BANK HOLIDAY
By Mick Magic
Saturday August 25th, 2008 KO: 3:00pm [League]
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Whyteleafe |
Corinthian-Casuals |
A slow start, witnessed by a woeful 84 Bank Holiday revellers, finally began to burst into life after 14 minutes. The home side skilfully took the lead from a poorly defended cross, only to have their premature joy cut short by a raised flag, possibly the last real favour the visitors received from an official.
Only a couple of minutes later, all hell broke loose, following a questionable tackle and the all too common act of retaliation. Casuals' Ryan Hughes received a straight red for the former, Leafe's Robbie Smith was lucky to stay on the field for the latter, having clearly knocked Hughes to the ground.
If anything, the injustice only served to fire up the away side, Matt Smith shooting on sight, Tyrone Myton scrapping for every ball in the middle. Colin Harris mastered his goal well, safe takes from crosses, a wonderful fingertip push around the post. A little luck was ridden perhaps when Sean Rivers shot from a goalmouth scramble went outbound from the post. His next attempt, however, was blocked firmly by James Reive, becoming a noticeable asset in the Corinthian back four. Even defender Richard Price was up for it, in spite of the one man handicap, surging forward with an impressive run, blasting just over from some 30 yards.
All the visitors work seemed undone in fourth minute of stoppage time when an obviously unavoidable ball-to-hand was adjudged a penalty offence and duly converted. The hard working Casuals conceded a second in the 58th, but then their backs had been against the wall for 42 minutes since Robbie Smith fortuitously dodged the red. He finally went off after 72 minutes, substituted, to an ovation from the Whyteleafe faithful. To be fair, his contribution should have warranted Man Of The Match, had it not been for his early misdemeanour and the fact he shouldn't still have been there.
Within five minutes of his absence, David Ocquaye followed a fantastic run through, cleverly side-stepping baffled defenders, with a clinical finish, pulling a deserved consolation for the visitors. The game was far from over, chances opening at both ends. Just inside stoppage time, Paul Smith, Casuals reserve keeper, came on as an outfield player and immediately caused a stir. He made a great tackle that unfortunately left Leafe's Steve MacNamara on the ground for two minutes. His energy and enthusiasm helped launch a last gasp fightback that saw the home side pinned back in their own area, but they would not be denied the points in the end.
Entertainment: ***
Star Man: Colin Harris (Corinthian-Casuals)
Team
| PLAYER | GOALS | OG's | C,S/O | S |
| Colin Harris |  |
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| Richard Price |  |
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| Dale Hennessey |  |
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| James Rieve | |
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| Russell Banyard | |
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| Ryan Hughes |  |
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| Tyrone Myton© | |
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| Tom Jelley | |
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| David Ocquaye |  |
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| Matt Smith | |
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| Jason Hanif | |
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| SUBS | P | |||
| Mark Towse |  |
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| Dan Jackson | |
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| Paul Smith (GK) | |
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Attendance: |
84 |