ABBEY ROAD TO WEMBLEY CUT SHORT BY CASUALS

Abbey Rangers 2 - 4 Corinthian-Casuals
Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Saturday 2nd August 2025
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)
Additional photos from Andy Nunn and Harvey Abbott
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Corinthian-Casuals overcame the first hurdle of the FA Cup for the first time since 2021 with a fine 4-2 victory over fellow Combined Counties outfit Abbey Rangers.

Goals from Rae Bailey-Allen, Shea Cascoe-Rogers, Patrick Maia and a penalty from Andre Coker sealed the win at Addlestone Moor in front of a partisan Casuals crowd.

The win puts Casuals into the next round, knowing their opponents will be Sevenoaks Town – who boast former Corinth favourite Warren Mfula in their side.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for Mu Maan’s Casuals; following a stalemate at half time, Maan made bold changes to his attacking line, but succumbed to a well crafted Rangers set-piece, nodding home a header.

Not letting Rangers settle into protecting a 1-0 lead, Casuals pressed and Arsenii Protsyshyn pushed forward from left back and delivered a dangerous ball that Abbey fluffed, with Rae Bailey-Allen bundling the loose ball over the line.

Having made a bold five substitutions, Casuals were left exposed should injury arise… and thus it did. Cascoe-Rogers took a nasty knock and limped on, though was in the right place at the right time to fire home for Casuals. If his ankle wasn’t bad before, Marcos Dos Santos’ leapfrog onto the back of the winger saw him crumple to the floor… shades of Tony Adams and Steve Morrow.

With the game opening up, Casuals looked dangerous on every mission moving forward. Andre Coker’s shot was well saved but the rebound fell kindly to Maia, who hit home from ten yards.

Coker was the instrument for the fourth – bundled in the box, he dusted himself off to convert the spot kick. This was Corinth’s day.

Abbey struck a late, late consolation to deathly silence before the curtain came down on a fine afternoon for all who travelled the short distance to Addlestone.

“I'm delighted,” said Manager Mu Maan following the full time whistle.

“Though it wasn’t the greatest of spectacles, to be honest. But like I just said to the boys, a sign of a good team is winning when you don't perform to your maximum standard.

“We went more attacking in the second half. But that just highlights the depth that we have in the squad to be bringing on players that that can make a difference.

“I think they've definitely had us watched, and I think a lot of teams will have us watch this year.

“Testament to Shea, because he looked like he’s picked up a bad ankle injury. But he carried on, and he got rewarded for staying on the pitch with that goal. And the game opened up after we scored the second goal. Naturally, Abbey Rangers were chasing the game.

“I’m really pleased with our attacking options. And today was with Rafa missing as well. Like I said, we've got a lot of depth this year.

“Who knows? It could be a fun cup run. I fancy anyone in opposition on our day. We can go toe-to-toe with whoever we get. We showed that at Basingstoke. I know that was pre-season but it showed what we have here. I’ve full faith and confidence in the boys that on our day we can get a positive result against higher opposition.”