WALTON HURT 'EM
By Mick Magic
Tuesday August 19th, 2008 KO: 7:45pm [League]
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2 |
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4 |
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Corinthian-Casuals |
Walton & Hersham |
By the time I'd taken my seat next to the press box, it was already 1-1, resulting from an undisputable penalty for the visitors in the 8th minute, then what they tell me was a cleverly weighted lob from Tom Jelley in the 13th. While I'm fumbling around for my clipboard and pen, Walton hit two more in the 19th and 20th, so maybe they shouldn't make me sell Golden Goal tickets when I'm supposed to be covering the match! Thankfully, there was still much more to come.
The consensus seemed to be that the Casuals hadn't played too badly, just made three serious mistakes and been punished for all of them, mainly by the omnipresent Barry Moore. That stood well with what I was seeing; spirited, gritty and skilful end-to-end football. In the 34th minute, Tommo Carter made an impressive run through midfield, gracefully beating one Casuals player after another, only to see his intelligent through ball played off the far post. Two minutes later, it was Tyrone Myton at the other end, just wide with a 20 yard thunderbolt. Further punishment came another two minutes later when Craig Dunne, ex-Corinthians himself, flew in to get a toe to a dangerous low cross, 4-1.
A great credit to their character, the second half saw the Casuals come out unfazed, with heads held high, and thus began a spirited fight-back. Paul Hunt and Matt Smith worked tirelessly at the front, but fortune favoured not the bold on this occasion. In the 57th, Craig Dunne was lucky not to receive a straight red for a touch of petulant retaliation, possibly why he was substituted 8 minutes later.
It was the 74th minute before all the home side's hard work finally paid off, a goal-line clearance from Paul Hunt resulting in a desperate scramble and a second goal for Tom Jelley. No doubt the best side won on the day, but the ultimate winners were the 165 people that had watched a good advert for Ryman League football.
Entertainment: ****
Star Man: Tommo Carter (Walton & Hersham)
Team
| PLAYER | GOALS | OG's | C,S/O | S |
| Colin Harris |  |
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| Russell Banyard | |
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| Dale Hennessey |  |
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| Richard Price | |
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| James Rieve | |
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| Lee Matthews | |
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| Matt Smith | |
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| Tom Jelley |  |
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| David Ocquaye | |
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| Paul Hunt | |
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| Tyrone Myton© | |
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| SUBS | P | |||
| Mark Towse |  |
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| Jason Hanif | |
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| Ryan Hughes | |
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| Chris Horwood | |
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| Paul Smith (GK) | |
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Attendance: |
165 |