Corinthian-Casuals 2-0 Balham
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Tuesday 29 October 2024
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn (full set here)
What may be a time of horror and fright for some is becoming a memorable spell for Corinthian-Casuals, as the week began with a bang.
The Armada Group Stadium at King George’s Field has been somewhat of a haunted house at times for Casuals this season, however recent performances have treated home fans to the taste of sweet victory. It’s now three in the last four at home, after fireworks against Abbey Rangers and Spelthorne Sports, and going spine-tinglingly close to a result against Tadley Calleva.
Mu Maan was looking to cast his three-point spell once again, aiming for a victory that would well and truly blow away the cobwebs of our recent winless run. Aiding his mission, the comeback of Emerson Pilonetto to the left-hand side, who terrifies any opposition with his lightning pace.
There was almost a costume clash for the occasion, but the kits were just about different enough for the game to go ahead. The visitors in deep red began the faster, but Casuals came close with an early Diogo da Silva free kick that was inches from creeping into the top corner.
It was a cagey first half under the blanket of darkness, and Maan looked to turn the tide by swapping Shea Cascoe-Rogers and Trey Masikini on the flanks. The decision almost paid off immediately as Cascoe-Rogers fed Hakeem Adelakun, whose piledriver just narrowly sailed over the crossbar. Casuals were knocking on the door…
As the half wore on, Balham looked in grave danger of conceding. It would be Masikini who found that breakthrough just three minutes before the break as The Blazers’ defence failed to clear from a maul of bodies, and the No7 pounced upon the loose ball and applied the killer touch. A perfect end to the half.
Corinthian-Casuals haven’t often led at the break in the recent weeks, but nevertheless, work was still required to wrap up this one.
After notching just before half time, it looked as though a second was just around the corner. Much to the fear of the Balham defence, Shea ghosted past the back four once again and unleashed a stinger which fell kindly to the feet of Kieron Cadogan, who accepted the invitation to tuck into the back of the net – yet the assistant referee had his flag up on the far side, not for the first nor the last time.
The Casuals faithful turned the ground into a cauldron of noise as the home side continued to ask all the questions. Moments later, the nail was in the coffin when Diogo Da Silva – the man in form at the moment – swept home Cadogan’s cross to send the home support into raptures.
At the other end, Sami Nabbad was in fine form again, pulling off a fine double save to prevent Balham from clawing one back. The ball ricocheted off Matt Kellett-Smith who would’ve had a scare, but Nabbad tipped it off the line before hurriedly shutting out the rebound from Omario Stewart.
It was a near-perfect evening for Casuals, marred only by the harsh sending off Masikini in the final knockings of normal time. After what looked certain to be a Corinthian free-kick in the far corner, the goalscorer slid in to win the ball back but the referee deemed it to be a red card. An unwanted trick at the end of a night of treats, which included a late debut for Casuals youth graduate Ogbeifun Ojo-Osagie.
Corinthian-Casuals: Nabbad, Gjoshe, Pilonetto (Ojo-Osagie 90+2), Adelakun (Ewerthon 73), Kellett-Smith, Protsyshyn, Masikini, M Dos Santos, Cadogan (Barbosa 74), Da Silva (J Dos Santos 84), Cascoe-Rogers (Brown 63)
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Tuesday 29 October 2024
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn (full set here)
What may be a time of horror and fright for some is becoming a memorable spell for Corinthian-Casuals, as the week began with a bang.
The Armada Group Stadium at King George’s Field has been somewhat of a haunted house at times for Casuals this season, however recent performances have treated home fans to the taste of sweet victory. It’s now three in the last four at home, after fireworks against Abbey Rangers and Spelthorne Sports, and going spine-tinglingly close to a result against Tadley Calleva.
Mu Maan was looking to cast his three-point spell once again, aiming for a victory that would well and truly blow away the cobwebs of our recent winless run. Aiding his mission, the comeback of Emerson Pilonetto to the left-hand side, who terrifies any opposition with his lightning pace.
There was almost a costume clash for the occasion, but the kits were just about different enough for the game to go ahead. The visitors in deep red began the faster, but Casuals came close with an early Diogo da Silva free kick that was inches from creeping into the top corner.
It was a cagey first half under the blanket of darkness, and Maan looked to turn the tide by swapping Shea Cascoe-Rogers and Trey Masikini on the flanks. The decision almost paid off immediately as Cascoe-Rogers fed Hakeem Adelakun, whose piledriver just narrowly sailed over the crossbar. Casuals were knocking on the door…
As the half wore on, Balham looked in grave danger of conceding. It would be Masikini who found that breakthrough just three minutes before the break as The Blazers’ defence failed to clear from a maul of bodies, and the No7 pounced upon the loose ball and applied the killer touch. A perfect end to the half.
Corinthian-Casuals haven’t often led at the break in the recent weeks, but nevertheless, work was still required to wrap up this one.
After notching just before half time, it looked as though a second was just around the corner. Much to the fear of the Balham defence, Shea ghosted past the back four once again and unleashed a stinger which fell kindly to the feet of Kieron Cadogan, who accepted the invitation to tuck into the back of the net – yet the assistant referee had his flag up on the far side, not for the first nor the last time.
The Casuals faithful turned the ground into a cauldron of noise as the home side continued to ask all the questions. Moments later, the nail was in the coffin when Diogo Da Silva – the man in form at the moment – swept home Cadogan’s cross to send the home support into raptures.
At the other end, Sami Nabbad was in fine form again, pulling off a fine double save to prevent Balham from clawing one back. The ball ricocheted off Matt Kellett-Smith who would’ve had a scare, but Nabbad tipped it off the line before hurriedly shutting out the rebound from Omario Stewart.
It was a near-perfect evening for Casuals, marred only by the harsh sending off Masikini in the final knockings of normal time. After what looked certain to be a Corinthian free-kick in the far corner, the goalscorer slid in to win the ball back but the referee deemed it to be a red card. An unwanted trick at the end of a night of treats, which included a late debut for Casuals youth graduate Ogbeifun Ojo-Osagie.
Corinthian-Casuals: Nabbad, Gjoshe, Pilonetto (Ojo-Osagie 90+2), Adelakun (Ewerthon 73), Kellett-Smith, Protsyshyn, Masikini, M Dos Santos, Cadogan (Barbosa 74), Da Silva (J Dos Santos 84), Cascoe-Rogers (Brown 63)
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