Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 2 Leatherhead
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 12th March 2022
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set of pics here)

A last-gasp Cameron Black header gave visitors Leatherhead three vital points in their battle against relegation, leaving Corinthian-Casuals without a win in nine league matches.

Casuals had earlier taken the lead courtesy of Ben Cheklit but were pegged back on the stroke of half-time by Mitchal Gough before the late Black goal gave the Tanners a much needed win.

The home side, comfortably in mid table were showing signs of battle weariness with a large number of players unavailable through injury. Most telling was the loss of Elliott Bolton who’s ever-presence in midfield was a huge blow due to an MCL injury which will keep him out for the remainder of the season. Bolton joins Jack Tucker, Mo Diallo and Jerry Nnamani amongst others missing for James Bracken’s side. In came teenagers Isaac Olaniyan, Josh Green and Brave Omondi, all of which would feature.

In the four fixtures played between the two clubs over the course of this season, this was by far the most competitive of the Tanners sides. Under new Manager Luke Tuffs, they’ve built a resilience not seen in those previous encounters. But it was Casuals who took the lead when Emmanuel Mensah squared a ball across goal with Ben Cheklit on the receiving end, impossible to miss. It could easily have been another one of those narrow defeats that Leatherhead have suffered in recent weeks but when Mitchal Gough launched himself at the end of a free kick to expertly head home on the stroke of half time, it was game on!

If a ball falls to any Casuals player in the penalty area, you’d want it to be Kieron Cadogan, but his shot was well saved by the young Jacob Adams in goal. Adams would put a claim in for Man of the Match with a couple more vital saves, not least from a marauding Ricardo Thompson who found himself with just Adams to beat, but a strong hand denying the midfielder.

With critical time running out for the Tanners, the game swung in their favour. Coupled with the introduction of Casuals youngsters, replacing their battle-worn teammates, it was the perfect opportunity to pressure the home side. It had looked as though Casuals would eek out another draw – what would’ve been the sixth in eight games but when a 92nd minute corner was defended only as far as the edge of the box and the resulting return cross was met by Black who nodded home much to the delight of the travelling support.

Despite taking the lead in the game, it didn’t feel like three points dropped, but rather just one after looking like yet another draw. Credit to Leatherhead who didn’t give up looking for a winner and even though the winning goal had both sides chattering as to whether it was offside, sometimes you just need that sprinkling of luck which can kick-start a dramatic survival campaign.

“Look at the team sheet and the side that finished the game for us today,” said James Bracken after the match. “Compare that with the team that was starting for us six to eight weeks ago. You’ll see the amount of changes we’ve had to make.

“We’ve ended up with five under-18s on the pitch along with a few walking wounded struggling to get to the end of the game. The performance in the second half wasn’t good enough. Simple as that. We were just firefighting. Who was going to drop first?

“First half was a rubbish game of football with not much quality in it. But you look at what we’re playing on and how bobbly it is. It’s like playing pinball out here. But we did create three or four really good chances. So it comes back to the point I’ve previously stated that we need to score those. We could’ve been going in at two or three up and in control.

“We let in a disappointing equaliser on our part. I earmarked that their biggest threat would come from set pieces and that Gough, would be their biggest threat. And then we allow him a free header inside the last couple of minutes of the first half.

“We’ve looked at the goals we’ve conceded. Half of them come in the first five minutes, either side of half time or the last knockings. We’ve done exactly the same today.

“Half time, we even went through the details of how to mark someone! I felt it needed doing.

“Losing Elliott, losing Ola, losing Tucker, losing Ollie, losing Jerry… there’s five players off the bat that would get in our strongest team this season. Unfortunately we are where we are at the moment. We don’t have the strength in depth. We put some academy boys out there today and they’ve come and done their best. Brave done some good things and Greenie has tried really hard. I think it’s a wake up call from being a good under-18 player to playing at this level – and they’re very good players! It’s a massive step up to playing Step 3 senior football. Physically, you don’t get any time on the ball. Your decision making is always under scrutiny and hopefully, they’ve learned a lot from it. I hope that’s a positive that comes from today.

“But the bottom line is the team that finished the game on the pitch today isn’t good enough for Step 3 football. That’s the truth. We need some of our other players back very quickly because games coming up won’t get any easier. I look back at the Bognor game on Tuesday, which I thought we deserved more than a draw. Today was a game where if we’d just had a few more senior boys in amongst that, I think we go on and win it.” 

Corinthian-Casuals 2 - 2 Carshalton Athletic
Casuals win 4-2 on penalties
Specsavers Surrey Senior Cup 2nd Round
Thursday 3rd March 2022
Report: Stuart Tree. Pics: Andy Nunn.

A youthful Corinthian-Casuals side defeated an equally young Carshalton Athletic in the Surrey Senior Cup 2nd Round on a evening remembered for being Captain Danny Bracken’s 500th competitive appearance for the club.

They had to do it the hard way, having been pegged back twice to take the game to penalties. But it was fitting that Bracken would make two saves to win the shoot-out by 4 goals to 2… the first win on pens since 2017!

Off the back of an impressive FA Youth Cup run, Manager James Bracken gave debuts to six Academy lads and another two who remain unused on the bench. It was a gamble that paid dividends with the next game less than 48 hours after this tie. Likewise, the Robins also fielded a number of their upcoming youngsters in a testament to both club’s strong youth presence.

Casuals opened the scoring after ten minutes with Mo Diallo firing home from an acute angle. The lead lasted just five minutes with Ore Bello making the most of a counter attack, firing into the far corner.

On the stroke of half-time, Corinth re-gained the lead with a goal on debut for Cameron Beckles, who nodded home from close range from a corner.

Casuals had moments to put the game to bed, not least with Diallo hitting the post amongst other efforts. But Carshalton, who were unlucky not to have an earlier equaliser when Marc Gbaalou-Lida’s shot crashed off the underside of the bar and was cleared, despite appearing to have crossed the line. But Lida made amends with fifteen minutes to go to set up a tense finale.

The tie was decided on penalties with the first Carshalton effort superbly saved by Bracken. He’d follow this up with another stop to give the home side the distinct and clear advantage. Casuals were faultless with Nat Pinney, Cameron Beckles, Elliott Bolton and Misha Djemali scoring – the latter with the winning penalty.

As expressed by a number of neutrals enjoying a rare Thursday evening fixture, the tie was played with gusto in a game that was blessed with end-to-end action.

Casuals will host Kingstonian in the Quarter Final.

“It was a fitting way for my brother to end his 500th appearance with those two saves,” said Manager James Bracken after the win.

“I thought we were the better team over the ninety minutes and we got what we deserved, which is to be in the hat for the next round.

“My brother was disappointed that he didn’t play in the last league game but he’s been put in tonight and his experience was vital. He’s talked throughout, made a couple of saves in the first half and those two big penalty saves at the end. We’ve had a lot of penalty shoot outs over a recent period and he’ll know more than any of us that we haven’t won any. The first penalty is a special, special save. It’s in the corner, not at a good height for a keeper and hit with a lot of pace. To get across with a strong hand and keep it out was a great save.

“If we can go on and do something in this cup, we might look back at tonight with those two saves on his 500th appearance keeping our cup run alive. Hopefully, we can go on and challenge for the cup.

“Pleased with the young lads stepping in. Everyone done well. A couple stood out tonight. These lads, a lot of them are under-18. They’ve got a lot of potential, a lot of talent and have a great attitude about them. They’ve come in tonight and embraced it. They’ve learned a lot in a different environment to what they’re used to and really enjoyed it. Hopefully, that gives them the hunger to kick on for the rest of the season and the rest of their careers because they’ve got talent!”

Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 0 Lewes
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 26th February 2022
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set of pics here)

Corinthian-Casuals bounced back from a midweek 5-0 defeat in the League Cup to stifle playoff hopefuls Lewes in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
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It was Casuals first league clean sheet since November and was welcomed by Manager James Bracken after shipping a number of goals in recent games.

It was a tough ask against high-flying Lewes who had only lost once in eight league games and with Joe Taylor in their line-up, scorer of 25 goals already this season, keeping the Rooks out looked unlikely.

But taking the game to the visitors never allowed them to settle or impose themselves. At the end of ninety minutes, it would be Casuals supporters who felt more aggrieved that they hadn’t won the game.

It was a delight to see former Casual Juevan Spencer back at King George’s too and enjoyed his individual battles with ex-teammate Ben Cheklit all afternoon. Knowing each other’s game so well, it was intriguing who would get the best of each other. It clearly spurred Cheklit on… the winger looked dangerous all afternoon.

Casuals had the better of the chances in the first half with Elliott Bolton firing a rising shot over the bar and the diminutive Emmanual Mensah seeing his back post header brilliantly tipped over by Lewis Carey in goal. The other Emmanuel – Agboola, in goal at the other end was sharp to keep Lewes out on a couple of occasions too.

Casuals pressed and Alfie Bendle’s cross was turned in by Ollie Sitch from close range but deemed offside by the linesman. Kieron Cadogan also fired into the side netting to end the first half goalless.

The theme continued in the second half when Carey saved low to an oncoming Sitch. Casuals turned up the pressure and in the space of two minutes, saw the bar hit twice and another fabulous save by Carey, this time from Captain Jack Strange’s header.

The last few minutes could’ve seen either side win it with Cheklit and Spencer vying for the ball and what appeared a mis-timed challenge on the former, was not penalised due to the winger’s ‘honesty’ of staying on his feet. At the other end, substitute Ollie Tanner fired narrowly wide.

A point a piece and whilst a clean sheet for Casuals was very welcome, especially against the second-best scoring side in the league. But Bracken and his side would feel they should’ve had more.

“It was important that we reacted the way we have,” said James Bracken after the match. “Nothing but credit to the boys today. They were great. I was very forthcoming with giving them criticism on Tuesday and obviously that stuck. They’ve taken it on the chin and responded today with a performance full of quality.

“Games like Tuesday happen. You concede goals at crucial times and it ends up going in a certain direction. The only thing we can do is to make sure our attitude is good going into the next match. If a result like that doesn’t make you angry and it doesn’t fire you up, then you are not cut out for this.

“We’ve hit the woodwork three times, their keeper made a number of good saves and we should’ve had a penalty at the end, but we remain honest and don’t go down under the challenge. Another day, that’s a deserved win.

“I know I beat the drum but we’re a decent side. If teams think they’ll roll over us, they’ll find that they’ll come up short.
“We’ve turned up even more motivated because of the result in midweek. All week, I’ve had people asking me ‘what happened Tuesday?’, like they’re poking me with a stick. The only way to respond is by putting in a good performance and getting a decent result.

“We weren’t prepared to give Lewes easy goals which is what we’ve done in recent games. We’ve been expansive and sometimes too attacking. When you do that, and you don’t score, you’ll lose. That’s the bottom line. Today, I felt we had a much better balance.

“You also need the individuals to go out there and win their personal battles. You look across the back line and the middle of the park and I think we edged all of them. If you go out there and win more than half of your battles across the pitch, then you’re in the game. Then it’s all about taking your chances, which was a little unfortunate that we didn’t today.

“Results follow performances so as long as we stay at that level, then the results will follow.

“We’ll approach Tuesday before we worry about selections for Thursday. Who I pick for Tuesday are far easier after today.”
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Casuals face Haringey Borough on Tuesday and Carshalton Athletic on Thursday, both at home. 

Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 3 Bowers & Pitsea
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 12th February 2022
Report: Stuart Tree. Photos: Andy Nunn. (Full set here)

​Corinthian-Casuals put in their most insipid performance this season as they were convincingly beaten by Bowers and Pitsea at the United Business Group Stadium on Saturday.

A Lewis Manor brace along with a Michael Ademiluyi strike was enough to give the Essex side three vital points on the road as they look to pull away from the drop zone.

Casuals were without a number of players including Emmanuel Mensah who was still suffering from a dead leg in midweek. Nordibek Bobomurodov returned to make his first start for the club as they looked to get back to winning ways following a lack of three points in recent games – albeit against top of the table opposition.

But they got off to the worst start as Bowers took the lead on just six minutes. Manor was on hand to tuck away a Jamie Dicks free kick leaving Casuals defenders scratching their heads.

Corinth never got their engine started, let alone out of first gear as Bowers could’ve – and should’ve been out of sight before half time. Two gilt-edged chances fell to Manor who somehow didn’t add to his early strike. The hosts were also dealt another defensive blow as Jerry Nnamani had to come off thanks to a hamstring pull.

But Casuals weren’t to get away with it as Michael Ademiluyi pounced at the far post from a long throw just before the break to leave Bracken’s side an uphill task.

The home side clearly had a rocket put up their backsides by Bracken as they started much brighter, but a third for Bowers on the break, with Manor tapping in from close range was enough to seal victory. Casuals never truly got going and never really troubled Beaney in the Bowers goal.
 
"As a game of football, that’s the worst I’ve seen all season," said James Bracken after the match. "Credit to Bowers though for coming and doing what they’ve done to us as it worked for them. We’ve shot ourselves in the foot. The goals that we’ve conceded are terrible. To let players have tap ins from four yards unmarked is criminal.

"Lewis Manor has bagged two and we all know what he’s capable of. We prepared for what to expect and to anticipate him winning first balls because he’s very good at that. A player of that ilk is as good as a Cunnington in terms of being a target man. But we’ve switched off too many times.

"I thought we were better in the second half but they’ve scored against the run of play. We had plenty of the ball but we did nothing with it. Our only real good chance in the match came in the 93rd minute. We weren’t good enough. The overall level was not up to the standard I expect.

"Sometimes you get sucked into a game of football that suits one side and their style. I think that’s what has happened against Bowers. I don’t want to be seen as making excuses but the wind and the pitch was better suited for them than it was us. But we needed to do better on the day to combat that.

"We went out there with one or two knocks and a few missing. We have six games in less than two weeks coming up which is shocking. Even for a fully fit squad, that’s a tough ask.

"The bottom line is we’ve conceded three against Bowers, three against Bishops Stortford, three against Margate, three against Bognor and five against Cheshunt before Christmas. That’s certainly not what I want to see. We’ll address that though and look to tighten up once again.

"But we must have a reality check; we shouldn’t really be in this division on our resources. But we’re sitting twelfth in the league. We’re not down the bottom fighting off relegation. We’ve played some of the better sides and got great results. It’s been an enjoyable season for the most part. But we need to dust ourselves down and go again.”

Kingstonian 1 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Isthmian League Premier Division
Wednesday 9th February 2022
Report: Stuart Tree. Photo: Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals and Kingstonian played out a scrappy 1-1 draw on Wednesday night in a result that ultimately benefitted neither club.

An opening first half goal from Daniel Ajakayie was cancelled out nine minutes later by a Peter Ojemen header – his first goal for the Casuals.

Casuals came into the match with squad selection issues having Elliott Bolton missing through Covid and the loss of Ola Williams in defence and Mo Diallo, through a strain, up top. Most notably was Captain Danny Bracken who’s injury continues to keep him out with the returning Manny Agboola back between the sticks.

As typical in so many derby encounters, the exchanges between the sides was nervy and players on both sides took time to settle into the game. It was on 21 minutes before anything of real note happened when Ajakayie pounced on a defensive mistake and slotted home from a neat angle leaving Agboola stranded after he’d attempted to come claim the ball.

But Casuals were level on the half hour mark when Peter Ojemen rose highest of the players to nod home Kieron Cadogan’s cross, with Sanneh unable to keep the ball out of the net.

The second half saw Casuals come out the blocks the better side with the best chance falling to Ricardo Thompson, who looked as though he was caught in two minds when the ball came to him 15 yards out without pressure – the midfielder shanking wide. Ojemen also had another good chance to add to his first half header, this time nodding the ball over.

Though on the front foot, Casuals had lost a key component in their engine with Mani Mensah being replaced at half time with a dead leg and Corinth tired as the half progressed. K’s grew in ascendancy and forced Agboola into action on several occasions. Not least with a fine near-post stop following a Kingston breakaway.

But the match played out without hitting any major high points and both sides will undoubtedly feel that a point is a justified result.

“We’re relatively happy with the point at the end of the game,” said Manager James Bracken after the match. We had boys across our back line who until Saturday, hadn’t played football for three or four weeks. So we knew we might get tired and we lacked a few options, what with injuries and Covid cases.

“However, I thought we played well. I thought we were the better side for the first half. We were on the front foot and had a real idea on how to go about winning the game. But we didn’t find that final ball anywhere near enough, especially from wide areas. I thought that our crossing tonight was poor. Too many were scuffed in across the floor or headed away by the first man. We didn’t have the quality on those like I’d expect us to have. The lads know that though. I don’t need to tell them. I did say to them afterwards that you don’t always get the quality you want to achieve but you then need to show a higher level of work-rate in order not to be beaten. Had we found a bit more quality in those areas, we’d be coming away with a win.

“But it’s another game unbeaten. You look at our results in the match programme and there’s not many ‘red’ losses in there. We’re a match for anyone in this league. Tonight, we we’re perhaps one or two players light from winning that game.

“Bowers and Pitsea on Saturday will be an incredibly difficult game. They were pegged back very late on at Folkestone this week. If a team are capable of being 2-1 up away at Folkestone up until the last kick of the game, then what do we expect other than a hard game?

“I’m sure it’ll be a different style of football from tonight. We expect them to be direct. We’ll expect long throws to come in on us. But we’ll make sure we prepare.”

“We achieved a draw here against Worthing, we lost at Bognor with a disallowed goal that would’ve put us 3-1 up after half time and score three away on Saturday at Stortford to get a positive result. We’ve got another positive result tonight against a side that’s vying for the playoffs. So what we don’t want to do now is have a dip in levels. And to be fair to the boys, they’ve kept the levels up. But I maintain, Saturday will be an incredibly difficult game.”

Bognor Regis Town 3 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Isthmian League Premier Division
Tuesday 1st February 2022
​Report: Stuart Tree. Photos: Andy Nunn (set of photos here)

Corinthian-Casuals Manager James Bracken was left furious with ‘strange decisions’ by the referee as Bognor Regis Town came from behind to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win at Nyewood Lane.

Casuals had led 2-1 at the break and looked to have extended their lead early in the second half but referee Peter Lowe deemed Ollie Sitch to have fouled Amadou Tangara in the build-up. He later went on to over-rule his own judgement on a penalty shout to give Bognor the three points.

Bracken left his side unchanged from the 1-1 draw with Worthing on Saturday including his makeshift defence, as he was still missing his four recognised Centre-Backs. Their performance against the league leaders at the weekend warranted a fair crack once again at holding the line.

But the game got of to a frantic start with Bobby Mills once again living up to his nickname of ‘Lobby’ producing another delicate lob over an oncoming Tangara. Before anyone could breathe, Bognor had equalised. Danny Bracken was forced into a good stop from Jordy Mongoy but Dan Gifford was on hand to tap in the rebound.

The game settled down somewhat after the opening exchanges until 25 minutes in when Tangara upended Ollie Sitch in the box, giving Casuals a golden chance to re-take the lead. Kieron Cadogan made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Then, in Casuals’ eyes, the turning point came immediately after the break. A cross from Ben Cheklit was flapped at by Tangara who’s spilled it to an awaiting Bobby Mills six yards out. However, Referee Peter Lowe deemed there to be a foul on the stopper, rather than him just spilling the ball and even booked Sitch in the process. Video replays emerging since, show that this was mighty soft! VAR huh?

Momentum swung and Casuals dropped off the pace for a spell which allowed Bognor back into the game. Nervous defending saw the Rocks capitalising on errors which led to Finlay Lovatt firing home an equaliser.

Then, on 66 minutes, Hakeem Adelakun was deemed to have brought down Joe Dandy, however the Referee had indicated a corner. Under pressure from Rocks players to speak to his Assistant, he unusually overturned his own decision and awarded a penalty. Despite Bracken getting a hand to the shot, it snuck in off the post and the home side led for the first time courtesy of James Crane.

Casuals pushed for an equaliser yet it just wouldn’t come. Bognor defended resolutely in numbers. The best chance Casuals had was in the last moments when a floated ball into the box saw Tangara come steaming through a group of players, flattening Nat Pinney in the process. Yet a free kick was awarded to the keeper. It had been one of those evenings.

We thank Bognor for their wonderful hospitality and warm welcomes and goodbyes afterwards. The fans are a credit to the league and we look forward to welcoming them for the return fixture on the 15th.

“I’m not pleased with the referee’s performance,” admitted James Bracken after the match.

“I rarely talk about referees. You can look back through the reports to see where I moan about them but they’re poor every week. But I won’t use it as an excuse for anything. We get on with it and I preach that ethos to the players too.

“But tonight, he’s poor. I’ve never known so many strange decisions. The turning point is us going three-one up at the start of the second half, with us on the front foot. It sets the tone for the rest of the match. And to not only disallow the goal but he books Ollie in the process. It’s scandalous.

“Even at the kick-off, Bognor won the toss and chose ends. That makes it our kick-off. But he got that wrong too and gave them the kick-off. We tell him but he refuses to acknowledge the mistake. I’m not being funny, if you can’t work out who’s won the coin toss and who’s kick-off it is, then there’s little hope for the rest of the game.

“The penalty call he’s had a fine view of it and didn’t deem it a foul. The linesman, who’s further away has given it.

“I could rattle on about so many decisions that were erroneous today. Look at the end of the match. We’re chasing the game, We’ve put a ball into a box full of players. The keeper calls it, comes charging out erratically and flattens our centre-forward who’s just standing there. How does he possibly come to the conclusion that it’s a free kick to the goalkeeper? How can that be? It’s got to be a penalty, especially as he hasn’t won the ball. Bottom line, he’s wiped out our player, and the ref has given a free kick to them. If that’s a defender come bowling through your players, it’s a penalty all day.

“He was consistently poor one way. It swung the tide of the game.

“Even at the end, 3-2 down, I fancied us to nick a late one. Considering what they were up against, the boys did great. We had it all to do. Obviously, the 3-1 disallowed goal, he’s got wrong. Too many bad calls at crucial moments of the game. It’s been appalling, quite frankly.

“I don’t feel we’ve been given a fair crack tonight.  

“Our centre-halves will be back over the next week. With the injuries and suspensions we’ve had, we know it’s a squad game and we’ve been getting through these last couple as best as we can. The boys who’ve stepped up have done great. But I also said to them, we’ll have players back Saturday which is good for the group.

“We changed our shape tonight after 15 minutes because I didn’t like the look of the game. I get a gut feeling. Had we left it as it was, would’ve been 4-1 either way at half time. And we didn’t need to make it one of those games. We wanted to add more control to the match and we have – going in 2-1 up at half time. We created plenty of chances and should’ve been 4-1 up at half time. Dan’s made a couple of good saves and you could argue it could be 4-4 – but that’s what he’s there to do… make saves.
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“I did feel we were the better side in the first half and we were a threat. We were getting in behind them and had two or three opportunities where we could’ve pulled it back for someone to smash it home.” 

Margate 3 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 22nd January 2022
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)

10-man Corinthian-Casuals succumbed to a 3-1 reverse at Margate on Saturday in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

A Ken Feyi header fifteen minutes from time was swiftly followed by a red card for Ola Williams in a double blow for the Casuals, leaving them with little chance of a comeback.

Manager James Bracken would’ve felt confident going into this match having lost just once in the previous twelve games and also achieving a 3-1 win over opponents Margate back in November.

However, he was hampered with vital absentees of Jack Strange and Ben Cheklit (injuries) and Peter Ojemen (suspension). In came the experienced Jerry Nnamani for his league debut for the Casuals and Mo Diallo was preferred up top to the benched Bobby Mills.

Casuals had to weather a bright Margate, out of the blocks quicker than their visitors but Corinth soon grew into the contest enjoying good possession even if it wasn’t particularly threatening. The biggest challenge for Margate’s back line was Mani Mensah operating with guile down the right.

The crowd were brought to life on 26 minutes when Gate’s Vance Bola looped a through ball over the Casuals defence for Sam Blackman to latch onto and finish past the advancing Danny Bracken – not the result the captain wanted on his 31st birthday.

As Casuals did against Cray the week before, they looked to get back into the contest before half time and the best chance came on the stroke of the whistle when a Nnamani header was beaten off the line by keeper Billy Johnson.

The fact didn’t matter post team talk as two minutes after the break, a marauding Casuals, with fresh impetus levelled. 16 year old Alfie Bendle’s shot could only be parried back to him before he made no mistake in following up. Casuals were in the ascendancy and continually knocked on the door of Margate’s defence.

But then something strange occurred. That momentum disappeared. Unlike last week, James Bracken had praised the increasing intensity and ‘never give up’ attitude that his side possessed in the last quarter of the match at Cray. But it just as easily disappeared here as the threat diminished.

Despite this, Margate had rarely threatened themselves. A shot into the side netting was as good as it had got for them. But with fifteen minutes remaining, the match would be decided. Gate won a free kick in a wide position, close to the corner flag. Ben Greenhalgh whipped in the cross and Feyi pounced with a free header at the back post to regain the lead.

Things went from bad to worse for Casuals just two minutes later. A scuffle in the middle of the park resulted in a yellow card to Ola Williams for dissent. Not backing down, the defender quickly talked himself into another yellow and was dismissed. Casuals were down to ten.

The final blow was dealt in stoppage time when Greenhalgh converted a penalty to seal the three points for Jay Saunders side.

“The turning point of the match was the red card,” admitted James Bracken after the match. “That was the point where the game became more difficult to get something out of.

 “Up until then, I was pleased with the performance and I thought we were the better team. We found ourselves 2-1 down despite the fact that the second half was pretty much all us on the attack. They’ve scored from a soft set piece, which we need to do better from.

“Straight after that, we’ve had the red card shown and that made life very difficult for us.

“It was a game that just got away from us. Two moments decided the outcome in an otherwise tight game. I was pleased with a lot of the football we played. I believe we had the better of possession and a better tempo about us.

“But we’ve killed ourselves and I’m not going to hide behind anything – we’ve undone ourselves out there. That’s a shame because nine of the players have put in a good, honest shift, playing relatively well. A couple of mad moments and we find ourselves going home with nothing. The players that are responsible, they’re aware that they are. We do win as a team and we do lose as a team, together but you also have to remind lads that they are culpable for their actions. Sadly, a couple of them got it wrong and it’s cost us.

“Obviously, we had no Strangey and no Peter today. So we were missing two of our back three so-to-speak. But we still managed to get that calibre of defence out there. We’ll be okay even if we miss two or three of our key players.

“This is why we have a squad. We’re in a position where we might have 20 players available some weeks. You pick your starting eleven, you pick your best cover on the bench and then you make four difficult phone calls. If and when we get everyone fit, we’ll be in that position and that’s where we’ll want to be. That’s why we have a squad and why the boys must understand why some days they’ll play and other days they’ll have to be patient for an opportunity.

“That’s why they have to perform at their best. Because if you’re not performing then your position will come under threat.

“We’ve lost a game of football today and that happens. But we’ve killed ourselves out there. But we’re a good team. We’ll be the same good team on Tuesday and again on Saturday. We’ll be the same good team we were last Saturday and the Saturday before that and as far back as you’re going to the start of the season.

“I saw a league table that our Vice President, Brian Phillips put together. It was a table minus just the first four games of the season. It lists us level on points with Enfield Town with a game in hand on them. That’s the level we’ve been at since. Bear in mind, our slow start, Potters Bar Town, we were 1-0 up in the second half and two penalties saw us throw it away. 2-0 up at Wingate, drew 2-2. The Kingstonian game we should’ve won, ended up losing 1-0 to a penalty and Folkestone, another 1-0 loss with a second half of us as the better side. Had those games come now, especially the Wingate and Potters Bar games, we’d have seen them out. Another day, we know we’d have at least drawn with K’s. So we could’ve had seven points more from that poor start.

“We look back at every game and think we could’ve won it, probably with the exception of Cheshunt and Bishop’s Stortford. But two games out of 24 we’ve given ourselves a chance to win. But it shows where we are at when we’ve picked up the same amount of points as Enfield and Cheshunt have since the first four games of the season. And everyone praises Cheshunt and Enfield as great sides this season – and we’re right up there with them on points since the start of September. Yet we’ll get no respect. We’ll still be seen as the side who came away lucky with a win, or the opposition had an off day. But we’ve been ‘lucky’ enough to have picked up the same points as Enfield have over that period. So we’ve been ‘very lucky’ so far this season.

“We’re playing well. We have a good team. We have a good way of playing. Our system gives a lot of teams a lot of problems.
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“So we’ll just keep doing it. We’ll try for the win again next week. It’ll be a tough game of course. But we’ve played Worthing three times this season and only lost once. We’re certainly not going to fear anything going into it. We’ll attack the game, hopefully get a good crowd and make life very difficult for them.” 

Cray Wanderers 1 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 15th January 2022
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)
More Photos from Andy Nunn here

Olly Sitch’s 88th minute strike sunk Cray Wanderers hearts as Corinthian-Casuals came from behind to claim all three points in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

The win extends Casuals good form having lost just once in the last twelve outings, notwithstanding penalty shoot-outs.
James Bracken’s much changed side from the midweek London Senior Cup outing was replaced by a more ‘conventional’ looking squad – with the exception of Ben Cheklit, who was missing following a scary bike accident involving a HGV!

The first half played out fairly even with both sides creating no more than the odd chance. Danny Bracken made a couple of well-held stops as Cray edged the best of the efforts. Better in possession, Casuals' Bobby Mills and Olly Sitch had off-target shots to keep the away fan contingent interested.

But with half time looming, the action came in spades. First, Jamie Yila converted Luca Albon’s corner from close range to give the hosts the lead. Cray could’ve doubled it moments later when Kasim Aidoo was bundled over in the box and what looked to be a sure-fire penalty was waved away by the Referee. Casuals capitalised and with the last kick of the half, Olly Sitch pounced to put away his chance, levelling the scores.

The second half continued with most of the momentum in Casuals favour. With twenty minutes remaining, it was all the away side as Cray tired. Sitch had two good chances with his head, but missing the target. The spoils looked like they’d be shared when up popped Sitch once more to latch onto a Kieron Cadogan pass and send the away fans into raptures.

There was just enough time for Cray to muster a response but their best chance was well saved by Bracken diving low to his right. Casuals held on for a closely fought win, though Cray Manager Grant Basey will have plenty of positives to take from his side’s performance as they look to pull away from the danger zone.

“I thought we were really good for the first 25 minutes today,” said James Bracken following the win.

“Our pressure was on point and we created two or three very good chances. But we didn’t hit the target often enough.

“We let them get into the game and we became sloppy. We weren’t good enough. We didn’t find that first pass. We addressed it at half time and we came out and turned it around.

“The substitutes gave us fresh impetus, fresh legs as Cray tired near the end. On the balance of the second half, I think we just edged it enough to get the three points.

“We gave them a lot of respect today because they scored four against Enfield, won against Bowers and only lost narrowly to Bognor in the week. They’re not a million miles away from where they’ll want to be. We know we’d be in for a tough game. They all are in this division. That’s the mindset that we’re trying to instill in the boys.

“We’ll certainly take an 88th minute winner. After a couple of missed chances with headers inside the six yard box, it would’ve been easy enough to lull a little thinking it wasn’t going to be our day. But the boys were relentless. We kept going forward, we kept the pressure up and we kept winning the ball high up the pitch. We looked like we really wanted those three points. And that’s coming from the players on the pitch – not us in the dugout.” 

Corinthian-Casuals 2 - 1 Carshalton Athletic
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 1st January 2022
Report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)
​Additional pics: Andy Nunn (full set here)

Corinthian-Casuals continued their decent run of form into the new year with a hard-working 2-1 win over neighbours Carshalton Athletic.

New Years Day has been kind to Casuals over the years as you’ll have to go back 41 years to find the last loss on the First of January. Having only lost once in the last eight matches, Manager James Bracken must’ve felt confident going into this tie against an always competitive Carshalton side.

Casuals were without ever-present Jack Tucker through having Covid but returning to the squad was Emmanuel Mensah as well as a place on the bench for Mo Diallo – recently signed from Worthing.

It was almost the dream start too, as within the first minute, Bobby Mills found himself bearing down on goal but forced Lloyd Thomas into a crucial save.

It spurred Casuals on and they continued to put the visitors under pressure until they finally cracked halfway through the half. Kieron Cadogan’s quick feet inside the box saw him push his shot past Thomas into the bottom corner.

Corinth were frustratingly pegged back after having the bulk of the play when defender Luke Read expertly headed home following a corner that had failed to be cleared.

But it wasn’t to last long as an excellent cross from Ben Cheklit found the arriving Bobby Mills front and centre to nod home leaving Thomas no chance and sending the bulk of the 507 in attendance into celebration.

Casuals had other chances to go in at the break with a comfortable lead but failed to capitalise on a decent 2-on-2 chance. Therefore, it was no surprise that Carshalton felt they were always still in the contest as they probed Casuals for the bulk of the second half.

Despite large amounts of possession in the home side’s half, the Robins rarely threatened. Keeper Danny Bracken had only one save to make, from Harry Ottaway who’s effort was comfortably retrieved. Debutant Mo Diallo had a shout for a penalty turned down at the other end, with the resulting challenge ending in a yellow card for simulation.

However, Casuals were able to hold onto their first half lead and claim all three points, lifting them above their opponents in the league table.

 “Naturally, we’re pleased with that,” commented James Bracken after the match.

“We hadn’t had a game in two weeks but maybe the break has done us some good. We’ve made sure the boys have kept sharp.

“I had to remind them that we won our last game 4-1 and to keep that momentum going. It’s been good to see us scoring goals too. In our dry spell, we’d been creating the chances, but just not finishing them. I thought today, we should’ve had another two at least.

“We’ve been creating those chances all season but now, at the top end, we’re reaping the rewards.

“I look at Ollie Sitch scoring two last week and Bobby and Kieron chipping in this week. That’s the way it needs to be. We need to get our midfield and our centre-halves to be doing the same too.

“If we can share the goals around, then we don’t need to rely on just one player to do all the legwork. I feel we’re in a position where we do have goals in us and we’re defending well. It’s nice to see that we don’t have to change much and we’re there or thereabouts. We feel that if we play well, we’ll win.”