Corinthian-Casuals 0-3 St. Albans City
Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay
Saturday 6th October 2018
Report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Andy Nunn (full set here)
Corinthian-Casuals’ ecstasy from a late equaliser on Tuesday night in the Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round was flushed away by both the treacherous weather and St Albans City’s clinical 3-0 replay victory at the neutral Imber Court.
When a cross from Josh Uzun deflected off a yellow shirt and made its way into the net at Clarence Park, it was a deserved leveller in the 85th minute; Casuals finally allowed the pink and brown army behind the goal to celebrate. Spirited, composed and attacking throughout, Bracken was just as pleased as the supporters after the cup tie- “proper football team with a proper game plan” was his beaming verdict on the performance.
Cancelling a trip to Bognor Regis on the Saturday, Casuals had to schedule in the replay on the following Saturday. Ground-sharing with Kingstonian meant that King George’s was busy on the 6th, so the FA told the Tolworth-based side to find another venue. Met Police’s Imber Court was free, so spectators were told to alter their routes to East Molesey on a ridiculously soggy afternoon. The valiant rain never ceased as both sets of supporters battled the elements to watch their teams.
Only one change to the hosts as Danny Cunningham’s night was cut short on Tuesday with an injury as Warren Mfula took his place. Mfula retained his position for the replay. Perhaps it was the psychological issue surrounding the change of grounds, or the horrific weather that had produced puddles across Imber Court’s surface, but Casuals were on the back foot constantly inside the first 14 minutes. In the 10th, Ralston Gabriel scored for St Albans and instantly warmed up the Saints’ support behind the goal whilst Casuals were left in the cold and wet. It was far from a beautiful goal but it was deserved as the visitors managed to draw first blood, just like on Tuesday night. Stunned by the precise finishing and efficiency of St Albans in these conditions, Corinth let their guard down again to concede another cross where Gabriel was there again to smash home. A real shame to let in two scrappy goals, Casuals looked for redemption in the remainder of the half. Decent midfield link-up produced opportunities here and there, but nothing to get the crowd excited about. Mu Maan hammered a free-kick into the wall whilst Mfula wiggled his way past yellow shirts on multiple occasions, but could not grab the all-important goal. Many considered Warren Morgan lucky to stay on the pitch after a frantic yet passionate couple of tackles in the first 45 too. At half-time, it was 2-0 to the travelling St Albans.
Much like the rain, the Saints lashed attack after attack for a solid twenty-five minute period. Spirit and passion was undisputed from the Casuals eleven, and the defence did well to keep it at two. The best chance of the match for the home side was fleeting moment of genius from Gabriel Odunaike on the right flank, who received the ball in a quick counter attacking move and whipped in a wonderful cross for the incoming Mfula. It was crossed with superb pace and no.9 Mfula did well to even connect with it as it beat the keeper but bounced agonisingly off the outside of the post. It was a head-in-hands moment as Casuals’ best chance nearly caused a dramatic fight-back. Minutes later, Dave Diedhiou outjumped Jack Strange to power home a third for St Albans. It was albeit over with eleven minutes to go. Odunaike sped through on goal in a 1on1 situation but summed up Casuals’ performance with a shot that wasn’t too far off the target, but wasn’t too near either.
We wish St Albans luck for the rest of their FA Cup journey- they face a daunting trip to Taunton on Wednesday. For the Casuals, it was a 3-0 result with much to learn from, despite a good attacking display towards the end in the unforgiving rain. Next up is Whitehawk at home (King George’s this time) on Tuesday.
Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay
Saturday 6th October 2018
Report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Andy Nunn (full set here)
Corinthian-Casuals’ ecstasy from a late equaliser on Tuesday night in the Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round was flushed away by both the treacherous weather and St Albans City’s clinical 3-0 replay victory at the neutral Imber Court.
When a cross from Josh Uzun deflected off a yellow shirt and made its way into the net at Clarence Park, it was a deserved leveller in the 85th minute; Casuals finally allowed the pink and brown army behind the goal to celebrate. Spirited, composed and attacking throughout, Bracken was just as pleased as the supporters after the cup tie- “proper football team with a proper game plan” was his beaming verdict on the performance.
Cancelling a trip to Bognor Regis on the Saturday, Casuals had to schedule in the replay on the following Saturday. Ground-sharing with Kingstonian meant that King George’s was busy on the 6th, so the FA told the Tolworth-based side to find another venue. Met Police’s Imber Court was free, so spectators were told to alter their routes to East Molesey on a ridiculously soggy afternoon. The valiant rain never ceased as both sets of supporters battled the elements to watch their teams.
Only one change to the hosts as Danny Cunningham’s night was cut short on Tuesday with an injury as Warren Mfula took his place. Mfula retained his position for the replay. Perhaps it was the psychological issue surrounding the change of grounds, or the horrific weather that had produced puddles across Imber Court’s surface, but Casuals were on the back foot constantly inside the first 14 minutes. In the 10th, Ralston Gabriel scored for St Albans and instantly warmed up the Saints’ support behind the goal whilst Casuals were left in the cold and wet. It was far from a beautiful goal but it was deserved as the visitors managed to draw first blood, just like on Tuesday night. Stunned by the precise finishing and efficiency of St Albans in these conditions, Corinth let their guard down again to concede another cross where Gabriel was there again to smash home. A real shame to let in two scrappy goals, Casuals looked for redemption in the remainder of the half. Decent midfield link-up produced opportunities here and there, but nothing to get the crowd excited about. Mu Maan hammered a free-kick into the wall whilst Mfula wiggled his way past yellow shirts on multiple occasions, but could not grab the all-important goal. Many considered Warren Morgan lucky to stay on the pitch after a frantic yet passionate couple of tackles in the first 45 too. At half-time, it was 2-0 to the travelling St Albans.
Much like the rain, the Saints lashed attack after attack for a solid twenty-five minute period. Spirit and passion was undisputed from the Casuals eleven, and the defence did well to keep it at two. The best chance of the match for the home side was fleeting moment of genius from Gabriel Odunaike on the right flank, who received the ball in a quick counter attacking move and whipped in a wonderful cross for the incoming Mfula. It was crossed with superb pace and no.9 Mfula did well to even connect with it as it beat the keeper but bounced agonisingly off the outside of the post. It was a head-in-hands moment as Casuals’ best chance nearly caused a dramatic fight-back. Minutes later, Dave Diedhiou outjumped Jack Strange to power home a third for St Albans. It was albeit over with eleven minutes to go. Odunaike sped through on goal in a 1on1 situation but summed up Casuals’ performance with a shot that wasn’t too far off the target, but wasn’t too near either.
We wish St Albans luck for the rest of their FA Cup journey- they face a daunting trip to Taunton on Wednesday. For the Casuals, it was a 3-0 result with much to learn from, despite a good attacking display towards the end in the unforgiving rain. Next up is Whitehawk at home (King George’s this time) on Tuesday.
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