A MAGNIFICENT PERFORMANCE
By Rob Cavallini
Tuesday September 23rd, 2008 KO: 7:45pm [League]
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Metropolitan Police |
Corinthian-Casuals |
Casuals against the odds produced a magnificent performance in holding unbeaten Met Police to a goal less draw. The amateurs produced a controlled and determined performance, which never allowed the Police to settle.
An entertaining game began at a fast pace and Craig Carley and Scott Forester both had chances for the Police as the two sides began positively. Casuals suffered a blow on 23 minutes when Eric Kawkye was carried off, but substitute David Ocquaye was more than an adequate replacement and became their main threat.
Casuals became an attacking force from this point and great determination by Paul Hunt allowed him to play in Ocquaye on 36 minutes, but Mo Mann in the Police goal was on hand to save. The amateurs won their first corner shortly after wards which came to nothing, but from the second Ocquaye's powerful header was again well saved by Maan.
The second half almost started explosively when another Ocquaye header was fumbled around the post by Maan as Casuals almost caught their hosts cold after the restart. At the other end Colin Harris was booked in an interesting manner when he threw the ball towards the corner flag when it was a corner?
On 57 minutes Harris made amends by saving Saheed Sankoh's effort, before Casuals settled again and knocking the ball around with ease and creating some positive openings thanks to their sharp approach play. Byron Brown was prominent in this period when his 40 yard cross from the left wing was headed narrowly over by Paul Hunt and shortly afterwards he tried his luck with a 40 yard shot which skimmed the bar. Tom Jelley also saw a shot fly wide.
The only criticism of a marvellous performance was in the last 15 minutes Casuals defended too deep with Met Police pushing for a winner. It did however show the character of the side which refused to give in and continued to shut the Police out of the game, and Casuals always looked capable of breaking away. The only effort of note during this period came from Forrester whose overhead kick was pushed around the post by Harris.
Entertainment: ****½
Star Man:
Team
| PLAYER | GOALS | OG's | C,S/O | S |
| Colin Harris |  |
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| Jake McLellan |  |
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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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| Tom Jelley | |
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| Steve Omonuo | |
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| Dan Jackson | |
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| Paul Hunt | |
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| Eric Kwakye | |
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| SUBS | P | |||
| Matt Smith |  |
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| David Ocquaye | |
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| Harry Holloway | |
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| Dale Hennessey | |
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| Manny Djornor | |
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Attendance: |
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