Corinthian-Casuals 2-2 Abbey Rangers
Combined Counties League Premier South
Tuesday 11th August 2026
Report: Dominic Bliss
​Photos: Andy Nunn

​In the end, we didn’t get our first win of the season, but we got our first proper moment. When George Hockey coolly stroked home his penalty to put us 2-1 ahead on 72 minutes, the fans behind the goal erupted in joy. As Hockey ran to the outstretched arms of the celebrating supporters, his team-mates bundled him pitchside and even Chris, the club’s social media admin, was swamped making for his best goal video for some time.

We had been waiting three-and-a-half matches for that release. It’s been a tough start to the season, with Warren Burton adding to his squad as he goes, working out where he needs to strengthen. There has been a gear shift since last season, the approach is different and there were the first signs the team was working it out last night.

Agonisingly, our sense of joy and optimism was crushed by a stoppage-time equaliser from a mistake at the back that Abbey Rangers substitute Jae Kelly gleefully punished.

Tobi Falodi had enjoyed a solid game at left-back for Casuals, halting several attempted Abbey counterattacks on his own as the last line of our defence. He was in the running for this reporter’s man of the match when he inexplicably decided not to head away an inswinging cross towards our far post in the 92nd minute. Perhaps he didn’t realise the Abbey forward was lurking behind him and felt safe leaving it to go out for a goal kick, or perhaps he received a bogus call. Either way, Kelly made no mistake and we had to make do with a point… our first of the season, by the way.

Abbey Rangers were top of the league going into the game, but had beaten two teams you’d expect them to beat, both of whom had been reduced to 10 men, and done so by a 2-1 scoreline. They had also lost 3-0 to Bognor Regis in the FA Cup extra preliminary round, so while we expected a tough match, it was still a game we had high hopes of taking something from.

The visitors began the game on top, more confident, their patterns of play revealing a team that has been together for a few years now. But Casuals looked spirited and sharp as they grew into the game, snapping into tackles and launching direct breakaways when they could, with new winger Joel Oppong looking particularly lively on the left flank.

​Abbey looked to hit us with balls down the right, and eventually got their reward when a deep cross just eluded Matt Kellett-Smith’s leap and left Connor Young with a half-chance from a tight angle. He fired a brilliant effort past David Wloch and you wondered if that kind of clinical finishing might be the difference against a Casuals side who haven’t looked potent in front of goal as yet.

We put Abbey under pressure before the break but couldn’t fashion a clear-cut opening, and went in at the break feeling a little unlucky to be behind but knowing Abbey had probably edged it. Of more concern was the brief power outage that had the chairman rushing to the fuse box to get the floodlights back on, which he managed just in time to get the game back underway.

The second half was different. We upped our efforts and pushed forward in search of a leveller, and when Abbey goalkeeper Sam Gray took one second too long over one of his goal kicks, referee Callum Peter immediately blew his whistle and awarded Casuals a corner, in keeping with the time-wasting rules implemented last season.

Our new set-piece specialist, Lee Quincey, whose arms must ache from catapulting the ball into the box with long throws all night, swung a fiendish deep corner towards the back post where Cameron Baptiste watched it onto his forehead and into the net. The centre-back had impressed Burton with his performance for the development squad on Friday night and took his chance with a goal and a man-of-the-match display.

Casuals felt the more likely to get a second at this point, and Hockey was a constant thorn in the side of Abbey’s defence, charging down loose balls and breaking lines from his position on the right wing. He eventually won a penalty when he burst into the box and was brought down in front of the referee. It was a clear-cut situation, and he picked himself up to finish with composure, before everyone around him lost theirs in the celebrations.

Abbey were too good a side to simply take it on the chin, though, and came back at us, forcing corner after corner, and winning wide free-kicks with their probing wing play. Casuals defended manfully and, but for a momentary lapse, would have seen out the time added on. But you don’t win matches with ifs, buts and maybes. In the end, we were pegged back and a dramatic, end-to-end game of non-league football ended in a 2-2 draw.
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It was an improvement, as Burton acknowledged after the game, and with new players bedding in, there is reason to hope that first win of the season is around the corner.
 
Corinthian-Casuals: Wloch, Kellett-Smith, Afonso (c), Baptiste, Falodi, Hockey, Crawford, Quincey, Oppong (Hopwood 68), Day (Jakubowski 90), Osunkoya (Campbell 74)
Subs not used: Ejeta, Bland

Fleet Town 1-0 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 1st August 2026
Report: Dominic Bliss
​Photos: Harvey Abbott & Dom Bull

The general feeling after pre-season was that it was difficult to benchmark this new-look Casuals side, given we had mainly played opposition from the leagues above us or professional academies.

The picture is not much clearer following the first competitive game of the season, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to Fleet Town. After all, it was a big ask for us to go away to one of the best-supported teams in the division, not to mention one of the promotion favourites, on opening day.

Warren Burton has kept things stable since taking over as Casuals manager during the close season. He has retained a number of reliable heads and players with the club at heart, while also promoting some of the promising talent from our Suburban League Division One-winning development squad. He has added a few new faces too, and one thing we all took away from those pre-season friendlies was that Warren’s team will have a go, whoever the opponent.

We went to Fleet with one of the more experienced of our new signings, Theo Crawford, serving a suspension, as was Cameron Baptiste. Meanwhile, Jordan Brooks and Marcos dos Santos were both unavailable due to personal reasons, leaving Warren with a decision to make about the spine of his team as he returned to his old stomping ground.

He opted to play two wise heads – club captain Clayton Afonso and Hakeem Adelakun – at centre-back, with young legs in front of them in central midfield, in the form of Zack Ejeta and Connor Everitt. Up front in his 4-4-2 system, Burton plumped for a large-and-large combo, with the broad-shouldered Scott Day and Zak Jakubowski resembling the doormen at an Eastern Bloc night spot.

However, Fleet seem determined to make a statement of intent in the early stages of this season. They too have made several new signings following Burton’s departure to join Casuals at the end of a campaign that saw them reach the play-off final. The attendance of 552 tells the story of a growing club, although the impressive Casuals away following contributed plenty to that number.

Fleet were keen and energetic from the start, looking to find a way in behind our defence, keeping full-backs, Matt Kellett-Smith and Tobi Falodi – both of whom played for Fleet last season – constantly occupied. But we kept their chances to a minimum, while David Wloch dealt well with the few shots that did get through.

Our own opportunities were limited to breakaways. Jack Butler made an excellent run through the middle of the Fleet half before seeing a shot blocked, then pulled up shortly afterwards clutching his hamstring – a major blow 16 minutes into his competitive debut for Casuals, after scoring three times in pre-season.

Twenty minutes later, we lost our other winger when Azeez Elegushi indicated that he had felt a twinge in his quad – after the game, he estimated two to three weeks on the sidelines. The pitches are hard this summer, with no rain for weeks, and injuries are to be expected but Burton must have felt unfortunate having to make two enforced changes before half-time.

A goalless first half wasn’t without merit, though, and the Casuals fans basking in the sunshine behind the goal kept the atmosphere lively.

Unfortunately, Fleet came out for the second half with renewed vigour and took the lead on 53 minutes after a defensive mix-up left Alex MacAllister through on goal, and he finished smartly, leaving the Casuals defenders conducting an inquest into what had gone wrong.

In punishing heat, against confident opposition, on their own ground, it was a big ask for Casuals to come roaring back. Substitute George Hockey looked to have been brought down in the penalty area after bursting through the inside-right channel, only to be booked for diving, and for the next 20 minutes or so it was more about being vigilant to prevent the hosts doubling their advantage.

Then Burton urged his men on in the dying moments, at one point rushing over to retrieve the ball for a long throw-in. However, on the couple of occasions when the ball broke loose in the Fleet penalty area, we were unable to get a clean shot off.

And so we ended the opening game with a defeat, but a narrow one, against strong opposition. Our home opener against Tooting & Mitcham on Tuesday night should make for another good atmosphere as we go in search of our first points of the season.

Corinthian-Casuals: Wloch, Kellett-Smith, Afonso (c), Adelakun, Falodi, Elegushi (Hockey 35), Everitt, Ejeta, Butler (Zapata 16),  Jakubowski (Whittaker 82), Day (Osunkoya 64)
Sub not used: Bland

Thatcham Town 1-0 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 7th March 2026
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree. Additional photos from Harvey Abbott.

Corinthian-Casuals Player Manager Mu Maan was sent off in a bizarre incident which led to an injury time loss at Thatcham Town on Saturday.

Referee David Masters brandished a straight red card to Maan after the midfielder was alleged to have grabbed his opponents genitals in what otherwise   looked  an innocuous challenge.

Having lasted over forty five minutes with ten men, Casuals succumbed to a 95th minute Thatcham winner, helping ease relegation fears for the home side.

In reality, it was a solitary dropped point for Corinth in a battling performance that deserved a draw, though having led a charmed life on occasion, with Thatcham’s finishing abandoning them until the death.

It was pleasing to see Under-23’s representation in the side, with Casuals having little to play for in the league, with playoffs now effectively out of reach. Had the Development squad not been playing at home at the same time, there might have been more of Paul Hill's side in the squad.

And credit to Connor Everitt and Cameron Baptiste who looked tenacious and keen to get stuck in. Across the pitch, Casuals showed more fight than perhaps within the past month or so, not withstanding the win at Eversley and California in midweek.

It was also pleasing to see a return to the pitch by Arsenii Protsyshyn, who had been out with a shoulder injury for two months – the defender still heavily strapped up put in his usual high-standards shift.

Thatcham came into the game on the back of two defeats and needed breathing room between them and the drop zone. Casuals are struggling for form having dropped out of the running for playoff places but Manager Mu Maan instructed his players to ‘go enjoy themselves’ in a game that meant little to the league table for the visitors. However, a heavy pitch would limit the Tolworth-based side’s keenness to get the ball down and play.

Casuals best chance in the first half fell to Rafa Barbosa, who’s usual clinical finishing was lost as he shot wide when racing through on goal. Thatcham had a goal ruled out from a corner after the Assistant flagged for an infringement.

And then, on commencement of the second half came the bizarre sending off; Maan, briefly holding off his marker, was quickly adjudged to have grabbed Charlie Knight’s private parts. Referee Masters blew for the foul and most were shocked to see a straight red card brandished. Video evidence shows how fleeting the interaction was between the two players. Unfortunately, it killed the contest for Casuals, losing a vital midfielder.

Corinth held out for nearly forty five minutes with resolute, often last-ditch defending combined with wayward finishing by Thatcham. They could’ve snuck a win at the end for themselves; Gabriel Odunaike was hauled down by a last man in a race on goal, but another big decision didn’t go their way when Masters waved play on.

And in the 95th minute, Tyrese Georcilin’s cross from the byline was turned in at the near post by Knight to give all three much needed points to the home side.

Eversley & California 0-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties League Premier South
Tuesday 3rd March 2026
Report: Dominic Bliss
Photos: Harvey Abbott
 
As a car full of Corinthian-Casuals supporters pulled away from Fox Lane into the clear early spring night, faint strains of ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ escaped from the car stereo amid jubilant chants from the passengers.

“A win away, a win away, a win away, a win away…!”

This was much more like it. Mu Maan’s side emerged from Eversley & California with three points after a performance of character, discipline and no little determination to get things done after a disappointing run of results in February.

This was a game they had to motivate themselves for, because the humble surroundings were not likely to make them feel like gladiators entering a colosseum.

Prior to the match, the Eversley chairman cheerfully welcomed us, before explaining the challenge his newly promoted club faces as they prepare to foot the bill for the improvements required to remain in Step 5. More seats, more cover, more toilets… the list goes on. What’s more, Eversley’s place at this level is far from guaranteed next season as they currently occupy the second relegation spot in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.

A third of the 34 people in attendance (by some distance the smallest we have seen this season) were Casuals fans making the three-hour round trip from Tolworth to the borderlands of Hampshire and Berkshire in the hope of witnessing our first midweek away win since September 2024.

But there wasn’t much for anyone to cheer about in the opening exchanges, as two teams low on confidence struggled to settle into anything approaching a rhythm. Eversley forced a few corners and delivered a few dangerous balls into the box, but Murillo Bernardes looked sharp and assured in the Casuals goal, dealing with them with minimum fuss.

As the half wore on, the visitors began to grow into the game, putting together the move of the match shortly before the break. Shea Cascoe-Rogers played a wonderful cross-field pass to his opposite wing-back, Zack Ejeta, who killed it with his first touch before beating his man and firing a low ball across the goalmouth. Rafael Barbosa threw himself at it but could only steer the ball wide of the far post.

Casuals were warming to the task, though, and after a couple of half-chances before half-time, they emerged for the second half the hungrier of the two teams.

There was a bite to our play after the interval. We fought to win our battles in the middle of the pitch and broke well in wide areas, with Azeez Elegushi particularly bright on the counter-attack, alleviating pressure and carving out chances with his positive running. Meanwhile, Cameron Baptiste looked to bring the ball out from the back as often as possible as the deployment of a back three offered us a spare man in possession.

Perhaps our biggest threat of late has been from dead balls, with player-manager. We scored two goals from wide free kicks in last Wednesday’s defeat at Guildford, and another set-piece proved to be decisive this week.
Marcos dos Santos had already had a header from a corner cleared off the line when, on 65 minutes, player-manager Mu Maan whipped in an inviting free kick from the right, which Clayton Afonso met at the back post, overpowering his marker to thump home a header.

As the celebration died down and the players made their way back to their own half for kick-off, Maan could be heard urging them to keep their focus and not to let this lead get away from them. The message was clearly received, as his players continued to battle for the remainder of the game, winning 50-50s, and breaking whenever they could, without losing their shape.

Only as the game entered stoppage time did the hosts really threaten, after substitute Scott Day’s sin-binning left us a man short. A desperate late long throw led to wild appeals for a penalty when an Eversley man hit the deck as Casuals cleared their lines. The bitter cries from the home dugout mingled with the final whistle, before being drowned out by the cheers of the visiting players and fans. After six games without a win, this one felt good, and the three points moved us back into the top half of the table.

“We’re the Casuals, the mighty Casuals, we’re gonna win away!” was the chorus from the far end of the ground as the players came to thank those who had made the long journey on a Tuesday night. For those hardy few, it had been well worth the effort. 

Corinthian-Casuals 0-3 Tadley Calleva
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 28th February 2026
Report: Dominic Bliss
 
Corinthian-Casuals suffered a third consecutive defeat to bring a brutal February to a close, as Tadley Calleva ran out 3-0 winners at the Armada Group Stadium.

The in-form Romans came to Tolworth on the back of victories over each of the top two in the last week, but Casuals were very much in this game for the opening 45 minutes, only falling behind in first-half stoppage time.

Tadley had put the ball in the net earlier in the half, but it was ruled out by an offside flag, and Casuals met the challenge of a well-drilled promotion-chasing opponent, carving out a couple of half-chances of their own as the half progressed. However, an awkward inswinging cross from the right wing caught the hosts on their heels and Brad Neal turned it in with a deft touch that returning Casuals keeper Murillo Bernardes could do little about.

The visitors turned the screws after the break, pressing for a second, which arrived shortly before the hour, when Charlie Barlow met a searching high ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area with a looping header that beat Bernardes all ends up before nestling inside the far post.

Casuals rallied at this point and Rafael Barbosa remained a lively presence up front, looking to spark something. When he was brought down inside the area late in the second half, the referee pointed to the spot, bringing cheers from the fans in the Phillips Stand behind the goal.

Player-manager Mu Maan retrieved the loose ball and handed it to Barbosa, who confidently stepped up before firing wide from 12 yards. The Tadley full-back who turned to the home fans with a clenched fist and a roar clearly felt that it was a crucial moment.

He was proved right minutes later, when Brad Passfield made it 3-0 and left Casuals looking at a meagre return of one point from four games in a miserable month where our form reflected the relentless weather. The forecast for the first week of March speaks of the clouds parting and the return of the sun – let’s hope this winless run evaporates with it.

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 3 Chipstead
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 21st February 2026
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree. 

Corinthian-Casuals suffered a fatal blow to their playoff hopes in a 3-1 defeat to Chipstead in the Combined Counties Premier South.

It’s been almost eight years to the day since Casuals last defeated Chipstead – two injury time goals to clinch a 2-1 win back in February 2018. Since then, the two sides have met on no less than seven occasions with the Chips coming out on top on six of those encounters. The last of those was a 6-0 drubbing back in October. Bogey side? – they’re the right colour for it.

But with Chipstead having shipped 12 (twelve) goals in their last match, eyes were on them to turn around an horrifying result. As often is the case following a heavy defeat, losing sides rally – they shore up their defence, pull together as a team. That was certainly the case for the visitors. They showed resilience, tenacity, drive, passion – all of the traits missing from the Casuals  on this afternoon.

Was it complacency? Did Casuals score too early and thought this would be a canter? Rafa Barbosa’s first goal since his return certainly gave most of those in attendance something to cheer about. Not giving up on a half chance, Barbosa snuck in to grab a 9th minute opener, with the ball-up-shirt celebration as a nod to Rafa’s impending new dad status.

Chipstead could’ve been in further hot water when Captain Peter Wedgeworth’s late challenge could’ve commanded a red card. A caution only in a lenient decision from youthful referee Aaron Beswick. It was Wedgeworth’s wicked free kick that had put Chipstead back on level terms, when his effort struck the post to fall kindly to Marley Burton Bell who prodded home the rebound.

It wasn’t the most liveliest of performances from either side and so Manager Mu Maan switched up his midfield at half time, replacing the physicality of Scott Day, Hakeem Adelakun and Marcos Dos Santos with playmakers Diogo Da Silva, Victor Sampaio and new signing Azeez Elegushi. It was a bold move, replacing the entirety of the centre of the park – and one that didn’t pay off.

Within ten minutes of the restart, Chipstead were in front; A free kick from wide was met, unmarked in the penalty box by Burton Bell, who smashed home from six yards. It was criminal defending and a situation that Casuals have struggled with all season. Set piece defending has cost Corinth multiple points and very likely, a playoff place.

Ex-Casual Mike Dixon caused problems all afternoon and when he was able to add a third for the Chips, that was game over. The home side rallied in the last ten minutes but it was all too late. Rafa Barbosa’s wicked shot which was tipped over by Jacob Bennett was the first time the Chipstead keeper was really called upon to make a save. That was deep into time added on.

Whilst it’s mathematically possible to make the playoff places, Casuals now sit nine points adrift of fifth place, with some sides above having played less. Tadley Calleva, who defeated Champions-elect Cobham, have three games in hand over Casuals with six points more on the board. It’ll be nigh-on impossible to overcome the odds within the ten fixtures left for Maan’s side.

Corinthian-Casuals 0-0 Sutton Common Rovers
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 14th February 2026
Report: Dominic Bliss
Photos: Andy Nunn
 
Corinthian-Casuals did everything but score as they dominated the game against Sutton Common Rovers, only to be thwarted by a combination of determined defensive resolve and bad luck as the game ended in a 0-0 draw.

The clouds parted and the sun shone for the first time in weeks on Saturday as there was a break in the relentless rain that has put paid to so many fixtures at this level of the game since the turn of the year.

However, there was still drama before the game had even started when the visiting coaches expressed concern about one corner of the pitch where sand had been laid to absorb the moisture. After an exploratory trip to that corner by the officials, who spent some time scientifically rolling and bouncing the ball on the surface, while Casuals chairman used a leaf blower to remove excess sand, we were informed it was game on and everyone inside the Armada Group Stadium, Tolworth, breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, some football!

Sadly, the 247 in attendance weren’t treated to any goals after their long wait for action, but the Casuals performance was entertaining enough. Mu Maan’s side dominated the ball, and fashioned chances in a variety of ways – there were crosses, there were flowing team moves and there were goalmouth scrambles, but they just couldn’t find the finish.

Rafael Barbosa, recently returned to Casuals after a brief spell with London Benfica, was lively as ever up front, and rose above everyone to meet a guided cross from the right on 10 minutes only to see his header loop over the bar.

Vitinho was neat and tidy in midfield and looked hungry to score his first Casuals goal, but his best effort – a low, left-footed strike from the edge of the area – bent just wide of the post midway through the first half, before Scott Day’s near-post flick was blocked on the line following wonderful build-up play from the industrious Trey Masikini and Vitinho.

Masikini saw a low strike of his own fly inches wide before half-time and the hosts went in frustrated not to have turned control into goals. They were cheered off at the break by the visiting family of late Corinthian-Casuals legends, Bernard and Chris Joy, who joined members of another club great, Dave Richardson, in the Directors’ Box. It was a sign of the club’s enduring connection with its heritage.

The second half picked up where the first had left off, with Casuals in the ascendancy but unable to convert their chances. Shea Cascoe-Rogers burst into the box with just SCR keeper, Frankie Beckles, to beat, but the young stopper – on loan from Croydon Athletic – made a smart save down low to his right to deny what looked a certain goal.

It was a day of debuts for Casuals, with new Colombian left-back Angel Zapata the stand-out performer on the pitch with his tireless running and solid defensive work. He was joined on the pitch by two more recent arrivals midway through the second half, as former Guildford City man Azeez Elegushi came on and put in a notable shift in central midfield and full-back Tobi Falodi made his first appearance since returning to the club as a late sub.

As the game wore on, Casuals pushed more and more men forward in search of a goal. Marcos dos Santos had a goalbound effort parried away by Beckles, and Barbosa couldn’t get the ball out of his feet quick enough to prod home the rebound.

In their quest for a winner, Casuals left the back door open in the last few minutes of the game, and the disciplined SCR side twice took advantage with swift counter-attacks. On both occasions, Mo Maan – returning to the Casuals goal in a time of need for his brother’s side – raced off his line smartly and thwarted the chances.

There was still time for one final push from Casuals. Deep into stoppage time, Diogo da Silva looped an inswinging corner goalwards with his left foot, and Beckles misjudged its flight at his near post. As players from both teams lurched frantically towards the loose ball, it rolled onto the goal line, but it was impossible for the officials to say if the whole ball then crept over the line before it was bundled away. Photographs of the incident proved equally inconclusive and so the teams left the field with a point each, wondering what might have been had either of their late opportunities played out differently.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get three points,” said Casuals gaffer, Mu Maan, afterwards. “The second half was much better, and to be honest we looked like a team that hadn’t played for a long time in the first half, as we didn’t really get out of first gear. But in the second half, I can’t fault the boys’ work rate.

“Listen, it’s disappointing. I would have loved the win but at the end of the day, a point is a point and it’s a clean sheet.”

And did he have some words of praise for his brother’s part in keeping that clean sheet?

“I’ve just said to the boys, that was a superb save in the last minute,” he agreed. “Mo’s been chomping at the bit. He reckons he can still play, so we got him in today and, to be fair, he didn’t do much wrong.”

Corinthian-Casuals 2 - 2 Abbey Rangers
Combined Counties League Premier Division
Saturday 24th January 2026
Report: Stuart Tree (with photos here). Photo: Andy Nunn (full set here)

For the third time in six games, Corinthian-Casuals gave up a two goal lead to draw 2-2, with the latest instalment against playoff contenders Abbey Rangers.

A lightning start from Mu Maan’s Casuals saw the home side score twice in the first ten minutes before Abbey pegged them back in the second half.

It’s six points dropped from a commanding winning position; the same amount of points that Casuals find themselves outside of the playoff places. It could be the story of the season. The wins that turned to draws costing Corinthian. And whilst this was the tenth consecutive game of Casuals finding the net, it’s also seven games without a clean sheet.

The occasion was special; Corinthians Paulista’s Women’s team – nicknamed 'As Brabas', are in town for FIFA’s Women's Champions Cup. The most successful South American side are facing the American Gotham FC at Brentford on Wednesday before Sunday’s Final Day where they could meet either Champions League winners Arsenal or ASFAR of Morocco.

With the strong ties between the two Corinthian clubs, it was an honour to host the CONMEBOL Libertadores champions – many of whom grew up as Corinthians fans, therefore making the pilgrimage to King George’s – home of the original Corinthians, a highlight of their trip. They were welcomed with open arms, not least by Fiel Londres – the London based fan group who, earlier in the week had greeted the Brabas at Heathrow Airport.

Whilst they awaited the arrival of their heroes, Casuals were producing heroics on the pitch. Scott Day’s vicious drive was a warning of what was to come. Clayton Afonso was first on the score sheet just seven minutes past three o’clock. And then Shea Cascoe Rogers goal three minutes later sent the majority of the 343 in attendance into raptures. Casuals looked dominant in the opening stages, perhaps intent on putting out a statement to their playoff placed opponents.

But Abbey looked sharp up top and soon got back into the game when Casuals failed to clear their lines. The aptly Brazilian-sounding Danilo Cadete pulling one back for the visitors.

And for whatever reason, As good as Casuals had been in the first half, they weren’t able to find those levels again. It felt like a matter of time before Abbey would equalise. And thus it came in the 76th minute when Joden Trickett’s header found the net.
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The atmosphere was wonderful. The occasion, historic. January 24th – the 11th anniversary of the Corinthians vs Corinthian-Casuals game in Sao Paulo, saw the Brazilian giants, along with FIFA and two TV station crews arrive at Tolworth for a special, momentous occasion. But when all is said and done, it might be those two dropped points that’ll be rued come the end of the season.

Balham 1 – 3 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 10th January 2026
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree
Additional photos from Andy Nunn and Harvey Abbott.

Corinthian-Casuals started the new year in fine fashion with a 3-1 win away at Balham in the Combined Counties League.

Goals from Scott Day, Diogo Da Silva and a little help via an own goal secured three points for the Casuals to put them within four points of the playoff places.

Whilst it ended a three-game winless streak, the more positive supporter will see that Mu Maan’s side have only lost once in the last seven fixtures and that was to the runaway league leaders Cobham. And it was a welcome third win on the road this season, in which Casuals have mustered the majority of their points at home.

Balham had also recently suffered at the hands of Cobham – 5-0 on the previous Saturday and were coming into this fixture without a win in ten and thus hovering around the relegation zone.

Casuals were without their lead scorer – Andre Coker, suspended for this fixture as well as Maan himself, serving a touchline ban. Brother Mo and Richard Blackwell taking charge in the dugout.

Form guide suggested this would be an easy romp for the Casuals but following twenty minutes of pinball football, Balham’s James Anderson had the freedom of Mitcham to break through the back line and beat keeper Sanghyun Baek to the ball before finishing to give the home side the lead.

It didn’t take long for Casuals to respond. With Trey Masikini being the major threat down the wing, the away side pressed. Masikini’s cross found Day at the back post to level the scores.

And it was 2-1 minutes later when new dad, Diogo da Silva followed up Scott Day’s parried shot, following brilliant hold-up play from Gabs Odunaike. The celebrations reflected Diogo’s newly found fatherhood in true Brazilian Bebeto style.

Balham’s threat wasn’t to be underestimated and could’ve levelled the scores but Withers saw his first effort saved by Baek, then sliced over at the second bite of the cherry.

Whilst Casuals could’ve also extended their lead with Day’s powerful header passing the wrong side of the bar, the first half came to a painful end for Arsenii Protsyshyn who’s shoulder popped out and had to be replaced at the break.

Just four minutes into the second half and it was effectively game over when Casuals grabbed their third. Clayton Afonso rose highest to flick on a wicked cross from Adelakun and Balham’s Jake Henry got the final touch with Gabriel Odunaike lurking with intent.
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Casuals looked comfortable and whilst sitting back for large parts of the second half, they always looked dangerous on the break. Balham had little to offer in response and so the points headed back to Tolworth to keep Corinth in the playoff hunt.

Epsom and Ewell 2 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Saturday 27th December 2025
Combined Counties League Premier South
Report: Josh Lamey.  Photos: Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals concluded 2025 with a derby-day draw after surrendering a two-goal lead against Epsom & Ewell, despite a gallant performance with nine men.

First-half finishes from Andre Coker and Arsenii Protsyshyn gave Casuals a seemingly comfortable cushion, but Stefan Aiwone’s late strike shared the spoils after Antonio Nazareth got the hosts back in the game early in a second half that saw two Casuals men and one Salts player dismissed.

Casuals started proceedings on the front foot, forcing Epsom to retreat into their own territory. Just 90 seconds in, the visitors drew first blood on derby day as Coker poked Hakeem Adelakun’s long throw home in front of a raucous corner of pink and chocolate.

The visitors then doubled the lead on 35 minutes. A set-piece was the thorn in the Salts’ side once more, when Coker’s in-swinging corner was met by Protyshyn’s guided header beyond a helpless Benjamin Grummitt. The perfect end to a half that saw the Corinthian players serenaded off the pitch.

However, the start to the second 45 was anything but perfect. Half-time substitute Ed McCrea saw his initial yellow card upgraded to red after a discussion between referee and his assistant, who deemed him to be the last man. Brendan Murphy-McVey’s strike from the resulting free-kick ended up flashing just wide.

Epsom, having gained the early second-half momentum, halved the deficit on 55 minutes. With the ball bobbling around in the area, Casuals failed to clear and Nazareth prodded past Sanghyun Baek via the post.

The feisty nature of derby day began to cut through the bleak midwinter frost, and two further red cards followed in quick succession when both Coker and Nazareth picked up second yellow cards, forcing the game to finish with 10 versus nine.

The hosts made their numerical advantage count with the clock approaching 90, when Casuals were unable to clear a wide free-kick and Aiwone met the loose ball with a well-struck effort that beat Baek at his near post. The sense of frustration was compounded by the referee’s decision to play an advantage that had never materialised following a foul on Marcos dos Santos moments before Epsom were awarded the free-kick that undid Casuals.

Maan’s men hit the road again in the new year, travelling to Guildford City next Saturday.
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Casuals: Baek, Masikini, Adelakun, Protsyshyn, Rowe, Afonso, Brown (Cascoe-Rogers 65), Dos Santos, Day (McCrea 45), Coker