Corinthian-Casuals 5-1 Godalming Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 22nd April 2017
Report by Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (Full set HERE)
It was a memorable final day of the Ryman Division One South season for Corinthian-Casuals following a conclusive 5-1 victory versus 10-man Godalming Town as the crucial play-off semi-final at Greenwich loomed.
If you turn back the clocks to one year ago, you’d painfully remember the last day of Casuals’ 2015/16 campaign. A goal from James Cottee was enough to seal three points at King George’s against Three Bridges, but the positive result had been ruined by off the pitch activities. Harshly docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, Corinth’s play-off hunt was cruelly concluded. However, the respectful and optimistic contingent of supporters were ready to relaunch the promotion push in August, where the 2016/17 season began. And nine months later, King George’s Field boasted a buoyant atmosphere- a play-off spot had been secured and Casuals could take the final fixture easy… could.
Of course, manager James Bracken was professional in his lineup and approach to the game. Casuals had something to play for as Tuesday’s opponents Greenwich hosted Guernsey- if the Londoners failed to win against the Channel Islanders and if Corinthians were able to beat Godalming, it would be a home tie for the Casuals. Interesting.
On the other hand, relegated Godalming Town were at the foot of the table and had nothing (other than pride) to play for. It would be Step 5 football next season for the G’s after only one year in the Southern League. Dan Turkington’s reign as boss has been the highlight of Godalming’s disastrous year; the experienced gaffer oversaw tremendous underdog victories against play-off hopefuls Lewes and Hastings. Turkington & co had the potential to end on a high.
As the pink and brown of Casuals and the yellow shirts of Godalming kicked off, the sun continued to blaze down onto the wonderfully green surface of King George’s. A lacklustre ten minutes, possession constantly switched from the attacking-minded Casuals to the organised visitors. Jordan Clarke has happy memories playing against Godalming as the winger netted a sublime free-kick at Wey Court earlier in the season, and was looking to play a part in the opening goal. Terrorizing the flanks, Clarke and Oldham were Corinthians’ main source of attack whilst Godalming had no.10 Darren Wheeler as their only opportunity. The forward attempted to defeat Danny Bracken with a deft chip, but the ball comfortably sailed over. In the 27th minute, Godalming’s Chris Wales tripped the trickster Clarke and needlessly gave away a penalty. Shaun Okojie took the responsibility of the spot-kick and composedly fired the ball down the middle, evading the gloves of Godalming’s no.1.
Casuals didn’t even give the travelling side the time to re-organise after the opener, with Jamie Byatt racing down the wing before powering the ball into the bottom corner. Unfortunately for ‘Busy’ it didn’t go that smoothly as the left-back would have to settle with an assist- his shot was actually palmed into the path of Okojie, to volley home with his left. It was thirty-two league goals for Super Shaun, although credit should also be given to Byatt after a terrific build-up. It was an electrifying two goals in two minutes.
Clarke was operating on the wing again in the thirty-second minute when he magnificently floated the ball into the area for Shaun Okojie. The striker was in the right place at the right time again; the 6ft 2in marksman glanced the ball past the keeper and into the net. Pointing to his colleague Clarke, Okojie hugged his team-mate with a massive grin as Casuals furthered their superiority. It was 3-0, and Okojie had scored the perfect hat-trick: A left-footed strike, a right-footed strike, and a header!
Okojie was in stunning form and could be likened to the menacing Alien in the Ridley Scott trilogy… lurking in-between the lines before clinically attacking and succeeding... Shaun was ruthlessly hunting for his fourth victim when he was brought back down to earth by goalkeeper Oneal Garnes, who unfairly tackled the striker without winning the ball. Okojie was certainly going to score as he was clean through on goal, so there was only one outcome to Garnes’ mistimed challenge. The referee awarded Casuals the free-kick and reached for the red card out of his pocket. Godalming were down to ten men and were forced to utilize outfield substitute Tom Webb, who courageously wore the no.1 jersey. Clarke took the set-piece, but his effort was well-saved by Webb. Moments before the referee blew for half-time, James Bracken made an early substitution as the cold-blooded Okojie was tactically rested.
The second-half was greeted by a Casuals change as Reyon Dillon took the place of Jordan Clarke, who is another possible starter for the Greenwich game. Josh Gallagher was actively pushing for the fourth goal early in the second-half and the energetic midfielder was taken down by the hasty Carl Gastang, which resulted in another penalty. With Okojie off the pitch, Jamie Byatt grabbed the ball and took the spot-kick. The fans favourite rifled the ball just wide from twelve yards out, but the left-back courageously picked himself up and continued. In the 51st minute, Max Oldham was relentlessly attempting to cause havoc in the Godalming ranks. The no.11 turned a full-back and fizzed an intelligent cross to sub Shaun Brown. Brown nabbed the ball into the roof of the net and Corinth had their fourth.
Three minutes later, Ben Cheklit was on the scoresheet. Shaun Brown was attacking again, and forced Webb to dive to his right. The inexperienced keeper couldn’t get a firm grip on the ball and allowed Cheklit to simply tap it in. The midfielder notched his second of the season, his first goal for the first-team since October 2016.
The remaining thirty-six minutes saw Godalming score a consolation goal out of nothing- William Efambe netted in the sixty-eighth minute. Casuals’ half-hearted search for the elusive sixth goal saw a Cheklit shot fly straight into the gloves of Webb and a near wonder-goal from Dillon. The referee’s whistle at full-time was drowned out by the non-stop chanting of the ecstatic supporters behind the goal.
Corinthians exited King George’s with a 5-1 victory and a solid fourth place spot due to Greenwich’s 4-0 thrashing of Guernsey. Table toppers Tooting & Mitcham and second-place Dorking Wanderers clashed at Westhumble, which saw Dorking win 1-0, but miss out on first-place. Congratulations to Tooting for winning the Ryman Division One South, and we wish them the best in the Premier Division. “Greenwich Borough, we’re coming for you!” were the words of the Casuals contingent at full-time; Corinth face the Borough at the DGS Stadium on Tuesday evening in the play-off semi-final. We hope to see you there! Vai Corinthians!
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 22nd April 2017
Report by Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (Full set HERE)
It was a memorable final day of the Ryman Division One South season for Corinthian-Casuals following a conclusive 5-1 victory versus 10-man Godalming Town as the crucial play-off semi-final at Greenwich loomed.
If you turn back the clocks to one year ago, you’d painfully remember the last day of Casuals’ 2015/16 campaign. A goal from James Cottee was enough to seal three points at King George’s against Three Bridges, but the positive result had been ruined by off the pitch activities. Harshly docked three points for fielding an ineligible player, Corinth’s play-off hunt was cruelly concluded. However, the respectful and optimistic contingent of supporters were ready to relaunch the promotion push in August, where the 2016/17 season began. And nine months later, King George’s Field boasted a buoyant atmosphere- a play-off spot had been secured and Casuals could take the final fixture easy… could.
Of course, manager James Bracken was professional in his lineup and approach to the game. Casuals had something to play for as Tuesday’s opponents Greenwich hosted Guernsey- if the Londoners failed to win against the Channel Islanders and if Corinthians were able to beat Godalming, it would be a home tie for the Casuals. Interesting.
On the other hand, relegated Godalming Town were at the foot of the table and had nothing (other than pride) to play for. It would be Step 5 football next season for the G’s after only one year in the Southern League. Dan Turkington’s reign as boss has been the highlight of Godalming’s disastrous year; the experienced gaffer oversaw tremendous underdog victories against play-off hopefuls Lewes and Hastings. Turkington & co had the potential to end on a high.
As the pink and brown of Casuals and the yellow shirts of Godalming kicked off, the sun continued to blaze down onto the wonderfully green surface of King George’s. A lacklustre ten minutes, possession constantly switched from the attacking-minded Casuals to the organised visitors. Jordan Clarke has happy memories playing against Godalming as the winger netted a sublime free-kick at Wey Court earlier in the season, and was looking to play a part in the opening goal. Terrorizing the flanks, Clarke and Oldham were Corinthians’ main source of attack whilst Godalming had no.10 Darren Wheeler as their only opportunity. The forward attempted to defeat Danny Bracken with a deft chip, but the ball comfortably sailed over. In the 27th minute, Godalming’s Chris Wales tripped the trickster Clarke and needlessly gave away a penalty. Shaun Okojie took the responsibility of the spot-kick and composedly fired the ball down the middle, evading the gloves of Godalming’s no.1.
Casuals didn’t even give the travelling side the time to re-organise after the opener, with Jamie Byatt racing down the wing before powering the ball into the bottom corner. Unfortunately for ‘Busy’ it didn’t go that smoothly as the left-back would have to settle with an assist- his shot was actually palmed into the path of Okojie, to volley home with his left. It was thirty-two league goals for Super Shaun, although credit should also be given to Byatt after a terrific build-up. It was an electrifying two goals in two minutes.
Clarke was operating on the wing again in the thirty-second minute when he magnificently floated the ball into the area for Shaun Okojie. The striker was in the right place at the right time again; the 6ft 2in marksman glanced the ball past the keeper and into the net. Pointing to his colleague Clarke, Okojie hugged his team-mate with a massive grin as Casuals furthered their superiority. It was 3-0, and Okojie had scored the perfect hat-trick: A left-footed strike, a right-footed strike, and a header!
Okojie was in stunning form and could be likened to the menacing Alien in the Ridley Scott trilogy… lurking in-between the lines before clinically attacking and succeeding... Shaun was ruthlessly hunting for his fourth victim when he was brought back down to earth by goalkeeper Oneal Garnes, who unfairly tackled the striker without winning the ball. Okojie was certainly going to score as he was clean through on goal, so there was only one outcome to Garnes’ mistimed challenge. The referee awarded Casuals the free-kick and reached for the red card out of his pocket. Godalming were down to ten men and were forced to utilize outfield substitute Tom Webb, who courageously wore the no.1 jersey. Clarke took the set-piece, but his effort was well-saved by Webb. Moments before the referee blew for half-time, James Bracken made an early substitution as the cold-blooded Okojie was tactically rested.
The second-half was greeted by a Casuals change as Reyon Dillon took the place of Jordan Clarke, who is another possible starter for the Greenwich game. Josh Gallagher was actively pushing for the fourth goal early in the second-half and the energetic midfielder was taken down by the hasty Carl Gastang, which resulted in another penalty. With Okojie off the pitch, Jamie Byatt grabbed the ball and took the spot-kick. The fans favourite rifled the ball just wide from twelve yards out, but the left-back courageously picked himself up and continued. In the 51st minute, Max Oldham was relentlessly attempting to cause havoc in the Godalming ranks. The no.11 turned a full-back and fizzed an intelligent cross to sub Shaun Brown. Brown nabbed the ball into the roof of the net and Corinth had their fourth.
Three minutes later, Ben Cheklit was on the scoresheet. Shaun Brown was attacking again, and forced Webb to dive to his right. The inexperienced keeper couldn’t get a firm grip on the ball and allowed Cheklit to simply tap it in. The midfielder notched his second of the season, his first goal for the first-team since October 2016.
The remaining thirty-six minutes saw Godalming score a consolation goal out of nothing- William Efambe netted in the sixty-eighth minute. Casuals’ half-hearted search for the elusive sixth goal saw a Cheklit shot fly straight into the gloves of Webb and a near wonder-goal from Dillon. The referee’s whistle at full-time was drowned out by the non-stop chanting of the ecstatic supporters behind the goal.
Corinthians exited King George’s with a 5-1 victory and a solid fourth place spot due to Greenwich’s 4-0 thrashing of Guernsey. Table toppers Tooting & Mitcham and second-place Dorking Wanderers clashed at Westhumble, which saw Dorking win 1-0, but miss out on first-place. Congratulations to Tooting for winning the Ryman Division One South, and we wish them the best in the Premier Division. “Greenwich Borough, we’re coming for you!” were the words of the Casuals contingent at full-time; Corinth face the Borough at the DGS Stadium on Tuesday evening in the play-off semi-final. We hope to see you there! Vai Corinthians!
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