Corinthian-Casuals 3 - 3 Horley Town
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 21st December 2024
Report and Pics - Stuart Tree (full set here)
More photos from Andy Nunn here.
Back in the eighties, the late Jimmy Greaves coined the phrase “a game of two halves” – an idiom to describe a half of wonderous glory followed by self-destruction, or vice-versa. For instance, being 3-0 up at half time only to be pegged back by your opponents, a la Milan in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, when Gerrard’s Liverpool made an astonishing comeback.
Now, I’m not comparing Casuals to Milan here – certainly not on the rough playing surface of King George’s at the moment. But when Horley Town’s Mason Seagroatt completed an unforeseeable comeback in the 93rd minute, Casuals would’ve been glad that the tie didn’t go to penalties and George Hyde in the Town goal, didn’t get to perform ‘spaghetti legs’.
But it was an astounding turnaround of events considering the dominance of Casuals in the first half. Though six goals in this fixture was never off the cards since the reverse match at the ironically-named New Defence saw nine goals shipped in all – with Casuals taking it 5-4.
Back to Saturday and Mu Maan’s side were looking to turnaround a very disappointing result at a bleak Chipstead in the week, where he expressed his frustration at conceding three goals. It couldn’t happen again! Could it? When Casuals produced a first half performance of such pleasure to fully redeem themselves, talk was of ‘clean sheets’ and ‘score six to fully send a message’. Oh Casuals – the tumultuous life we lead together.
Hero of the first 45 minutes was Diogo Da Silva – Casuals’ top scorer, who added a further three to this season’s tally, bringing the Brazilian to eleven and overtaking Kieron Cadogan in the process. He was faultless from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, following up with a goal, direct from his corner and finally, finishing off a beautiful Cadogan pass to give Corinth their most comfortable half-time lead this season. It could’ve been more with other set pieces flashing agonisingly close amongst other dangerous plays.
But it will remain a mystery as to what happened in the break. Was it all too easy? Did Horley think ‘get one early and it’s game on’? Perhaps a combination of both and when Casuals’ defence failed to reach the heights of Seagroatt’s header, five minutes after the break, it truly was ‘game on’!
Truth be-told, Casuals could’ve put the game to bed shortly after, with Hyde thwarting Cadogan’s neat trickery with a top save to his left.
But for the most part, it was one-way traffic with only one side looking hungry for the win. Horley pressed and split open a gaping hole in the defence, allowing Ben Senior the freedom of Tolworth to really pile the pressure on the home side. Had it not been for u18’s stopper David Wloch in goal, Horley would’ve found parity sooner than they did. The highlight of a string of saves was a full stretch one-handed tip onto the post to keep the score down.
It was baffling to watch though. A side with so much talent appeared to have forgotten how to play football. Clearances were hurried. Play was rushed. Defenders looked desperate to get the ball away from their feet as soon as possible. It only led to more and more pressure and, as we could all see coming, it finally broke – with Seagroatt completing the fully deserved comeback in stoppage time.
It’ll be interesting to see how Maan and his team address the situation; A playoff place is increasingly unlikely and relegation isn’t even a thought. But does this lead to complacency and apathy, the likes of which manifested itself with that second half performance? With just ten games left this season (which is utter madness in itself having four months of the season remaining), are Casuals ‘on the beach’? Post turkey redemption awaits.
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 21st December 2024
Report and Pics - Stuart Tree (full set here)
More photos from Andy Nunn here.
Back in the eighties, the late Jimmy Greaves coined the phrase “a game of two halves” – an idiom to describe a half of wonderous glory followed by self-destruction, or vice-versa. For instance, being 3-0 up at half time only to be pegged back by your opponents, a la Milan in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, when Gerrard’s Liverpool made an astonishing comeback.
Now, I’m not comparing Casuals to Milan here – certainly not on the rough playing surface of King George’s at the moment. But when Horley Town’s Mason Seagroatt completed an unforeseeable comeback in the 93rd minute, Casuals would’ve been glad that the tie didn’t go to penalties and George Hyde in the Town goal, didn’t get to perform ‘spaghetti legs’.
But it was an astounding turnaround of events considering the dominance of Casuals in the first half. Though six goals in this fixture was never off the cards since the reverse match at the ironically-named New Defence saw nine goals shipped in all – with Casuals taking it 5-4.
Back to Saturday and Mu Maan’s side were looking to turnaround a very disappointing result at a bleak Chipstead in the week, where he expressed his frustration at conceding three goals. It couldn’t happen again! Could it? When Casuals produced a first half performance of such pleasure to fully redeem themselves, talk was of ‘clean sheets’ and ‘score six to fully send a message’. Oh Casuals – the tumultuous life we lead together.
Hero of the first 45 minutes was Diogo Da Silva – Casuals’ top scorer, who added a further three to this season’s tally, bringing the Brazilian to eleven and overtaking Kieron Cadogan in the process. He was faultless from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, following up with a goal, direct from his corner and finally, finishing off a beautiful Cadogan pass to give Corinth their most comfortable half-time lead this season. It could’ve been more with other set pieces flashing agonisingly close amongst other dangerous plays.
But it will remain a mystery as to what happened in the break. Was it all too easy? Did Horley think ‘get one early and it’s game on’? Perhaps a combination of both and when Casuals’ defence failed to reach the heights of Seagroatt’s header, five minutes after the break, it truly was ‘game on’!
Truth be-told, Casuals could’ve put the game to bed shortly after, with Hyde thwarting Cadogan’s neat trickery with a top save to his left.
But for the most part, it was one-way traffic with only one side looking hungry for the win. Horley pressed and split open a gaping hole in the defence, allowing Ben Senior the freedom of Tolworth to really pile the pressure on the home side. Had it not been for u18’s stopper David Wloch in goal, Horley would’ve found parity sooner than they did. The highlight of a string of saves was a full stretch one-handed tip onto the post to keep the score down.
It was baffling to watch though. A side with so much talent appeared to have forgotten how to play football. Clearances were hurried. Play was rushed. Defenders looked desperate to get the ball away from their feet as soon as possible. It only led to more and more pressure and, as we could all see coming, it finally broke – with Seagroatt completing the fully deserved comeback in stoppage time.
It’ll be interesting to see how Maan and his team address the situation; A playoff place is increasingly unlikely and relegation isn’t even a thought. But does this lead to complacency and apathy, the likes of which manifested itself with that second half performance? With just ten games left this season (which is utter madness in itself having four months of the season remaining), are Casuals ‘on the beach’? Post turkey redemption awaits.
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