Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 3 Margate
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 23rd February 2019
Report: Cameron Smith & Joshua Doherty. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)

Whilst the clinical Margate ran rampant at the sunny King George’s Field, Corinthian-Casuals chalked up another defeat that makes five on the bounce; conceding three goals and dropping to 17th in the Bostik Premier Division.

This spell of poor form was encapsulated last week when Warren Mfula’s late goal could not spark a comeback versus Merstham and James Bracken’s words after the game were bittersweet. Willing the players to push past a rough patch that might have occurred through injuries or the bettering of teams around them, Bracken knew that a clash with lowly Margate was important.

The grass was green, the sky was blue and, for a change, the sun was shining in Tolworth as the pink and brown locked horns with the blue and white (or in this instance, the change strip of yellow).

The first 34 minutes was full of key moments that, in hindsight, could have changed the game. Majed Osman showed the Casuals contingent his class early on with a powerful effort directed wide of the post by the alert Louis Wells. This chance was after multiple set-pieces that Casuals were gifted due to their work on the flanks but they could not seem to convert. Mfula had an effort comfortably collected after finding space and the occasional attacks by Margate were dangerous but dealt with.

​That was until Kadell Daniel slotted the ball into the bottom corner of Bracken’s net and it was 1-0 to Margate. A commendable turnout from the Gate got to celebrate again in the 39th minute- Noel Leighton’s run and finish was too much to handle for the Casuals defence that was without Reece Hannigan at the back. At half-time, it was 2-0 to Margate.

Mu Maan was replaced by Warren Morgan at half-time, but the full-back/winger’s pace could not be utilised as every Casuals attack was stomped on by the firm Margate. They knew what they wanted to do and via Leighton, a third and decisive goal was dispatched wonderfully. Most of the 337 in attendance on the beautiful February afternoon would have wanted a more open game, but the remainder was dominated by Margate. Debutant Benjamin Aghadiuno was substituted for Hannigan and Uzun for Antonio. As far as luck goes, Corinthians had zero but it should not be said that Margate were anything less than brilliant. Falling short of their five goals they scored against Casuals at home in the season opener, the Gate left Tolworth with three goals and three points.

Thank you to Margate and we wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season. Jay Saunders’ victory makes it five consecutive losses for Casuals, which is far from a pretty statistic to look at. A trip to second-in-the-league Haringey Borough is not the best to follow up with, but with Casuals’ underdog attitude, incredible support and Corinthian Spirit… who knows what could happen?

“It wasn’t a lack of character today. I think we just lacked the know how,"  explained Assistant Manager Dan Pringle after the match.

"I don’t think man-for-man they were a better team than us, but we could just hear them talking throughout, always communicating. They knew how to play the game. They played to their strengths and fully deserved their win.”

He continued, “We kept running, all the way to the end. Even at three nil, we were trying to get back into the game. We could have easily let them gone on and score 4, 5 or 6 and been embarrassed but we didn't. 

"I can’t question the character today, and with the situation at the club, we know it its all about character. We are still very much looking up, rather than down, seeing whats ahead. We are not downbeat at all, we never are. We always stay level after a defeat and we never go in shouting and balling as it is not constructive.

“We have however highlighted some things we need to improve. We’ll watch it back, train next week and work out where we are short. We are all learning; James (Bracken) and I are still learning and we need to look at ourselves before the players. When you are in the position we are now, the only thing you can do is work hard. I don’t think we are here due to a lack of quality, or effort.

“We need to start keeping clean sheets - we've conceded too many goals. We need to get back to basics, keep the ball out of our net. Then we only need one to win the game, rather than conceding two or three and looking to our forward to get more. That is not sustainable way of playing unless you are top of the league with strikers on £6-700 a week. We need some clean sheets and build from there. With no budget, we should be bottom, I think people forget that.

“We lost 3-0 to Margate today, but it wasn’t so long ago we were losing by three or four to the teams in the leagues below and fighting relegation. It's good that we have changed the mentality, but at the same time we are working with no budget. James and I couldn’t put an ounce more work in if we wanted. We have the players we have and try and improve and go from there. 

"However, we look at the teams in front of us and think we are better, we can climb up the table and now we just need to go on a run and finish strong, which we both think we can do.

“I’m fully confident that we could be sat here next week with six points on the board from the two games, and suddenly we are a bit more comfortable in the table."

“It’s about character now,” said Bracken following the match at Merstham. “When you’re winning you get in the mindset to keep it going.

“But we’re a long way from that. We’re in character stage now. We need people to roll up their sleeves because we haven’t won in four. The season’s wrapping up and the teams below us have all got to play each other, so someone’s going to be picking up points. We need to get out on that pitch and battle and grind out some wins. Do I know which boys I’ll rely on for that? Of course I do.”

“The first fifteen to twenty minutes, we were very good. We arguably deserved to be one in-front.

“After that, we reacted very slowly to everything. We were chasing shadows for large parts of the first half.

“We changed things at half time but concede a horrible goal. It deflates everybody. It came at the wrong time as we had a couple of moments which gave me encouragement to see we’d pull ourselves back on level terms.

“We’ve had too many of those goals this season. Letting them in at crucial times. There’re too many players that don’t react the right way.

“It wasn’t good enough in terms of our own quality. We can be better than that.

And Bracken faces a unique problem; Casuals are the highest ranked amateur side in the country and therefore do not have a playing budget to sign new players.

“Every time I look at social media, teams in and around us have signed quality players, getting fresh blood in. All those sides have the money and power to have a go at staying up. They add a little more to their budget.

“We don’t have those resources. We need to look at ourselves as to what we can do.

“I stand by these players but it’s difficult. When we lost our main goalscorer (Danny Cunningham) to injury, it was tough. Warren (Mfula’s) done great. Gabriel (Odunaike) was missing and will be absent for a few more soon. What I’d give to be able to go out and ‘buy’ a striker, but we can’t.

“Whilst things are going well, it’s great but when the backs are against the wall, it’s difficult.

“I’ll re-iterate it though. I believe in these players. Even after that performance today, by some of their own standards, their poorest performance of the season. I genuinely don’t remember them being worse than that. However, all things considered, we still could’ve snatched a draw against a decent team on a pitch that suits them.

"Therefore, we can’t be too doom and gloom. We want to win."

Merstham 2 -1 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 16th February 2019
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (set of pics can be seen here).

Corinthian-Casuals Manager James Bracken believes its all about character if his side is to turn their fortunes around following a fourth consecutive loss at the hands of Merstham on Saturday.

The 2-1 defeat at promotion-chasing Merstham sees Casuals looking over their shoulders, just nine points above the relegation places.

“It’s about character now,” said Bracken following the match. “When you’re winning you get in the mindset to keep it going.

“But we’re a long way from that. We’re in character stage now. We need people to roll up their sleeves because we haven’t won in four. The season’s wrapping up and the teams below us have all got to play each other, so someone’s going to be picking up points. We need to get out on that pitch and battle and grind out some wins. Do I know which boys I’ll rely on for that? Of course I do.”

Casuals, without strikers Gabriel Odunaike and Max Oldham as well as midfielder Mu Maan, started the brighter of the two sides. Warren Mfula forced Tangara – Merstham’s custodian into a good save and Corinth peppered the six yard box with a succession of corners. Tangara himself looked to have taken a ball across the line, catching from a Reece Hannigan header, but claims only came from behind the goal.

Merstham grew into the game and Danny Bracken was forced into a wonderful reaction save to prevent the home side from going ahead. But it was all in vain; minutes later, Casuals found themselves a goal down, failing to clear their lines allowing Simon Cooper to fire home through a wall of players, taking a couple of deflections en-route.

Casuals were dealt another blow just after half time when Merstham doubled their lead. A slip by defender Reece Hannigan allowed the Moatsiders to break, and whilst Danny Bracken kept the initial shot at bay, Casuals again couldn’t clear the danger and Gus Sow was on hand to see his parried shot dribble over the line. 
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Whilst the home side controlled large parts of the second half, Corinth rallied in the final stages and debutant Benjamin Aghadiuno burst around his marker and forced Tangara into another crucial block. A minute later and a fine header from top-scorer Warren Mfula gave the travelling support hope of a comeback. Despite sustained pressure, Merstham held out for the win, keeping them in fourth and a real chance of Step-2 football next season. Casuals maintain their position of fifteenth in the table.

​Read James Bracken's post-match thoughts here.

AFC Hornchurch 3 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 2nd February 2019
Match report: Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)

Corinthian-Casuals were overturned 3-0 by a clinical AFC Hornchurch side in a dire game for the disappointed visitors and their supporters.

Most likely the coldest conditions teams in the Bostik Premier have had to play under so far this season, temperatures dropped to only a few degrees above freezing. The 225 spectators in Hornchurch Stadium wrapped up in as many layers as possible and were staying inside until the players finally emerged from their dressing rooms in order to retain some sort of heat. As the pink and brown of Casuals walked out side-by-side with the red of Hornchurch, three vital points were on offer for whoever desired it the most.
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Trying to adjust to the bizarre ground where a running track distanced supporters from players by a good few metres, the Corinth contingent were in fine voice and their support nearly were able to celebrate when a messy free-kick from Ekim was touched on by Odunaike, but his effort was blocked. Possession was exchanged between the two teams for most of the half; the Urchins seemed to be more threatening when pacing at the Casuals defence. Conceding a soft free-kick on the 20 yard mark on the stroke of half-time, Corinth would rue letting George Saunders take the set-piece as he directed a brilliant effort into the top right corner. Bracken was unable to keep it out and Hornchurch were 1-0 up.

After the break, James Bracken’s team-talk would hopefully inject some energy and confidence into a shaky start for the away side. A shot from Mu Maan flew over the bar and a flurry of half-chances eased the worried Casuals fans. Majed Osman’s introduction at half-time was certainly positive but his creativity was targeted and subtly cancelled out by a strong defensive performance from the hosts.

In a rare burst on the right, Hornchurch managed to get a second goal, but not from their own player. Reece Hannigan was the unfortunate one to connect to a Saunders cross and it beat Bracken to make the last 20 minutes very uncomfortable for Casuals. Substitute Josh Uzun floated a perfectly weighted corner into the box that was not in Chafer’s grasp but not far away from Hannigan’s head. Classic pinball in the box, the ball fell for Mu Maan who smacked it into the hands of the Urchins no.1 before it was hastily disposed of. Jordan Clarke and Hannigan had other chances for the Casuals and it was unlucky they didn’t have at least one name on the goal-sheet.

Maybe it was the yearning to score that had left Casuals vulnerable to counter-attacks as Purcell finished a delightful move from Hornchurch and made it 3-0. It was more shock than shame as the Urchins only had a few chances in the whole game but managed to dispatch them all. Even if the board was raised with 90 more minutes, Casuals would not have been able to get three points from Hornchurch as it just didn’t seem to be their day in-front of goal and it was a 3-0 result at full-time.

James Bracken and his pink and brown army look to improve on the past two losses, but thank you to AFC Hornchurch and good luck for the rest of the season. Staying in 14th, Corinthians face the long trip to Folkestone on Tuesday night before Lewes travel down to King George’s next Saturday.

We were lethargic, slow, laborious on the ball and didn't have enough fight," said Manager James Bracken after the match. "I could go on and reel off a million negatives like I did at half time. It was rubbish and nowhere near good enough.

“Second half we were probably the better team until they scored their goal. When it's an own goal, again, it just kills you, it kills the team, the players and the mentality. That's three own goals now in a short space of time, and I said to our lads, where are our crosses that are forcing them to defend that kind of space? They're not going in enough.

“We can analyse our performance , and we have to, but I just think we have to look at ourselves, we have to be real about things now and just do better.

“Potentially we will now be looking over our shoulders towards those at the bottom, but potentially we could also win three or four in a row and be near the play-offs again. There is always 'potentially' but we have to now focus on Tuesday. I expect a reaction, if we don't get a reaction then we will have to look at things again.
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“Folkestone will have a reaction as well after losing 6-0, which is surprising as they are a good team. Last time we lost 4-0 when we went there, it is not an easy place to go, and certainly not one where you look at the beginning of the season and earmark three points. With some of the performance levels we've seen today I'd be an absolute maniac to back us to go and do anything if I'm honest.”