Guernsey 0 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League South
Sunday 10th September 2017
Match report: Stuart Tree​

Corinthian-Casuals saw several gilt-edged chances go begging before Jerson Dos Santos finally bagged up the three points ready for the luggage hold back to Gatwick as they ran out 1-0 winners at Guernsey.
​
It’s not every day that you write a match report on a Bostik League fixture after watching the game on the big screen in a pub, some 300 miles from the venue. But the logistics of flying to the Channel Islands on a Sunday at fairly short notice meant that for all supporters, the hefty price of a return ticket wasn’t worth it for 90 minutes of football.

Step in the fine work of GFCTV. Utilising their streaming service, viewers around the world can tune into any Guernsey game live. Thanks to website maintenance issues, the game was broadcast live via Facebook and using Casuals’ fan Neil Collins' mobile phone, hooked up to the TV, those at the Cricketers pub in Chessington were able to choose between the Burnley vs Palace game in one corner or Guernsey vs Casuals in the other. Perhaps out of intrigue, the vast majority of the pub snubbed the Premier League for the Bostik League.

Even birthday boy, Jamie Byatt, who wasn’t on the plane having scored for the reserves the day before tweeted a photo of his lounge as he tuned in to cheer on his fellow teammates. Dave Hodges replacing Byatt from the previous match and thus, his seat on the plane also taken. Reyon Dillon also missed his first flight to the island serving a one match suspension from the red card issued at Ashford Town.

Writing the report after watching in the warmth of the pub, pint in hand and crisps on the table seemed to be the winning choice looking at the weather at Footes Lane. Blustery winds and persistent rain made for uncomfortable viewing if sat on a stool pitchside trying to photograph the action. Thankfully, Guernsey have very dedicated photographers who’d capture all the action whilst I admired from my bar stool, choosing another chicken drumstick over mini sausage roll at the complimentary buffet.

Burnley had opened the scoring against hapless Palace after four minutes and Max Oldham almost matched his professional counterpart when he found himself bearing down on goal in the opening stages. Oldham denied by AFC Bournemouth loanee Callum Stanton in what would prove to be a recurring theme as the afternoon progressed.

Casuals had the better of the play throughout the contest – no question. The key would be if they could break the deadlock early or would their hosts frustrate? Considering both Jack Strange and Mu Maan could only direct their free headers over the bar, it looked to be the latter.

The afternoon soon turned into a game of ‘who could miss the easiest chance?’ Gabriel Odunaike staked his claim when Maan’s precision pass found the forward but dragged his shot with just Stanton to beat.

The second half was much of the same. Plenty of good possession and territory without turning it into goals. Stanton saved brilliantly from Jerson Dos Santos who lashed a shot from well within the box but somehow the young stopper instinctively stuck out an arm and deflected the ball away to safety.

Time ticked on and thankfully, with eight minutes of the ninety left, Dos Santos broke the deadlock. Lashing a shot from the left, it looked to have taken a deflection and out of the reach of Stanton. The pub erupted in scenes reminiscent of World Cups gone by. Residents of Clayton Road must’ve wondered who this ‘Dos Santos’ was, as well as James Bracken, who’s face adorned the front of the pub on an oversized flag.

Casuals held on for the win, despite a heart-in-mouth moment at the end via Gauvain’s effort but the biggest groan of the ninety minutes came when the ‘battery low’ message on the phone interrupted the stream. Casuals had relatively, comfortably deserved the three points. Now all that was left to navigate was the Force 8 gales whipping across the runway at Guernsey’s airport.

Guernsey 1 – 4 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Wednesday 15th February 2017
Match Report: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals left the Channel Island of Guernsey with a comprehensive 4-1 victory and three points in the luggage hold to reclaim a playoff spot in the Ryman League Division One South.

Thanks to a combination of super strikes and goalkeeping mishaps, the scoreline was emphatic. However, the run of play suggested that the game could’ve been a little less harsh on the hosts.

Travelling without key players in Josh Uzun, Jamie Byatt, Josh Gallagher and Maz Bettache, James Bracken was still able to call upon a strong line-up bolstered by the new signing of top marksman Dan Summers.

The original fixture, back on December 30th was postponed due to fog at Gatwick, leaving Casuals with a six hour wait at the airport. Thankfully, clearer skies didn’t hamper their journey although hearts were in mouths just 30 seconds into the match when half of the Footes Lane floodlights failed. Following a brief discussion, the officials concluded the light was sufficient to continue and the game could be played to a conclusion.

The youthful Green Lions started brightly and Danny Bracken had to be alert to the danger of Paris Pereria, saving at the striker’s feet.

But it only took quarter of an hour for Casuals to take the lead. Shaun Okojie latched onto a Jordan Clarke cross and his header found the target on Corinth’s first meaningful attack.

Twelve minutes later and the scoreline was doubled in calamitous fashion. Young keeper, Josh Addison completely misjudged a speculative long ball into the box from Juevan Spencer. The lofted pass sailed over his head and into an empty net, gifting the visitors a memento worth more to the Casuals than anything sold in the island’s souvenir shops.

Truth be told, it was a fairly lacklustre first half with minimal chances for either side. Summers came closest to adding a third when he latched onto a ball over the top, knocked his strike past Addison but cleared off the line. Guernsey had a handball shout turned down on the stroke of half time.

Casuals had to soak up some pressure from their hosts in the early stages of the second half but once again, fifteen minutes in and Addison gifted Casuals a third. An innocuous goal kick was miss-hit straight to Okojie who ran on and slotted into an empty net, leaving the out-of-position keeper grabbing thin air.

Two minutes later and Guernsey were in danger of being on the receiving end of a rout. Mu Maan picked up the ball from 25 yards out and smashed a shot into the top corner for what was the pick of the goals.

Realistically, with only pride to play for, Guernsey came out of their shell and imposed themselves on the game with more determination. Bracken, relatively quiet in the match, had to be alert to save low from Robbie Legg. Guernsey’s efforts paid off on 77 minutes when Matt Loaring converted a pass in the box, taking a touch and slotting past Bracken who could do nothing to prevent the strike.
​
Casuals pushed forward again and substitute Max Oldham had two very good chances to equal the take Corinth’s goal tally to ten against Guernsey this season. Alas, the winger was unable to convert the chances, though Manager James Bracken won’t be too disappointed as he left the Island three points and plus three goal difference better off.

Corinthian-Casuals 5 - 2 Guernsey
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 6th September 2016
Report by Cameron Smith. Pic: Stuart Tree

The new-look Corinthian Casuals side comfortably ran out 5-2 winners as struggling Guernsey FC were defeated on a warm summer evening at King George’s.

“Some of the boys who have been waiting will get opportunities and others will have to realise that, whilst I'm a fair man, I'm also here to deliver performances to a good level on a consistent basis” were the words of James Bracken after the disappointing 3-2 loss in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Casuals boss stuck to his word as there were four new faces in the starting line-up. Also, former-Casuals man Mahrez Bettache returned to Tolworth after a season at Hendon FC and was on the substitutes bench.

The customary back-four were changed as centre-half Jack Strange started for the first time ahead of Danny Dudley whilst Warren Morgan sat out for midfielder Niall Wright to shift into right-back. Suspended, Jordan Clarke was replaced by Juevan Spencer on the wing and Ben Cheklit also started his first game, playing instead of Brandon Johnson.

A rough start to the season, Guernsey travelled to South London without a win, hovering just out of the relegation zone. Their last match was the 2-2 stalemate against Chatham Town, their third draw of the campaign in which former-player Matt Le Tissier attended.

Corinth started the game strongly, knocking the ball around the pristine King George’s field with a desire to continue their unbeaten run in the league. Early half-chances slowly eased Casuals into the game and in the twenty-eighth minute, an unlikely source struck gold. A chaotic goalmouth scramble was eventually poked home by the foot of debutant Jack Strange, who opened the scoring.

Moments after, Josh Gallagher was given space to run forwards and release a fierce thunderbolt towards goal. Narrowly missing the net, the effort crashed onto the post as sounds of disbelief echoed around the ground. Exploiting the left side, Jamie Byatt used his speed to find space and cross for Shaun Okojie at the back post who smoothly chested the ball in the net from a yard out to double Corinth’s lead.

Hoping to put the game to bed, the hosts searched for a third. A mix up just inside the area saw Okojie find an inch of space before firing past Guernsey’s Josh Addison right on the 45th minute. Then, the referee blew for half-time with Corinth leading by three goals.

At the start of the second half Juevan Spencer latched onto a terrific long ball, controlling before sending a pin-point cross for the rushing Gallagher to nod into the gloves of the shot-stopper, who parried away, keeping out a fourth. The Green Lions had their first real chance of the game as Matt Loaring was denied by the strong hands of Bracken. Corinth’s domination was restored as Byatt was close to writing his name on the score-sheet but the header was saved by Addison. Then, the elusive fourth goal was captured as Josh Uzun curled a marvellous shot into the top corner as the keeper stood still, unable to compute what had flown past him.

The lead-up matched the finish as a heavenly cluster of one-touch play found Uzun who did the rest. The short injection of jubilance soon faded as Byatt slid in on a Guernsey player which resulted in a penalty for the visitors. Ross Allen netted as Guernsey restored a glimpse of pride. Minutes later, Allen scored again as the no.10 notched his second of the game, reacting first in the area. Substitute Brandon Johnson finished the game with a magnificent curling shot which nestled into the far top corner of the net after a Niall Wright set-up. The game ended in a remarkable 5-2 win.

Corinth were in a celebratory mood as they are a point behind league leaders Tooting, with a game in hand. The islanders dropped into the bottom three with another trip to London to face Carshalton Athletic on Saturday. James Bracken’s pink and brown army will play Hythe Town next in their fourth home game on the trot.

"We wanted to get back to winning ways immediately after Saturday’s loss in the FA Cup, and that was the perfect response." said Bracken after the match.

"I made the few changes that I vowed I would and the boys that come into the side performed fantastically. Overall, everyone did well out there. When I look back on the game, we played some lovely football, scored some sublime goals and I’m sure everyone that come and watch the game appreciated the football that we played. All in all, we have to be happy with that.

"When you’re four-nil up, it’s easy to have a couple of lapses in concentration. ‘Busy’ went to the floor in the box and he won the ball but probably just needed to stay on his feet to prevent the referee having to make a decision. The linesman was in a far better place to see it and he gave nothing but with the game at 4-0, referees give those. If that challenge is made at 0-0, he probably doesn’t give them and we see it out comfortably.

"But it’s not as though they’ve peppered our goal. Dan didn’t have to make any great saves so ultimately it just became a couple of consolation goals for them.

"I was pleased with Jack Strange making his first start – more for the whole performance and not just for the goal. He was superb, especially for an 18 year old starting his first game here. I said to both, Dan Pringle and Joe Davies that Jack would score tonight. I thought it’d be a header as he attacks the ball so well. However, it was a horrible scrambled goal but it was great to see that we had someone in there with the desire to force it over the line rather than wait for someone else to do it.

"It’s a very welcome return for Maz (Mahrez Bettache) to Casuals too. He was certainly one player that I didn’t want to leave when I took over here at the beginning of last year, but he’d already agreed to join Hendon in the league above. That’s fantastic for him and it’s helped gain good experience in a higher division.

"He’s come off the bench tonight and played half an hour and at the end, he’s had a massive smile on his face, saying that ‘he loved it out there’. You could just see the lad enjoyed playing good football. That’s our aim. If we can get everyone enjoying their playing, then we’ll get the best out of them all."

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 Guernsey
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 9th February 2016
Attendance: 142
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (match pics here)

​Emmanuel Akokhia ended his three month goal drought to give Corinthian-Casuals a 1-0 win over Guernsey in the Ryman League Division One South.
 
The win completes the double over the Islanders and puts Corinthian-Casuals back in the playoff race, gaining ground on their opponents who sit in fifth place.
 
Casuals made just one change to their starting line up with Kevant Serbony in for the absent Shaun Okojie. It’s well documented that Guernsey have slim pickings from their squad when travelling to the mainland in midweek and this was again confirmed with the Green Lions naming just two substitutes, one of which was a 16 year old debutant.
 
Corinth started the livelier of the sides and soon had the ever reliable Chris Tardif working hard in goal. Juevan Spencer forced an excellent stop from close range and Josh Uzun fired in a free kick straight into the keeper’s midriff.
 
With twelve minutes on the clock, Casuals took the lead. Niall Wright fired in a cross and Emmanuel Akokhia beat Tardif to the ball, placing it into the net, much to the delight of the home crowd. Guernsey players vehemently protested, claiming the striker had used his hand to help guide the ball home but the goal stood. Tardif was cautioned in the resulting protests.
 
Corinth almost made it two when Kevant Serbony used his quick feet to dance past the Lion’s defence along the byline and shooting from a tight angle. Glyn Dyer was on hand to block the shot off the line.
 
Guernsey always look a threat going forward and unsurprising with the 200 plus goal machine that is Ross Allen in their side. Allen charged down a ball and ends in Craig Young’s path but ended up thwarted by Danny Bracken, who seemed to relish the occasion of contesting ‘best keeper in the Ryman South’ with Tardif.
 
Corinth continued to look lively and threatened with each surge up-field. Morgan’s pace and Dave Hodges usual high standard of wing play caused problems in the flanks. From a more direct approach, Serbony’s 25 yard effort was well scooped up by Tardif down low. Casuals’ movement looked back to its best and threats came from all sources. Most unlikely was Danny Dudley who surged onto a through ball and found himself with only Tardif to beat. However, the Guernsey custodian was able to match the defender’s shot.
 
At the other end, Craig Young found space in the box and curled a beauty of a shot which narrowly passed Bracken’s left hand post.
 
Guernsey did have the ball in the back of the net. However, the linesman’s flag was raised for an infringement in the build-up. At this point, the visitors started to wonder if anything would go for them on this evening.
 
In what was an open game, chances came thick and fast at both ends with each keeper matching the other for saves.
 
Corinth looked to put the game out of sight and had the visitors on the back foot. However, as the second half progressed, the goal tally hadn’t and nervous thoughts of recent late goals conceded crossed the minds of many of the 142 in attendance. Niall Wright and Akokhia almost alleviated the pressure after the former’s exquisite turn and shot found the latter who poked in from close range but was deemed to be in an offside position. Juevan Spencer also went close from a great chance but couldn't keep the high ball down and sailed just over Tardif's crossbar.

In the dying minutes Guernsey should’ve equalised. Allen found himself through on goal and with just Bracken to beat, was matched by the Corinth Captain who made an outstanding reaction save to deny the Islanders a share of the points.

The result puts Casuals up to eighth in the league table with the playoffs in clear sight.
 
After the match, Manager James Bracken gave his thoughts.
 
“We’ve not really made a big fuss about it but we’ve lost just one league game since the 18th November. That’s nearly three months and whilst we’ve not been winning, we’ve not been losing either.
 
“We’ve become resilient and hard to beat. Yes – we’ve let in a few last goals recently and lost too many points from winning positions. But we’re still there and we’re still together and we’ll continue to go for it.
 
“We’ve moved up a few places in the table tonight. Win on Saturday and one next week and we’ll be right up in there where others will take us seriously again.
 
“The lads played fantastic tonight. We had a real purple patch midway through the first half and again at the start of the second half. The first twenty minutes after the restart, I thought we were outstanding and we did everything but kill the game off.
 
“At 1-0 it’s always a dangerous game, especially when you let late goals in as we have. You worry a bit at that point. We should’ve converted the pressure into a two goal lead. We had chances but just lacked a little bit of composure when finishing.
 
“Saying that, we’ve dug in and shown that resilience, which we do in most games but there’s been no lucky goals go against us and we’ve been able to see it out.
 
“Danny Bracken was fantastic today. I know we’re brothers and so I don’t speak about him too much. I let him get on with his job and I don’t batter him at home about it. We’re brothers and when we come here, it’s about the football and when we go home, we’re back to being brothers.
 
“He pulled off a save towards the end where we had one lapse of concentration and gifted them a chance. You’d have put your house on Ross Allen scoring there and you’re already thinking ‘it’s another late goal’ and I’m ready to go mad. But Danny did what he’s there to do and pulled off an absolute worldy of a save.
 
“He’s been playing well. It’s just understated because he’s not been under as much pressure as he has in previous seasons. He only needs to pull off one or two good saves during a game now whereas before, he’s had to pull out eight or nine great stops.
 
“He’s still the quality keeper we know he is – probably even more so than when you’re not under pressure for ninety minutes where your concentration can waver.
 
“Speaking about Emmanuel Akokhia and ending his personal goal drought, Bracken said, “As I’ve said recently, there was a lot of pressure put on Mani’s shoulders, both from within the group and probably within himself. He slightly changed his game, doing slightly different things that ultimately weren’t working. He found himself on the bench, playing on the wing… where we’ve been trying to coach him back. I’ve just seen little glimpses in the last couple of weeks… little signs that makes me think now might be the right time to put him back in and see how he does.

“He looked sharp tonight. He scored a goal, another one where he was ruled offside but he was very alert for him to get onto the end of the ball. He became another threat for us.
 
“We’ve bought James Cottee back in now and that adds to Stef (Joseph) and Shaun (Okojie) so we have plenty of attacking options and I’m pleased with what we have.”

Guernsey 2-4  Corinthian-Casuals 
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 19th September 2015
Att: 745
Report by Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree

It was third time lucky for Casuals as they left Footes Lane with 3 points for the first time after a wonderfully crafted second half display.

Even before Jason Dodd was dismissed for the home side on the stroke of half time, the visitors had already more than proved their worth and ultimately became one of the few sides ever to breach Chris Tardif's net on several occasions on home territory.

The Green Lions started positively and attacked from the first whistle with Mark McGrath advancing on the back post but completely missing his attempted volley.

Casuals first chance came in the 7th minute when Sekou Kaba powerfully met Josh Uzun's corner but headed well over.

The home defence nearly paid the price for failing to clear their lines when after good pressure from Casuals Kaba knocked the ball into the path of Juevan Spencer. With just Tardif to beat, the winger opened his body but fired weakly at the keeper when he should have really scored.

The opening stages saw the game very much end to end and in the 15th minute from a free kick out wide Ross Allen rose to glance his header off the crossbar.

Casuals continued to press forward and in the 20th minute Brandon Johnson and Josh Uzun worked the ball well out to Cherno Mendy who saw his shot deflected over by James Dodd. Left back Dodd had earlier been cautioned for pulling back Warren Morgan.

Casuals right back Morgan  in a fine run of form was contributing at both ends and another lung busting run set up Mendy who again fired over. Morgan took matters into his own hands shortly afterwards electing to shoot after striding forward and his shot taking a deflection of Tom Strawbridge before being superbly kept out of his near post by Tardif.

On 34 minutes after clearing a Guernsey corner, the visitors broke and Kaba clipped the ball into the path of Emmanuel who checked in before firing narrowly over. In spite of the pressure and chances the home side once again hit the woodwork as Dodd smacked the post from a training ground corner routine. The ball rebounding off the outside of the upright.

Craig Young headed wide for the hosts before Casuals created and missed another glorious chance. Tardif, attempting to play out from the back, saw his pass cut out by Kaba and after driving into the box and cutting back he saw Josh Uzun slice wide with the goal at his mercy.

With the whistle approaching Casuals were handed a real boost when Dodd upended Mendy and received his marching orders for 2 bookable offences.

It seemed a surprise to many when the home side moved to a 3 at the back for the second half especially as all the warning signs were from the flanks in the first period. Even so, it looked to be an attacking move as Ross Allen saw an early half chance charged down for a corner by Morgan.

It took only 5 minutes for Casuals to make the advantage count as Emmanuel Akokhia opened the scoring with a low shot into Tardif’s bottom corner from the right hand edge of the area.

One soon became two in as many minutes as Johnson’s ball forward saw Akokhia in between the back 3 and his half volley squirmed under Tariff and the lead was doubled.(pictured below)

A ten minute hat-trick was nearly achieved as the Casuals leading scorer rose above Strawbridge to meet Dave Hodges left wing cross but his header looped just wide.

The home side had no answer to their opponents pressing and pace on the counter. Mendy was next to test Tardif after having the ball worked to him but his effort deflected into the arms of the grateful keeper.

Matt Reece replaced the two goal Akokhia and with his first touch, was denied by Tardif when through on goal in the 72nd minute... the keeper staying big to tip the effort over.

A 3rd goal to wrap up the match came in the 80th minute and again was a result of neat passing on the counter. Josh Uzun who had a fine afternoon sending in a low cross to Niall Wright who rolled out to Spencer. Despite being a much harder opportunity than his first half effort Juevan curled home magnificently past the home custodian.

The chances continued to come with Morgan flashing a shot wide whilst the introduction of Glyn Dyer for the Green Lions gave them an outlet for the first time in the half. Ross Allen nearly benefiting when muscling in on goal but sending a shot wide.

With 6 minutes remaining the hosts pulled a goal back when Matt Loaring arrived before the diving Bracken to bundle home after the ball was returned following a shot spell on pressure instigated by Dyer.

Reece was twice played through by fellow substitute Wright but having been first denied by his own touch and then the imposing Tardif he rifled home the hardest chance of the lot with a sizzling left footed drive into the top corner from 12 yards to make it 4-1 in injury time.

Spencer was next to be clean through but this time side footed wide whilst the hosts pulled another back with literally the last kick of the match after Ross Allen dispatched a spot kick having himself been fouled in the box.

Boss James Bracken reflected on how high the goal tally could’ve been.

“We know it could have been a lot, lot more, but to come here and win 4-2 – if you’d have told me before the match that’s what we’ll get, I’d have snapped your hand off and go home with a big smile on my face like we have.

“It could have been more, not with just half chances, but with absolute clear-cut chances… one-on-ones… great saves by their keeper. Realistically, if we’d have won by seven or eight today, you wouldn’t have really argued.

Bracken commented on whether they changed plan after the dismissal of Guernsey’s Dodd. 

“Not really. We were creating chances against them before they went down to ten men and I felt we were quite comfortable dealing with them before the sending off. So we didn’t change our game plan. We weren’t going to push the panic button, go all-out attack on them and have the chance of being caught on the break. So we kept it the same with the exception of getting our wingers to get a little wider and stretch them and it worked.”

Guernsey vs Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 10th January 2015
Final score: 3-0
Report by Darren Pasley

Casuals got their 2015 league campaign off to rocky start as they went down by three goals at a wet and windy Footes Lane on Saturday.

Postponements had made this game Casuals first since the 4-0 drubbing of Horsham and following the 2-0 win over Bromley in mid-week Carl Wilson-Denis and Lee Hall returned.

The home side made their attacking intents known from the off and Danny Bracken has forced down into an early save following a long throw.

Matt Loaring who was to prove a real thorn in Casuals backline all afternoon made early inroads into the area after turning Danny Dudley saw his cross to the back post scrambled clear by Lee Hall.

Danny Dudley came to Casuals rescue in the 7th minute when a long punt forward saw Marc McGrath take advantage of the wet conditions. With the ball not reaching a stranded Bracken on the edge of the area the strikers goalbound effort was blocked on the line by the Casuals centre back. Dave Rihoy on the follow up was also thwarted by the flying Dudley who made another magnificent block.

Loaring had the next effort moments later but his shot from outside the area was smothered by Bracken

Even at this early stage the game had a lovely ebb and flow to it and Casuals made their first foray into opposition half. Dave Hodges and Jamie Byatt combining well with the former volleying across the box with Carl Wilson-Denis just unable to connect.

This was to spark a period for Casuals where they dictated the tempo and Tardiff had to be alert as he came sliding out to deny the approaching Byatt following Hall’s defence splitting pass.

On 18 minutes the games best chance arrived and in the grand scheme of things proved a pivotal moment. Jamie Byatt down the left beat Liam Mahon and his low cross was met by the sliding Wilson-Denis. Despite being central and 6 yards from goal Chris Tardiff made a magnificent block with his legs and after Hodges headed over the returning cross the home side had averted the danger

Loaring continued to be a livewire around the box and he chipped in McGrath who shot weakly at Bracken when well placed.

Casuals had a shout for a penalty on 34 minutes as Wilson-Denis appeared to be shoved whilst attempting to connect to Byatt’s corner. Referee David Spain emphatically waved the appeals away

The remaining 5 minutes of the half saw the home side apply serious pressure, which it appeared Casuals had withstood.

On 41 minutes McGrath was denied by the covering Hall after being played in by Jamie Dodd.

From the resulting corner Bracken fumbled the initial cross but reacted superbly to block De La Mare’s fierce shot which came through a crowd of players.

Casuals broke downfield and Hodges was played in but saw his volley blocked by the imposing Tardiff. From the follow up Mahon blocked superbly to deny Byatt in what was becoming a thrilling end to the half.

Just as Casuals thought they had earned a half time break on level terms the home side struck.

After not dealing with a corner Matt Loaring reacted first to Dodd’s knock down and guided the ball past Bracken for the games opening goal.

After fishing the half strongly the Green Lions attempted to resume their stance for the second half. On 54 minutes Loaring again crafted another opportunity this time for Dave Rihoy who found Bracken equal to his low effort from just inside the area.

Loaring and Rihoy continued to torment the visitors and the roles were reversed when Rihoy this time found his team mate but after Bracken blocked the initial effort Danny Dudley was on hand to clear off the line from the rebound.

Casual’s first effort of the half nearly produced the equaliser but after Hodges had been played in by Byatt his right-footed swinger was headed off the line by Dodd with Tardiff beaten.

Dominic Heaume came close to doubling the lead as a cross wasn’t headed clear but from 12 yards out he blazed well over. It mattered little however as a minute later Rihoy sprung the offside trap and rounded Bracken to tap in the home sides second with 63 minutes gone.

The visitors response was immediate and substitute Juevan Spencer’s right wing cross saw Dave Hodges have a powerful header deflected away by the legs of  his marker Tom Strawbridge.

With Casuals pushing forward more gaps appeared for the home side to exploit. Goal machine Ross Allen came close to a third when after skipping past Joe Hicks he was denied by the outstretched legs of Bracken. At the other end Casuals continued to work down the flanks but throughout the afternoon found the home side determined to hang onto the clean sheet.

Marc McGrath was twice denied as the game neared its conclusion. Firstly thwarted by Bracken before hitting the bar after being presented with the ball following Lee Hall’s slip.

A 3rd goal did eventually arrive in the 5th minute of stoppage time when Ross Allen delivered a cross from the right for fellow sub Ryan Zico-Black to head home.

Speaking after the match Matt Howard commented

“Although it was 3-0, I don’t think we played that bad. Our striker, Cisse (Bamoussa) has let us down massively today by not turning up for the flight. But do I think it was a 3-0 game… no, I don’t.

“Danny Bracken in goal was superb. We could’ve and should’ve gone 2-0 up. But we’ve lost because we haven’t defended well enough and attacking wise, we were very poor. We clearly weren’t good enough in the final third of the pitch and it cost us the game.

“I’m not concerned that players are perhaps thinking ahead to the tour to Brazil. Joe Hicks was complaining before the game and at half time about his hamstring, but he got through ninety minutes without cause for concern.

“In fact, if players pull out of tackles, that’s when they’re going to get hurt… and hurt big-time. So, I don’t think it’s even entered the player’s heads. I’ve seen no real signs that it has.

“The tour next week can be used to our advantage. We go away in what is a mid-season break and re-charge the batteries a little bit. I know we’ll be working like mad over there, but everyone is looking forward to it. And then we resume normal service; the league is the most important thing and very much our priority.”

Stuart Tree's photos can be seen 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.”