Corinthian-Casuals 1 v 1 Horsham
Man of the Match: Ross Defoe
Attendance: 143
Match report by Gary Weir

The Casuals settled for a point at King George's proving yet again they are a difficult side to break down throughout this second half of the season. Although the away side saw player/manager Gary Charman sent off late on there was no time left for the Casuals to grab the winner. You do wonder what the Hornets captain would think about their manager’s dismissal as mathematically the Hornet’s could still be dragged into a relegation battle.

The away side opened the scoring after only 15 minutes capitalising with their first chance of the match, although they had threatened on a number of occasions earlier on. The dangerous Junior Kaffo smashed his header against the crossbar after a deep cross on the right channel rebounding onto the head of the free standing Jamie Cade doing the easiest of tasks to nod it in the back of the net from just a few yards out.

In a half of few chances from either side the Casuals went into the break just 1-0 nil down leaving the fans with much intrigue as to how they would come out in the second half.

The Casuals did come back strongly and leveled on 70 minutes through the one and only Jamie Byatt, striking a powerful trademark left footed shot to increase on his 26 goal tally for the season. The inspired Juevan Spencer, who had posed a danger all match down the right channel, flicked in a cross to the back post which was met by Hodges, the left winger touching it back into the danger area for Byatt to volley home where he is most prolific.

Byatt and Hodges should have done better with some chances towards the latter stages of the match but as both teams share the spoils Corinth will have been disappointed not to have started the match as fresh as their opponents. Notably, there is evidence of patience in Matt Howard’s side who appear to remain confident even when the tough is going.

Next match the casuals are up against a rejuvenated Crawley Down Gatwick this Tuesday evening who signed 9 new players on transfer deadline day last Monday. A win against the now unpredictable anvils will drive another nail in their relegation coffin whilst strengthen our position further as one of the most stabilized and sustainable football clubs in the Ryman Isthmian Football League. 

Chipstead 1 v 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Man of the Match: Danny Dudley

A weary Casuals were unable to keep their unbeaten run going this afternoon as they succumbed to local rivals, Chipstead.

A 4th match in 8 days was always going to be tough with the squad being stretched to its limits with the recent busy schedule...and one challenge too many today proved to be.

A game of few clear chances, Chipstead took the lead on the brink of half time after a defensive misjudgement by Hicks, the unfortunate Casuals skipper, that allowed Chipstead the easy chance they needed.

1-0 down, Casuals battled hard in the second half and it was Hicks again who was at the centre of the action as it was his header that nearly rescued a point at the end.

And so it's the end of the good run, but the team will be keen to immediately start a new one away to Herne Bay on Tuesday night!

Elsewhere, our reserves side secured a 3-3 home draw against 4th place Metropolitan Police. Gareth Witter ran riot and grabbed a brace before half time. The second half had proven costly though for Paul Stewart's side as the men in blue arrested the situation by nabbing three second half goals. The third goal for Casuals came from the number 9 Ricardo Fraser. The Reserves travel to Bromley on Tuesday, kick off at 7:45pm at Hayes Lane. For more info visit the reserves section.

WORTHING 0 CORINTHIAN-CASUALS 1
RYMAN DIVISION ONE SOUTH
Wed 19th March 2014
by David Harrison


Casuals return to winning ways came with a fighting performance at Worthing that banished the frustrations of three recent defeats and finally moved the club out of the relegation zone. For the evening trip to the south coast manager Matt Howard was forced to make a number of changes. The ever dependable Danny Green came in at right back with Tom Williams switching to the left and forming the back line with Danny Dudley and Joe Hicks. In midfield, newcomer Michael Fahm, recently joined from Redhill , partnered Ellis Wilson-Joseph with Saheed Sankoh, recently returned from a spell with Harrow and Dave Hodges adding his strength on the left.


Worthing began powerfully and soon had the visitors in trouble. Keeper Danny Bracken was forced to make a double save when he fumbled a first shot then brilliantly pushed aside the follow-up. Moments later Bracken was in action again with another fine save from Worthing's George Gaskin. At the other end Joel Thompson was through but was dispossessed before he could get in a shot. Then Fahm, showing pace and control, cut in from the right to present Thompson with a potential opening. But again the striker was blocked by the fast tackling Worthing defence. In between Bracken kept Casuals in the game with another fine save.


Ten minutes before halftime came the breakthrough. Jamie Byatt put Hodges away to shoot powerfully as he approached the box. Keeper Jack Fagan could only parry the ball which bounced back to the advancing Byatt who fired home for his 23rd goal of the season.


In the second half Worthing tried all they knew but Casuals defended for their lives - with Dudley and Hicks ever present, Green as cool as ever under pressure, Williams enjoying his new role at left back and Sankoh adding strength and experience whenever required. Fahm made a couple of runs to relieve the pressure and created Casuals' best chances while Byatt never stopped harrying defenders who dwelt on the ball. But with ten minutes to go a penetrating move from Worthing saw Gaskin through again on goal and real danger. Only an acrobatic tip-over the bar by Bracken saved the day; the points were secure.


It was Casuals' first double of the season, having beaten Worthing by the same score on the first day of the season and a real credit to the whole side. Manager Matt Howard summed it up: "We kept our shape and we kept our heads". And the reward - to escape from the bottom three relegation places for the first time in 2014.


Team: D.Bracken; D.Green, T.Williams, D.Dudley, J.Hicks (C); E.Wilson-Joseph, M.Falm (J.Spencer 78'), S.Sanko, J.Byatt, J.Thompson (S.Barilli 82'), D.Hodges.

Subs not used: M.Quiassaca, D.Llacer

Hastings United FC versus Corinthian Casuals FC
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 15th March 2014
Pilot Field
Final score: 2-1
Report and Pictures by Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals lost out in the battle of Hastings as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Sussex-based promotion chasers in the Ryman Division One South fixture last Saturday.

Although a recent uplift in form had put Corinth within a point of finding themselves outside the relegation zone, two defeats in the space of a week against Hythe Town reunited Casuals with familiar territory. Returning to the south coast for the second time in four days, the Amateurs had a tough task ahead of them. Hastings, sitting in the playoff places, were also looking to return to winning ways after a succession of defeats had hampered promotion hopes.

Boss Matt Howard made changes from Tuesday’s narrow 4-3 loss by including new signing Michael Falim, bought in from fellow strugglers Redhill.

In a cagey first half, both teams looked a little edgy, determined not to throw away the match in the early stages. Hastings had the better possession and came close twice, with Danny Dudley making a last ditch block from Frankie Sawyer and keeper Danny Bracken expertly tipping over from point a Josh Jirbandey header which left Hastings Boss Terry White stunned as to how the Casuals’ stopper kept the scores level.

As the half progressed, the home side’s recent lean spell never looked like coming to an end. Casuals started to gain in confidence and in-form striker Jamie Byatt found himself one-on-one with keeper Josh Pelling, but couldn’t find a way past the stopper. Half chances also fell to Falim and Ellis Wilson-Joseph, but the deadlock remained as the teams left the field for the break.

An invigorated Casuals emerged from the tunnel and immediately looked the more threatening – Byatt once again causing trouble for opposing defenders.  The enigmatic Dave Hodges forced Pelling into a fine stop after Byatt played the winger through. It was all Casuals at this point and the pressure paid off. A penalty was awarded on the hour mark to Corinth when Tim Olorunda downed Byatt after the striker was played through from a defence-splitting pass by Mario Quiassaca. Byatt duly smashed the spot kick down the middle leaving Pelling in goal no-chance. 1-0 to the Casuals.

With the realisation that they could go four games without a point, Hastings began to play much more attacking football. Sawyer’s left foot shot was helped on its way from an in-form Bracken in goal. However, the Casuals’ No.1 had no chance in stopping a sublime effort from Hasting’s Trevor McCreadie. Sawyer wrangled his way through the visitor’s defence before the ball sat up nicely for McCreadie whose instinctive overhead scissor kick left Bracken, the Casuals defence and all at the Pilot Field stunned with its premium quality.

Reeling from the strike, five minutes later Hastings were ahead. Sam Cruttwell blasted his way down the left channel and delivered a neat, low cross that Frankie Sawyer dispatched into Bracken’s net at the near post. Matt Howard instantly made two changes to try and rescue something from the game, but Hastings held on for the victory and Casuals can feel aggrieved not to come away from the Pilot Field with any points. 

More pictures can be seen here.