aware that Isthmian league rules state that the game must finish to a conclusion.

After checking the rules and confirming this was the case the game resumed at

17.10 some 40 minutes after the original incident.

Hodges immediately set about finishing the game by driving at Redhill backline before sending a shot just wide

6 minutes after the restart Jordan Vidal was introduced for Welch-Turner and he had an immediate impact. After receiving a throw back from Hodges his left wing cross saw Hunter flap at the ball under pressure from Byatt and Carl Wilson-Dennis was on hand to stroke the ball home past the covering defender on the line. The smile on his face said it all as he had opened his Casuals account and a goal his ever-improving performances warranted.

He nearly doubled his tally shortly afterwards when Byatt’s persistence won the ball but like earlier in the half he shot tamely at Hunter. It was a similar story for Byatt who again found himself on the edge of the area with Hunter in no mans land but this time his effort had too much purchase and flew harmlessly over

Redhill continued to try and get their way back into the match and Bradley Duke saw a 35 yard effort fly just over whilst Joe Bingham saw his distance shot on target but Bracken was down to save smartly at the foot of the post.

The home side were rewarded with literally the last kick of the match, Bingham feeding Gavin Gordon who for once got on the right side of Hicks and finished well into the top corner.

It mattered not however and Casuals had their first three points on a Saturday this season

Hanna Newtons pictures can be viewed by clicking here

Corinthian Casuals 3-1 Guernsey
Ryman Division One South
Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Attendance 150
By Darren Pasley
Pictures: Stuart Tree


Corinthian-Casuals put Saturdays last gasp FA cup defeat firmly behind them as they continued their fine start to the season with an impressive showing against Guernsey.

Dave Hodges returned to the side after missing the weekend’s match and Steve Goddard made his second appearance of the season. Mason Turner-Welch continued at left back.

On a beautiful late summers evening there was a lovely early high tempo to the match. Jamie Byatt had the games opening effort with a run and shot that whistled past the post.

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute with their games first effort on target. Rhys Jordan collecting the ball midway in the opposition half drove on goal and from the edge of the box his low effort rebounded in off the post past the fully stretched Bracken. It was a great finish and one in keeping with the early stages with both sides playing well.

The goal seemed to give the Green Lions increased confidence and they quickly settled down and dictated play. Casuals were grateful to Danny Bracken on 26 minutes when Jordan nearly replicated his opening goal but this time the Casuals custodian tipped his effort onto his right hand post.

The chances continued to come for Guernsey with Luke Winch next to be denied by Bracken when his right footed shot from the angle was palmed over. From the resulting corner Jordan smashed wide after connecting fully on the volley.

Casuals rocked by the goal had seemed to lose their momentum and only threatened in rare attacks. Most of which involved Hodges as he continued to torment Hutton.

For all their play Guernsey were lucky to go into the break a goal up, when as half time approached Danny Dudley up from the back was clipped inside the box by Angus Mackay. To the surprise of most of the 150 strong crowd the referee waved away the penalty claims.

By his own admission his side emerged for the second half fired up by the strong words of Matt Howard.  Inside the first 5 minutes they had their reward when Hodges cut inside and smashed home a rocket into the roof of Thomas Creed’s net from 20 yards.

A Guernsey backline which seemed so composed first half was being put under increasing pressure as Casuals squeezed up pushing on the full backs. In turn the majestic Bettache was finding space to weave his magic and with the  opportunity was feeding either Byatt ,Goddard, or Hodges down the left. It was the latter that nearly created a second for Casuals with another low cross that Creed unorthodoxly flapped away.

The inevitable second arrived on the hour. Mahrez Bettache again showing great skill to knock the ball out wide to Hodges and his low cross was swept home in trademark fashion by Byatt on his 222nd appearance for Casuals.

Two quickly became three. Bettache once again with a clever ball into the box which Byatt knocked off to Goddard who on a plate smashed the ball into Creed’s bottom corner.

Casuals were on the rampage and it was nearly three in as many minutes when Goddard after linking with Bettache poked the ball through the keeper’s legs. This time the assistant’s flag came to the rescue of the visitors.

Hodges continued to give Nigel Hutton the run around and his left wing crosses were causing panic. On the other side full back Nial Wright strode forward and had a left footed opportunist effort just off target.

Corinthians were racking up the chances with Hodges denied by the outstretched boot of Creed and then Byatt having a header flashing just wide. Byatt thought he had added a 4th with a great finish following a flowing move but once again the linesman’s flag had risen to deny what would have been a wonderful goal.

To their credit Guernsey kept going for the final 10 minutes but found Casuals defence solid and they saw the game out to continue their unblemished midweek record.

Matt Howard spoke to Stuart Tree after the match

“To be fair, it's the story of the season so far. First half we were poor. Luke (Garrard) and I got them in at half time and I wouldn't say I was shouting at them, but we let them know we weren't very happy. I constructively said “this is the way to go and play” and we always thought if we could score one, we’d go on and win it, and lo and behold, we did.

“Second half we were outstanding. As soon as we got the first goal – and what a goal that was – both fullbacks really drove on and pushed forward and I think they won us the game tonight.

“Third in the table, but it’s only September 2nd. If we’re there in April then I’ll start getting a little bit excited.”