Whyteleafe 2 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 11th September 2018
Report: Stuart Tree. Photos: Andy Nunn (full set here)
Corinthian-Casuals and the FA Cup. There’s something about this competition that doesn’t sit well with the Amateurs. Is it punishment for our forefathers declining participation in this most famous competition in its formative years? Of course not, but just six wins in the Cup in seventeen years isn’t a record to boast about. It seems, even under Manager James Bracken, who’s broken records and brought success to King George’s, isn’t infallible to the ‘Casuals FA Cup Curse’– winning just three times in four seasons.
And so that curse was to strike again. It almost had on the previous Saturday, when Bracken admitted his side had been fortuitous in getting a replay. Following a 0-0 stalemate, the two teams would once again face-off to find out who’d be meeting National League South outfit St Alban’s City in the next round.
Bracken understandably made changes from the first match. In came Mu Maan and Warren Morgan for Callum McAllister and Jack Tucker respectively. The makeshift front line remained unchanged with five forwards still absent. Gabriel Odunaike and Warren Mfula suspended whilst last season’s top scorer Max Oldham, Josh Uzun and Reyon Dillon work their way back to fitness.
Both sides started with the intention of getting this replay done and dusted in the first half, with frenetic pace and intensity. Whyteleafe’s Eddie Dsane, who’s into double figures for scoring already this season looking lively all game.
The closest chance to breaking the deadlock fell to Casuals’ Jack Strange. A Coskun Ekim corner was powerfully met by Strange whose header smacked the underside of the crossbar and bounced just the wrong side of the line. Calls for VAR at Church Road rang out.
In a tie that had seen zero goals in 118 minutes of play, it was therefore no surprise to see the first goal come via the penalty spot. Juevan Spencer’s mazy run into the box ended with his cross which was steered behind by Bentley Graham’s arm. The official pointed to the spot – perhaps harshly considering the proximity of the Leafe midfielder, and Danny Cunningham converted, much to the delight of the noisy travelling faithful.
There was perhaps time for one more chance before the break. Ekim’s wicked free kick was tipped around the post by Tyler McCarthy.
Buoyed by the lead, Casuals should’ve emerged for the second half, looking to finish off the tie. It never happened.
Naturally, Leafe were going to push forward for an equaliser and Dan Hector, along with DSane had the pedigree and pace to put the Corinth back line under pressure for sustained periods. Matters weren’t helped by a referee who was happy to whistle at every available opportunity along with an assistant who attempted to outdo his comrade with his flag. It was a shame, considering the game was played at a furious pace despite every attempt by the officials to slow things down.
The real turning point in the match came with another awarding of a penalty. Same box, same infringement, same result. A Leafe free kick slammed into the two man wall with the referee again harshly adjudging that it had unfairly struck an arm. DSane levelled the scores from the resultant penalty on the hour mark.
Leafe took a firm grip on the game, searching for a winner. They bossed the midfield and limited Casuals to rare breaks. If they’d had their shooting boots on, it could’ve been over before the 90 minute mark. As it was, they left it late. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the box when two players tumbled together. At first, the referee appeared to let play continue and turned to his assistant for guidance, though none was forthcoming. So it was a surprise when he indicated that there had been an infringement. Up stepped DSane who neatly whipped it low into the far corner, just out of the reach of Brad Comins.
The goal came in the 90th minute but there was time for an unsavoury moment to add unnecessary bite to the tie. A throw in was awarded to Casuals but the home bench refused to provide a replacement ball in unfortunate time-wasting tactics. Cue tempers flaring which was exacerbated by the apparent act of couple of home youth/squad players who’d jumped the barricades and lashed out. A melee ensued and took several minutes to calm down. Tempers were still high when Warren Morgan’s late challenge resulted in a second booking and left Casuals with 10 men. It was an unfortunate end to a tie in which a number of neutrals agreed had been a good advert for the game.
Casuals weren’t good enough for large spells across both ties and the Bostik South East side deserved their win on the balance of play across 180 minutes. Whyteleafe will do well under Harry Hudson this season if these two matches are anything to go by and if they’re able to keep hold of a player in Eddie DSane who'll will surely attract attention from leagues above. This was a real blooded cup tie that was played with good intensity and in a great atmosphere. It’s just a shame we didn’t win!
There’s definitely a trait seen too often by Casuals when facing opposition that, on paper, should be beaten. The performances in these two matches have fallen far too short of what we know is capable by this side. Bracken will have to address the poor form quickly as we resume our Bostik League Premier campaign on Saturday, away to Harlow Town. We wish Whyteleafe the very best of luck in the next round at St Albans.
Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 11th September 2018
Report: Stuart Tree. Photos: Andy Nunn (full set here)
Corinthian-Casuals and the FA Cup. There’s something about this competition that doesn’t sit well with the Amateurs. Is it punishment for our forefathers declining participation in this most famous competition in its formative years? Of course not, but just six wins in the Cup in seventeen years isn’t a record to boast about. It seems, even under Manager James Bracken, who’s broken records and brought success to King George’s, isn’t infallible to the ‘Casuals FA Cup Curse’– winning just three times in four seasons.
And so that curse was to strike again. It almost had on the previous Saturday, when Bracken admitted his side had been fortuitous in getting a replay. Following a 0-0 stalemate, the two teams would once again face-off to find out who’d be meeting National League South outfit St Alban’s City in the next round.
Bracken understandably made changes from the first match. In came Mu Maan and Warren Morgan for Callum McAllister and Jack Tucker respectively. The makeshift front line remained unchanged with five forwards still absent. Gabriel Odunaike and Warren Mfula suspended whilst last season’s top scorer Max Oldham, Josh Uzun and Reyon Dillon work their way back to fitness.
Both sides started with the intention of getting this replay done and dusted in the first half, with frenetic pace and intensity. Whyteleafe’s Eddie Dsane, who’s into double figures for scoring already this season looking lively all game.
The closest chance to breaking the deadlock fell to Casuals’ Jack Strange. A Coskun Ekim corner was powerfully met by Strange whose header smacked the underside of the crossbar and bounced just the wrong side of the line. Calls for VAR at Church Road rang out.
In a tie that had seen zero goals in 118 minutes of play, it was therefore no surprise to see the first goal come via the penalty spot. Juevan Spencer’s mazy run into the box ended with his cross which was steered behind by Bentley Graham’s arm. The official pointed to the spot – perhaps harshly considering the proximity of the Leafe midfielder, and Danny Cunningham converted, much to the delight of the noisy travelling faithful.
There was perhaps time for one more chance before the break. Ekim’s wicked free kick was tipped around the post by Tyler McCarthy.
Buoyed by the lead, Casuals should’ve emerged for the second half, looking to finish off the tie. It never happened.
Naturally, Leafe were going to push forward for an equaliser and Dan Hector, along with DSane had the pedigree and pace to put the Corinth back line under pressure for sustained periods. Matters weren’t helped by a referee who was happy to whistle at every available opportunity along with an assistant who attempted to outdo his comrade with his flag. It was a shame, considering the game was played at a furious pace despite every attempt by the officials to slow things down.
The real turning point in the match came with another awarding of a penalty. Same box, same infringement, same result. A Leafe free kick slammed into the two man wall with the referee again harshly adjudging that it had unfairly struck an arm. DSane levelled the scores from the resultant penalty on the hour mark.
Leafe took a firm grip on the game, searching for a winner. They bossed the midfield and limited Casuals to rare breaks. If they’d had their shooting boots on, it could’ve been over before the 90 minute mark. As it was, they left it late. A free kick was awarded on the edge of the box when two players tumbled together. At first, the referee appeared to let play continue and turned to his assistant for guidance, though none was forthcoming. So it was a surprise when he indicated that there had been an infringement. Up stepped DSane who neatly whipped it low into the far corner, just out of the reach of Brad Comins.
The goal came in the 90th minute but there was time for an unsavoury moment to add unnecessary bite to the tie. A throw in was awarded to Casuals but the home bench refused to provide a replacement ball in unfortunate time-wasting tactics. Cue tempers flaring which was exacerbated by the apparent act of couple of home youth/squad players who’d jumped the barricades and lashed out. A melee ensued and took several minutes to calm down. Tempers were still high when Warren Morgan’s late challenge resulted in a second booking and left Casuals with 10 men. It was an unfortunate end to a tie in which a number of neutrals agreed had been a good advert for the game.
Casuals weren’t good enough for large spells across both ties and the Bostik South East side deserved their win on the balance of play across 180 minutes. Whyteleafe will do well under Harry Hudson this season if these two matches are anything to go by and if they’re able to keep hold of a player in Eddie DSane who'll will surely attract attention from leagues above. This was a real blooded cup tie that was played with good intensity and in a great atmosphere. It’s just a shame we didn’t win!
There’s definitely a trait seen too often by Casuals when facing opposition that, on paper, should be beaten. The performances in these two matches have fallen far too short of what we know is capable by this side. Bracken will have to address the poor form quickly as we resume our Bostik League Premier campaign on Saturday, away to Harlow Town. We wish Whyteleafe the very best of luck in the next round at St Albans.
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