Horsham 2– 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 25th February 2017
Match Report: Cameron Smith:  Photo Stuart Tree (full set HERE)

Two lightning-quick goals inside three second-half minutes thwarted Corinthian Casuals’ promotion-push as mid-table Horsham won 2-0 at the overcast Goring’s Mead.

Tucked away in the west of Sussex, Horsham FC fell victim to a late Jamie Byatt winner during the reverse fixture in November 2016, but hoped to claim three points after six games without a win. Corinthians, who would be regarded as the favourites, were recovering from a devastating 3-0 loss to Faversham Town last week. A starting XI littered with changes, James Bracken hoped to inject hope back into the play-off campaign despite injuries and absentees. Josh Gallagher was forced to don the no.2 shirt at right-back whilst Juevan Spencer was in the left-back spot. Newbie Dan Summers was benched ahead of Ben Cheklit.

In the first-half, the pink and brown strips of Casuals started the brightest as the yellow shirts of Horsham was forced to retain possession and defend. Danny Dudley, who had a yellow card to his name inside the first five minutes, had a header collected by keeper Josh Pelling. Magnificent play from Mahrez Bettache saw the midfield maestro delightfully dance past the Hornets left-back before using the outside of his boot to curl a cross towards the six yard box. The chance was convincingly cleared as the score was still goalless. The opening proceedings concluded with the score 0-0 as Mu Maan’s diving header and Horsham’s only chance (in which Casuals booted the ball off the line) were not converted.

As the referee re-started the match, Corinth fans gathered in Horsham’s carpark to stand behind the goal and support their team. The contingent were nearly rewarded when Shaun Okojie was allowed through on goal. The striker slotted the ball towards the corner but a confident punch from Pelling eliminated danger. Or did it? The ball fell perfectly at the feet of Ben Cheklit but the winger agonisingly sent an effort just wide of the post. In the 60th minute substitute Tony Nwachukwu capitalised on Terry Murray’s failed clearance with a sweet finish, to make it 1-0 Horsham. The hosts had undeservedly taken the lead. Picking themselves back up, Casuals attempted to insert more creativity with the substitution of Dan Summers. However, the striker could not make an instant impact due to Horsham’s quick attacking play. Sprinting down the wing, a yellow shirt crossed for the dangerous Nwachukwu in the area, who controlled before slamming the ball past Bracken and into the net. It was 2-0.

Half-chances for both sides saw the remaining twenty-seven minutes seep down the drain. With the referee concluding the game, the dejected Corinthians applauded their away support and drove back to Tolworth.
Before Dorking Wanderers visit King George’s, a trip to Cray is next on the agenda- Wednesday 1st. Thank you to Horsham FC for their wonderful hospitality and we hope to see them next year!

Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree after the match:
“Sometimes football is cruel. For the first hour of the match today, we were by far the better side. We created the better chances. Mu Maan himself has had six shots on his own. We’ve had over a dozen efforts on goal in that period of time. At 0-0, we missed an absolute sitter in front of an open goal. They go and score straight after that. If we take that gilt-edged chance, we probably end up running out comfortable winners.”
“Their manager said to us afterwards that we didn’t deserve that result and he’s right. We didn’t deserve to lose. But that’s football. You don’t always get what you deserve week-in, week-out. But over the course of the season, you do.”
 
“We’ve got eleven games left and sit just outside the playoffs. If we finish outside the playoffs, then we haven’t been good enough. If we can get in those spots, then of course, we have been good enough.”
 
“It’s up to us now. One result doesn’t make a season but tally those up and you get what you deserve. We need to make sure we push for the playoffs on a good run of form, which we’ll have to show in order to get there.”
 
“All of these games are tough. Cray, Dorking Wanderers, Hastings… there’s a number of them coming up. This was the game that lead to a tough run. We haven’t made it easy on ourselves coming into this period and probably put more pressure on than we’d have liked. But saying that, in the seven games before Christmas, where we looked at the fixtures and happily accepted six points from those games, we went and won all of them.”
 
“So, don’t write us off just yet. We’re still buoyant. We’re still ready. I don’t think we’re out of this at all. Today was a tough one to swallow because we should be winning those. It’s not a case of turning up and playing badly… we played relatively well for the first hour, conceded two poor goals, not taken our chances and hence lost 2-0.”
 

Faversham Town 3– 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 18th February 2017
Match Report: Cameron Smith

​On a mild Saturday afternoon in Kent, the efficient Faversham Town grabbed three points in a 3-0 victory versus an unfortunate Corinthian Casuals side at Salters Lane.
Following Wednesday’s terrific performance in Guernsey, Casuals jumped on the coach for a 67 mile trip to Faversham in attempt to boost their standing in the table, which delegated them in the all-important play-offs. Salters Lane (also known as the Shepherd Neame Stadium) had been an enjoyable journey for Corinthians last season as Jamie Byatt’s sublime lob on his return to Casuals sealed a 2-1 win. The last encounter between Faversham and Casuals was in October 2016 when both teams were unable to break the deadlock in a 0-0 stalemate. Hoping to defeat Casuals for the first time in five meetings, the Lilywhites were comfortably positioned in mid-table.
Corinth boss James Bracken left new recruit Dan Summers upfront alongside Shaun Okojie, perhaps hoping a deadly partnership would ensue. Suspended Jack Strange was replaced by Terry Murray at centre-back as well as Warren Morgan returning to right-back. Benched, Jordan Clarke sat out ahead of Mahrez Bettache, who returned from injury.
The white shirts of Faversham swarmed the chocolate and pink Casuals players from the off and were rewarded for their early dominance in the fourth minute. Whites’ no.4 Daniel Carrington burst into the area before unselfishly feeding his team-mate on the left flank. The winger whipped a low cross into the area but his assist was intervened by the sliding tackle of Terry Murray. With the rebound falling at the feet of Carrington, Faversham were 1-0 up thanks to their masterful midfielder, who oozed confidence when slotting home. The rest of the first-half was a cluster of half-chances for the hosts as Casuals struggled to get a grip on the game. A scuffed effort from Bettache was the away side’s only opportunity whilst Faversham had multiple efforts that were either high or wide of the goal.
When Corinth returned to the pitch for the second-half, they had a sense of urgency and creativity that was lacking in the first 45. Coskun Eskim and Dave Hodges continued their strong performances,  and when Josh Uzun was substituted on, Casuals looked likely to grab an equaliser. Their golden opportunity arrived when Summers’ free-kick was blocked before being regenerated by Warren Morgan on the wing. The energetic full-back chipped the ball across goal for Okojie at the back post but somehow the striker’s acrobatic volley evaded the goal. Another chance was not converted when no.8 Mu Maan fired a powerful effort a few yards over the bar in an agonising period of missed opportunities.
Casuals would rue these chances as a goal-kick from keeper William Goodman set up Luke Harvey to glance into the far corner with a terrific header. Appeals for a foul on Danny Dudley were waved away and Faversham scored another to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute. Ten minutes later, the Whites flattened any chance of a Corinth comeback when Jordan Casey hammered a free-kick past the wall and into the top corner; Danny Bracken was helpless as he could only watch the ball fly in. Faversham couldn’t make it four despite a few half-chances as the final whistle blew- it was 3-0 to the hosts.
An inspired start to the second-half, there were a few spells in the game where Casuals thrived but overall, it was a well-deserved victory for Faversham Town, who still sit in eleventh place. Corinth have their third consecutive away journey next week as Horsham await James Bracken and the team. Will Casuals be able to pick themselves up and return to winning ways?

Guernsey 1 – 4 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Wednesday 15th February 2017
Match Report: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals left the Channel Island of Guernsey with a comprehensive 4-1 victory and three points in the luggage hold to reclaim a playoff spot in the Ryman League Division One South.

Thanks to a combination of super strikes and goalkeeping mishaps, the scoreline was emphatic. However, the run of play suggested that the game could’ve been a little less harsh on the hosts.

Travelling without key players in Josh Uzun, Jamie Byatt, Josh Gallagher and Maz Bettache, James Bracken was still able to call upon a strong line-up bolstered by the new signing of top marksman Dan Summers.

The original fixture, back on December 30th was postponed due to fog at Gatwick, leaving Casuals with a six hour wait at the airport. Thankfully, clearer skies didn’t hamper their journey although hearts were in mouths just 30 seconds into the match when half of the Footes Lane floodlights failed. Following a brief discussion, the officials concluded the light was sufficient to continue and the game could be played to a conclusion.

The youthful Green Lions started brightly and Danny Bracken had to be alert to the danger of Paris Pereria, saving at the striker’s feet.

But it only took quarter of an hour for Casuals to take the lead. Shaun Okojie latched onto a Jordan Clarke cross and his header found the target on Corinth’s first meaningful attack.

Twelve minutes later and the scoreline was doubled in calamitous fashion. Young keeper, Josh Addison completely misjudged a speculative long ball into the box from Juevan Spencer. The lofted pass sailed over his head and into an empty net, gifting the visitors a memento worth more to the Casuals than anything sold in the island’s souvenir shops.

Truth be told, it was a fairly lacklustre first half with minimal chances for either side. Summers came closest to adding a third when he latched onto a ball over the top, knocked his strike past Addison but cleared off the line. Guernsey had a handball shout turned down on the stroke of half time.

Casuals had to soak up some pressure from their hosts in the early stages of the second half but once again, fifteen minutes in and Addison gifted Casuals a third. An innocuous goal kick was miss-hit straight to Okojie who ran on and slotted into an empty net, leaving the out-of-position keeper grabbing thin air.

Two minutes later and Guernsey were in danger of being on the receiving end of a rout. Mu Maan picked up the ball from 25 yards out and smashed a shot into the top corner for what was the pick of the goals.

Realistically, with only pride to play for, Guernsey came out of their shell and imposed themselves on the game with more determination. Bracken, relatively quiet in the match, had to be alert to save low from Robbie Legg. Guernsey’s efforts paid off on 77 minutes when Matt Loaring converted a pass in the box, taking a touch and slotting past Bracken who could do nothing to prevent the strike.
​
Casuals pushed forward again and substitute Max Oldham had two very good chances to equal the take Corinth’s goal tally to ten against Guernsey this season. Alas, the winger was unable to convert the chances, though Manager James Bracken won’t be too disappointed as he left the Island three points and plus three goal difference better off.

Corinthian-Casuals 2 - 2 Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 11th February 2017
Attendance: 140
Match report and pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Additional photos: Paul Downs (here)

Corinthian-Casuals Manager James Bracken was left furious after an ugly spitting incident marred a feisty 2-2 draw with relegation contenders Chatham Town in the Ryman League Division One South.

A stark contrast to the free-flowing, attacking football from both Casuals and East Grinstead on Tuesday night, Chatham travelled to King George’s in desperate search of a positive result as they sat eight points from safety. The Chats had only picked up one win in their last twenty league matches and had a proverbial mountain to climb taking on a side who are competing for playoffs, winning their last two, conceding none.

Casuals were without ever-present Josh Gallagher, who’d scored in the 4-1 reverse tie at the end of last year. Talisman Jamie Byatt was still nursing a hamstring strain. Mu Maan was given his first start since his return to King George’s Arena.

Chatham Manager Paul Piggott had spoken to the press just two days before, stating that he hoped new signing Chris Saunders can help Chatham develop a nasty streak. Those intentions were set out early when Saunders launched a harsh tackle on Mahrez Bettache (pic above) which left the midfielder nursing a bloody and swollen ankle. However, match official Andrew Williams felt that the Chats player only needed a talking to. Bettache was replaced by Jordan Clarke leaving the management to quickly alter plans.

Though Casuals started the brighter of the two sides, they found themselves one down after twenty minutes. A speculative ball over the top was misjudged by the Casuals defence and allowed Ricky Freeman to have a stab at goal. Though twenty yards out, keeper Danny Bracken will feel aggrieved that he could only parry the shot into his own net.

Corinth’s tempo began to rise and both Mu Maan and Coskun Ekim tested Alex Hyde in the Chatham goal – the stopper displaying some fine goalkeeping. Danny Dudley was close to replicating his midweek goal when Josh Uzun’s corner found the defender at the back post, but could only head over.

On 37 minutes, Casuals were level; the on-coming Hyde was deemed to upend Shaun Okojie and a penalty was awarded. Ever reliable Josh Uzun providing score line parity.

Corinth pushed on in the second half to find a winner and pressure built upon the resolute Chatham defence. Okojie went closest after a scramble in the box saw the striker’s shot pass agonisingly wide of the far post.

However, Uzun – a dead ball specialist once again showed why he’s trusted with the ball at his feet. A free kick was awarded near the corner flag and Uzun bent a wicked shot into the far corner, beating all who came near.

Celebrations didn’t last long though as Chatham, realising they have to open up to get something from the match ventured forward and won a corner. Casuals failed to clear and Freeman bagged his second of the game heading home at the far post.

Casuals luck almost went from bad to worse as successive slips in defence allowed Chatham to break free and only a last-ditch goal-line clearance from Juevan Spencer spared the blushes of all in chocolate and pink.

Then, things turned very ugly as Chatham full-back Abdul Lyoubi spat in the face of teenager Jack Strange in an off the ball incident. The defender was incensed as all 22 players came together. However, the despicable act was again unpunished by the officials. The offending player was quickly substituted knowing he’d dodged a bullet.

Okojie came closest to winning it for Casuals when his neat footwork allowed him to turn and shoot from 12 yards, but only found a thankful Hyde in goal. The two teams shared the points but tensions flared once again after the final whistle and Jack Strange was dismissed for swearing.

Casuals sit in seventh, one point outside the playoffs but with at least a game in hand on those above. Chatham claw a point towards safety, needing to make up at least eight points on Guernsey with twelve games to go.

“Disappointed with today. We should be beating teams like that. We have to be,” commented James Bracken after the match.

“Again, it’s another game where someone comes to us being ultra negative. They’ve had one attack, the ball over the top and one set piece and they’ve scored from them. It’s lapses in concentration from us in a game where we’ve totally dominated the ball against a side who are happy to try and survive.

“If they’d have got away with a 2-0 defeat here, they’ll probably go home quite happy. That’s the mentality they can have. Of course, it’s up to them to set themselves up that way. They got a point here which they needed but I won’t ever have that negative mentality.

“From us, it’s very frustrating. The referee hasn’t helped. He’s been weak throughout the game. The tackle from behind on Maz, where he’s had to limp off after ten minutes is at least a yellow card. Nothing is given and the boy goes on to do half a dozen bad challenges and doesn’t even get a caution. There’s a lad who’s deliberately stamped on someone’s hand as he’s run past them. Again… no punishment. He gets a booking at the last kick of the game but should’ve seen one in the first ten minutes.

“These decisions… if the referee clamps down on that early, takes charge and run the game as it should be, then the game is shaped differently. It becomes how a football match should be played rather than how they wanted to make it, which he allowed.

“Jack’s been spat at and it’s all over his face. Every player has seen it as well as the supporters. Their management and players have come over and apologised to me about it after the final whistle.

“So the officials know what’s going on. Their lad has spat in his face. He should’ve been sent off for a bad tackle alone but again, it’s weakness from the referee. He carries on without caution to then go on and spit in someone’s face. That’s unpunished again and truly sums it up when their manager immediately substitutes him knowing they’d got away with it.

“For me, the boy is scum. People who spit at others are scum. They shouldn't be anywhere near a football match.

“I also have no idea why Jack was shown a red card after the final whistle. Let’s get these facts right. Their number three hasn’t been sent off and sat in the dugout on the far side. He’s walked across the pitch, where after you spit in someone’s eye, you shouldn’t be anywhere near a football field, but he is. I didn’t see Jack go anywhere near him but the referee shows him a straight red card. It’s weak.”

orinthian-Casuals 2-0 East Grinstead Town
Ryman Division One South
Tuesday 7th February 2017
Match Report Cameron Smith: Photo Stuart Tree (Full set HERE)

Despite a cluster of missed chances in a ravenous second-half, Corinthian Casuals were able to cruise past East Grinstead Town with a deserved 2-0 scoreline to close the all-important play-off gap.

Insane celebrations in the Casuals end at Whyteleafe’s Church Road, via Jack Strange’s sublime glancing header saw Corinthians add three valuable points to the tally! In eighth place, Casuals returned to the inaugural King George’s for a replay against East Grinstead Town. On Tuesday 29th November 2016, the referee concluded the match in the 59th minute (scoreline at 0-0) due to a frozen surface. Diaries at the ready, the league announced that the re-match would take place in early February…

The white away shirts of East Grinstead Town dispersed across the pitch as their youthful side faced the chocolate and pink of Casuals. A jubilant Saturday was mutual for both Corinth and East Grinstead following the Wasps’ impressive 3-0 home victory over Molesey. Countering this on-form starting XI was an efficient and well-constructed team built by James Bracken; Warren Morgan was absent so the previously-suspended Juevan Spencer was drafted in once more. In attack, Josh Gallagher and Josh Uzun started ahead of Jordan Clarke and the injured Jamie Byatt (a hamstring strain).

It took six minutes for Casuals to find their feet and take advantage of the inexperienced defence of East Grinstead. Congested, both sides were lacking width so when Dave Hodges determinedly sprinted down the left flank, a great opportunity was created. Denied by the foot of no.2 Malachi Robinson, Hodges had earned a corner kick for Casuals. Josh Uzun strolled to the corner and superbly aimed towards Danny Dudley in the centre. The centre-back stabbed the ball into the corner of the net; Casuals were 1-0 up.

Ten minutes later, Shaun Okojie, who has had an unusual three game drought, was searching for the second goal when he brilliantly powered past the physical Drew Cooney and flashed a great effort just wide of the post. Josh Gallagher craved his third goal of this season when he fired a low shot before Chris Haigh crushed his desire by making a finger tip save. Josh Uzun nearly assisted another goal as he curled a delicious cross for Okojie, who was positioned on the penalty spot, but the striker’s expertly placed header was cancelled out by Haigh’s remarkable reflexes. The visitors also threatened in the first 45 by Travis Gregory’s free-kick and an agonising Kwaiye header from a perfect corner. At halftime, it was deservedly still 1-0 to Casuals.

No changes, Bracken was eager to start the second-half brightly and Josh Uzun was there again to cause havoc in the Grinstead ranks. Sending a corner into the area for the predator, Uzun was close to grabbing his second assist however Okojie’s attempted header bounced off his shoulder and over the bar.

The despondent Okojie had another opportunity to write his name on the scoresheet in the 55th minute when the no.9 located himself in the box, ready to pounce on Uzun’s corner. Masterfully volleying the ball into the corner of Haigh’s net, Uzun had another assist and Okojie was back to scoring ways. Celebrations from goalscorer Super Shaun was a massive grin whilst the Casuals contingent punched the air jubilantly and sang the name of the striker.

East Grinstead’s Gregory was troubling the hosts’ defence again when a darting low shot was parried away by Danny Bracken, who used his cat-like reflexes to prevent a consolation goal. Vibrating the crossbar, Wasps’ substitute Dan Hogan used his first touch to rifle a terrific effort past Bracken. The remaining opportunities were by the pink and brown shirts. Ben Cheklit’s classy drive and substitute Mu Maan’s unlucky shot were the latest to be rebuffed by Haigh, who had been remarkable. Ending the ninety minutes with the score 2-0, James Bracken’s pink and brown army won three essential points for their promotion-hunting campaign. New signing Coskun Eskim had a defining performance in the middle of the park whilst Josh Uzun and Dave Hodges produced upset on the flanks.
Man Of The Match was given to Ben Cheklit, who was tremendous on the wing.

A point behind fifth place and a game in hand, Corinthians are in a brilliant place to steal back a spot in the play-offs. A possible victory versus Chatham Town on Saturday before an arduous away journey to Guernsey next Wednesday leaves Corinth in a stable condition. Vai Corinthians!

Whyteleafe 0-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman Division One South
Saturday 4th February 2017
Match Report Cameron Smith: Photo Stuart Tree (Full set HERE)

Gloriously glancing the ball beyond the helpless goalkeeper, centre-back Jack
Strange’s winner in the 78th minute secured three vital points to overcome a
courageous Whyteleafe side at Church Road.

Following last week’s devastation versus Carshalton Athletic, Casuals travelled to their
second away game of the new year in East Surrey, home of Whyteleafe FC. The Leafe
were situated in 15th place and were also recovering from a loss- 2-1 versus Molesey left
them hovering in the bottom half of the table. Whyteleafe are a unique club that boasts a
3G surface, which has established Church Road as a fortress with impressive results
against Dorking Wanderers, Hythe Town and Chipstead this season alone.

Corinthians’ first eleven was littered with changes. Juevan Spencer’s dismissal left a space
in Casuals’ defence and James Bracken inserted Dave Hodges at left-back, causing
Warren Morgan to revert to right-back. In the final third, Jamie Byatt and Jordan Clarke
returned to the starting XI with the two Joshes (Uzun and Gallagher) benched. The white
shirts of Leafe and the chocolate and pink shirts of Corinth started the match.

The first half was filled with wasted potential and close calls, Corinth were the side that
started the brightest as Jordan Clarke’s flair and trickery was showcased when he squared
the ball for Morgan, positioned on the edge of the area. The adventurous full-back
attempted to guide the ball past keeper Bridle-Card’s near post but a strong save kept the
scores level. Then, an unfortunate injury sustained to Jamie Byatt resulted in an early
subsitution- Josh Uzun was the replacement. Sam Clayton’s wayward effort and Scott
Day’s audacious header were the main opportunities for the home side, who lacked a
crucial attacking edge. Casuals’ Shaun Okojie kicked the astro turf as the best chance of
the half was narrowly missed; the frustrated striker nodded just over the crossbar. It was
0-0 at half-time.

In the second 45, Okojie had a vengeance to defeat Bridle-Card after missed chances in
the first half. Cuskun Eskim curled a terrific through ball that landed brilliantly at the feet of
Okojie minutes after the referee began proceedings. Super Shaun cut back expertly but
was rejected by a heroic block from Tyler Brown before the rebound was routinely saved
by the Leafe no.1. Jack Strange found the ball stuck between his feet in an awkward
position in the 60th minute and lost possession but Daniel Ajakaiye slotted the ball into the
gloves of Danny Bracken, who brilliantly prevented an opening goal for the Leafe.
Threatening once more, the hosts forced another save out of Bracken with the goalkeeper
clearing after Day slammed an effort towards the near-post.

With time ticking and only twelve minutes remaining, Jordan Clake’s quick free-kick to
Hodges caught Whyteleafe off guard. Hodges found himself with lots of space on the left
flank and delivered a wonderful cross into the bustling goalmouth. Sprinting to grab the
essential touch, Strange leaped into the air and glanced a superb header over the
committed keeper and into the net. The vocal Corinthians contingent were even more
ecstatic than the delighted players; Strange was engulfed by the mob of Casuals fans.
Netting the winner in style, the centre-back ensued constant chanting from the away side
until the referee blew for full-time. A tremendous victory encapsulated by a single touch of
the ball from Jack Strange, James Bracken’s army had earned an apt clean sheet and
played felicitous football for three, triumphant points.

Next on the fixture list, Corinth are back at King George’s for a clash versus East
Grinstead Town on Tuesday evening before Chatham Town visit Tolworth next Saturday.
Casuals are in eighth place and have two games in hand over opposition surrounding
them.