Tonbridge Angels 2 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 16th March 2019
Report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)
From controversial refereeing decisions to countless missed opportunities, the remarkably unfortunate Corinthian-Casuals recorded nine games without a win at Tonbridge Angels on a miserable Saturday afternoon.
An excruciating watch for the Casuals contingent, last Saturday’s action versus Bishop’s Stortford was another demonstration of James Bracken’s side’s capability in the Bostik Premier; a dominating display could not conjure vital three points though. With Tonbridge, Dorking and Carshalton on the calendar for the next three weeks, many would think the level of support would diminish as they head into games firmly as the ‘underdog’. But those who thought that would be sorely mistaken- a brilliant gathering of supporters behind the goal cheered as pink and brown faced the blue and white.
It was The Return of the Maj in the starting eleven as Osman slotted in no.7 ahead of the absent Odunaike. From the off, it was clear that there was a key player in the game that did not belong to Tonbridge or Casuals. The consistent gusts of wind and periodic rainy periods made it hard to play, and it might have been the reason why the first ten minutes had been so scrappy, until Chinedu McKenzie capitalised on a Spencer miskick. However, he was beaten to the punch by Kevant Sebony, accidently poking the ball home and giving the Angels a 1-0 lead.
It did not deter a steady increase in Casuals attacks, with Warren Mfula in a 1-on-1 situation but was surprised by the keeper’s eagerness to reach him. Attempting to round him, Tonbridge’s Henly got a hand to it and it was cleared in the end. Interrupted by a great Danny Bracken save, Casuals’ half-chances and lack of luck was surmised in a strange decision from the referee. Bursting down the left flank, Osman was tripped by a blue shirt and the referee immediately blew his whistle… for a free-kick. Despite a divot in the ground inside the penalty area and Osman falling into it, Casuals would have to settle for a free-kick instead of a spot-kick, much to the bemusement of home fans who muttered that it was a penalty and an annoyance of the well-positioned fans behind the goal. Ekim smashed his kick into the wall and Casuals went into the second half 1-0 down.
The weather really played a part in the next 45 minutes, but Casuals were the ones to capitalise on it. Battling through the wind and impressive defending, Antonio and Serbony were brilliant in spreading the play, as well as a good shift from Benjamin Aghadiuno. It was the Barnet loanee Aghadiuno who was admitted on goal with Henly, who rushed out of goal again to save Tonbridge. The problem everyone in pink had was the fact that the no.1 handled the ball extremely close to where the penalty area ended. If the referee was able to see Henly’s glove touch the ball before recovering, it would have been detrimental- a straight red card and a free-kick. Instead, Casuals received nothing.
One-sided from then on, Corinthians were determined and with the introduction of Max Oldham, had so many opportunities that fell through. There was a superb Ekim effort that narrowly spiralled over, as well as Oldham’s cross that evaded anyone in the packed box- it nearly rolled in itself. Sub Woods-Garness almost got his first goal for the Casuals as a header bounced into the floor and was saved by Henley in goal.
In a rare attack for the hosts, a dead-ball cross was flung in before it met the hand of Osman and despite not giving a decisive decision for Casuals the whole game, the referee pointed to the spot. The irony was not lost in the fact it was debatable whether Osman was even in the penalty box.
A strong penalty from Joe Turner was dispatched making it 2-0 to Tonbridge in the 85th minute.
Thank you to Tonbridge Angels for their hospitality, good luck for the rest of the season as they sit in 3rd place now, one point behind second! Dorking Wanderers lost to Carshalton, so they would not be arriving to King George’s Field next week with the need to win, therefore securing the title. Top-of-the-league is followed by a visit from Carshalton the week after, so James Bracken’s pink and brown army have the chance to both shock the league and add to the four point gap between 18th and relegation. If anyone can do it, Casuals can.
Manager James Bracken's post match thoughts can be read here.
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 16th March 2019
Report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)
From controversial refereeing decisions to countless missed opportunities, the remarkably unfortunate Corinthian-Casuals recorded nine games without a win at Tonbridge Angels on a miserable Saturday afternoon.
An excruciating watch for the Casuals contingent, last Saturday’s action versus Bishop’s Stortford was another demonstration of James Bracken’s side’s capability in the Bostik Premier; a dominating display could not conjure vital three points though. With Tonbridge, Dorking and Carshalton on the calendar for the next three weeks, many would think the level of support would diminish as they head into games firmly as the ‘underdog’. But those who thought that would be sorely mistaken- a brilliant gathering of supporters behind the goal cheered as pink and brown faced the blue and white.
It was The Return of the Maj in the starting eleven as Osman slotted in no.7 ahead of the absent Odunaike. From the off, it was clear that there was a key player in the game that did not belong to Tonbridge or Casuals. The consistent gusts of wind and periodic rainy periods made it hard to play, and it might have been the reason why the first ten minutes had been so scrappy, until Chinedu McKenzie capitalised on a Spencer miskick. However, he was beaten to the punch by Kevant Sebony, accidently poking the ball home and giving the Angels a 1-0 lead.
It did not deter a steady increase in Casuals attacks, with Warren Mfula in a 1-on-1 situation but was surprised by the keeper’s eagerness to reach him. Attempting to round him, Tonbridge’s Henly got a hand to it and it was cleared in the end. Interrupted by a great Danny Bracken save, Casuals’ half-chances and lack of luck was surmised in a strange decision from the referee. Bursting down the left flank, Osman was tripped by a blue shirt and the referee immediately blew his whistle… for a free-kick. Despite a divot in the ground inside the penalty area and Osman falling into it, Casuals would have to settle for a free-kick instead of a spot-kick, much to the bemusement of home fans who muttered that it was a penalty and an annoyance of the well-positioned fans behind the goal. Ekim smashed his kick into the wall and Casuals went into the second half 1-0 down.
The weather really played a part in the next 45 minutes, but Casuals were the ones to capitalise on it. Battling through the wind and impressive defending, Antonio and Serbony were brilliant in spreading the play, as well as a good shift from Benjamin Aghadiuno. It was the Barnet loanee Aghadiuno who was admitted on goal with Henly, who rushed out of goal again to save Tonbridge. The problem everyone in pink had was the fact that the no.1 handled the ball extremely close to where the penalty area ended. If the referee was able to see Henly’s glove touch the ball before recovering, it would have been detrimental- a straight red card and a free-kick. Instead, Casuals received nothing.
One-sided from then on, Corinthians were determined and with the introduction of Max Oldham, had so many opportunities that fell through. There was a superb Ekim effort that narrowly spiralled over, as well as Oldham’s cross that evaded anyone in the packed box- it nearly rolled in itself. Sub Woods-Garness almost got his first goal for the Casuals as a header bounced into the floor and was saved by Henley in goal.
In a rare attack for the hosts, a dead-ball cross was flung in before it met the hand of Osman and despite not giving a decisive decision for Casuals the whole game, the referee pointed to the spot. The irony was not lost in the fact it was debatable whether Osman was even in the penalty box.
A strong penalty from Joe Turner was dispatched making it 2-0 to Tonbridge in the 85th minute.
Thank you to Tonbridge Angels for their hospitality, good luck for the rest of the season as they sit in 3rd place now, one point behind second! Dorking Wanderers lost to Carshalton, so they would not be arriving to King George’s Field next week with the need to win, therefore securing the title. Top-of-the-league is followed by a visit from Carshalton the week after, so James Bracken’s pink and brown army have the chance to both shock the league and add to the four point gap between 18th and relegation. If anyone can do it, Casuals can.
Manager James Bracken's post match thoughts can be read here.
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