CASUALS STORM BACK
By Rob Cavallini
Saturday September 6th, 2008 KO: 3:00pm [League]
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Corinthian-Casuals |
Ashford
Town |
Casuals stormed back into the match after finding themselves two goals down, to record their first victory of the season. The win sees Casuals jump from bottom place to the dizzy heights of 17th and now gives them a firm basis to build on. With a long list of injuries, the result came as welcome relief for manager Brian Adamson, and with players returning after the forthcoming two week lay-off, it is hoped that Casuals have turned the corner.
In a disappointing first half, Casuals found themselves a goal down after just two minutes when Daniel Braithwaite headed in from close range. The rest of the half saw Ashford in ascendancy as the men from Kent threatened to run riot. Casuals rearguard remained firm and through some good luck and some solid defending held out until the interval.
Things went from bad to worse for Casuals at the start of the second half when Ashford extended their lead in the 47th minute, thanks to Mitchell Sherwood, who hit home the loose ball after two tremendous saves by Colin Harris.
Finally Casuals awoke from their slumber and began creating chances. Tyrone Myton scuffed a shot wide, before Luke Edgehill tried an ambitious volley. Myton had the best chance so far on 57 minutes, but his shot was saved by Jamie Riley.
Three minutes later Myton played a one-two off an Ashford defenders shoulder, with the ball falling kindly for him to strike a stunning 25 yard pile driver into the top corner of the net. Casuals were now electric and on 62 minutes equalised when Chris Horwood headed in Matt Smith's shot at the far post.
Bradley Spice went close for Ashford, but Harris again saved well, before late in the game Casuals pressed for a winner. First Joe Nwoko shot into the side netting, then with five minutes left he made amends when he spotted Riley off his line and struck a 40 yard winner. Byrone Brown almost scored an equally impressive 40 yard effort in injury time, but his shot went just wide.
Entertainment: ****½
Star Man:
Team
| PLAYER | GOALS | OG's | C,S/O | S |
| Colin Harris |  |
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| Carlos Talbot | |
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| Byron Brown | |
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| James Rieve | |
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| Chris Horwood |  |
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| Joe Funicello |  |
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| Trevor Robinson | |
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| Luke Edgehill | |
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| Tyrone Myton© | |
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| Dan Jackson | |
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| Matt Smith | |
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| SUBS | P | |||
| Mark Towse |  |
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| Joe Nwoko | |
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| Lee Matthews | |
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| Richard Price | |
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| Paul Smith (GK) | |
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Attendance: |
96 |