DEFENSIVE SLIP COSTS POINT
By Rob Cavallini
Tuesday October 21st, 2008 KO: 7:45pm [League]
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Crowborough
Athletic |
Corinthian-Casuals |
Brian Adamson's side despite a mountain of injuries, which is fast approaching the casualty list on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, produced a fantastic performance before a defensive slip cost them a valuable point.
A scrappy first half saw the two struggling teams probably try too hard to impress, with over hit passes and rushed efforts being the order of the day. Wayne Clarke went close for Crowborough, before on ten minutes Joe Nwoko set up Eseosa Omoregle who shot wide. Moments later Crowborough's Kieran Wilson hit a low drive which was pushed wide by debutant Chris Waller.
It was end to end stuff as first Atheltic's Wayne Clarke and then Omeoregle went close, before on 24 minutes Gavin Gordon clipped a shot over Waller following a defensive mix up to give the home side the lead.
Casuals rallied and Omeoregle spurned the amateurs best chance three minutes later, and before the interval a good passing movement between Nwoko and Omeoregle set up Byron Brown whose shot deflected wide. This was followed by Brown hitting the bar and Joe Funicello shooting narrowly over.
Casuals started the second half in electric fashion as Omeoregle having a long range shot held almost immediately. Funicello was next to try his luck, before Matt Smith saw his 30 yard effort drop just over the cross bar. All this occurred in the opening two minutes of the half as Casuals looked dominant.
It continued with Nwoko firing just past the post, before Smith's equaliser on 56 minutes when he shot Casual's level from the edge of the box. From this point Casuals began to run out of fit players as Russell Banyard was first to go off injured on the hour and slowly the home side eased their way back into the match.
Banyard's replacement Jack McLennan failed to mark any one for the remainder of the half, almost giving Luke Gedling on Athletic's left wing, the freedom of Crowborough in the process. Casuals were on the back foot and in injury time McLennan failed yet again to carry out his defensive duties and allowed Andrew Ducille in to score the winner.
Entertainment: ***½
Star Man:
Team
| PLAYER | GOALS | OG's | C,S/O | S |
| Chris Waller |  |
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| Russell Banyard |  |
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| Dale Hennessey | |
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| James Reive | |
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| Chris Horwood© | |
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| Steve Omonua | |
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| Matt Smith |  |
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| Joe Funicello | |
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| Joe Nwoko | |
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| Eseosa Omoregle | |
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| Byron Brown | |
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| SUBS | P | |||
| Ryan Hughes |  |
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| Taylor Mallatt | |
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| Jack McLellan | |
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| Colin Harris | |
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Attendance: |
107 |