Dorking Wanderers 0 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals (Dorking won 5-4 on penalties)
Ryman League Division One South Playoff Final
Saturday 29th April 2017
Attendance: 967
Match report - Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (Full set HERE)
A heart-breaking epilogue to the 2016/17 fairytale saw Corinthian-Casuals miss out on Ryman Premier Division football after losing 5-4 in a penalty shootout with Dorking Wanderers following a frustrating 120 minute stalemate in the jam-packed Westhumble Ground.
Still slightly hungover from the ridiculous dose of emotions during Tuesday’s epic thriller at Greenwich Borough, the Corinthian Contingent discovered that they would be on the road again on Saturday. Dorking Wanderers had defeated Hastings United on penalties after a gruelling thirty minutes of extra-time; setting up the prestigious play-off final in Dorking at Westhumble Community Ground. It would be a momentous occasion for both sides, who would arguably be playing in the most important match in their history as the illustrious seventh tier beckoned.
The previous two meetings between Casuals and Wanderers were full-throttle Division One South clashes and incidentally, the Amateurs seemed to dominate in possession and opportunites. However, when Dorking hosted Casuals on a murky afternoon in mid-November, a Tom Tolfrey strike after four minutes sealed the win for the home side despite a flurry of late Casuals chances. A lot had changed when the two teams met again in March 2017 as Dorking found themselves fighting for the elusive top spot with Tooting & Mitcham and Casuals were attempting to climb into the play-offs. Goals from Hodges and Dillon secured a stylish 2-0 win for Casuals whilst the Wanderers dropped essential points. The final league table was extremely cruel for the second place Dorking, who completed the Division One South with 105 points, the same as champions Tooting, and lost out on the title due to four less goals. For Casuals, the final day was more enjoyable as a play-off spot was already secured. Corinth took the familiar role of the underdogs whilst Dorking started as favourites.
One decision marred the celebrations at Greenwich- Coskun Eskim’s harsh red card was not overturned for the final and the holding midfielder would have to sit out. One hour until kick off, the lineups were announced: the crazy ball of energy, also known as Josh Gallagher, replaced Eskim in the centre.
As spectators filled the bizarrely shaped Westhumble (there are only three sides to the ground), the terraces became crowded as Dorking, Casuals and the neutrals created a strange buzz as the players walked out onto the pitch. A terrific following, this Ryman play-off attracted 967 people to the small, Surrey-based market town. One person undoubtedly travelled further than any other to join the Casuals brigade: Danilo Augusto, who writes for the world-renown Corinthians Paulista blog and forum MeuTimao, travelled 5,898 miles from his home in São Paulo. Thank you for your incredible support Danilo!
Dorking’s Marc White and Casuals’ James Bracken shook hands and stood in their respective areas whilst the players were ready to start. Everyone knew the importance of this single match as the referee began proceedings. A win would mean Ryman Premier Division football next season.
Casuals started the brightest with sustained pressure on the fatigued legs of Dorking’s back four with the pace of Shaun Okojie and Reyon Dillon causing problems early on. Of course, it wasn’t just the Corinth strike-force that left the hosts in a tangle as Jordan Clarke was involved in the first opportunity. A scramble on the left flank fell for Shaun Okojie, who let rip with a curling piledriver that was on course for the top corner, but the effort was denied by the flailing arms of keeper Huk. Swerving in and out, Mu Maan nearly netted his fifth of the season, but his shot darted wide. The rest of the first 45 saw a harsh booking for Casuals’ Dillon and a powerful effort from Dorking’s Tolfrey that lacked direction as it comfortably flew into the hands of Bracken. It was an odd atmosphere around the ground as the Casuals supporters, as usual, were in fine voice whilst the rest of the spectators were eerily silent.
The sun had slowly slipped onto the scene at the Westhumble as the sides switched ends. A substitute had been made by James Bracken- the cautioned Dillon was replaced by Max Oldham. In the 54th minute, the joyful travelling fans were almost in raptures as a Jack Strange header was hastily cleared off the line by no.7 Jerome Beckles as Dudley narrowly missed the inviting flick on. Set-pieces were the source of Casuals attack when a looping header from Maan was easily gathered by the valiant Huk in net. And then, the chance of the half arrived via Gallagher. Minutes later, the midfielder was clean through on goal, an unfamiliar position for Super Josh, but had a stinging shot magnificently saved by the Slovakian keeper before a rebound was again denied by Huk. It was disbelief in the Casuals end as another dangerous corner was volleyed at the back post by Dudley, but it just well over the bar.
A flat fifteen minute period concluded when Jack Strange bundled the ball into the net, but was correctly disallowed due to a foul on the keeper in the yellow jersey. The final five minutes of normal time was greeted with suspense and uncertainty as the white and red stripes were throwing everything at a late winner all of a sudden…
The pressure was swiftly dealt with before the full-time whistle blew: it was 0-0, and the game would go to extra-time. No-one moved an inch as the teams discussed tactics for the extra thirty minutes of football. Bracken was demonstrating to Dave Hodges how to deal with Dorking hotshot Matthew Briggs, who was brilliantly kept quiet by the commanding Casuals left-back. The first-half of extra-time started well for Casuals who almost ended the goal drought thanks to substitute Warren Morgan, as his shot was saved again by the consistently impressive reflexes of Huk. The presence of winger Briggs prevailed for Dorking as the no.8 had a half-volley and a 1on1 shot saved by the heroic Bracken. The second-half of extra time was nail-biting as chances were limited, but misplaced passes and injury breaks were a plenty. These anxious moments were nothing compared to what supporters would be subjected to after the thirty minutes of extra-time. Dorking and Casuals had finished the game- it was 0-0. Now, it was time for the most nerve-wracking experience a football fan could ever experience: a penalty shootout.
Kicking towards the Casuals end, Dorking had won the toss and opted to go first. Jack Beecroft hammered the ball down the middle to put Dorking 1-0 up before Mu Maan equalised with a conversion into the bottom right corner that beat Huk, who dived the right way. Substitute Dan Pearse slotted home confidently, but fellow sub Warren Morgan couldn’t reel away in relief as his penalty was brilliantly tipped past the top left corner of the net by the delighted Huk. Dorking made it 3-1 when Dean Gunner dispatched a pinpoint effort. Casuals were already one behind, so the contingent behind the goal were jubilant when Bettache composedly fired into the roof of the net. No.11 James McShane may have scored a fantastic spot-kick, but was disappointedly unsportsmanlike when he celebrated in-front of the Casuals supporters. Goalkeeper and a proven penalty kick scorer Danny Bracken sent Huk the wrong way and adjusted the score-line to 4-3 Dorking. Bracken switched from scoring back to saving when he faced Dorking striker Tom Tolfrey. Punching the air with genuine glee, Bracken’s outstanding one-handed stop sent Casuals fans haywire- Casuals were back in it! Club legend Jamie Byatt grabbed the ball for Casuals’ fourth penalty and calmly rifled the ball in off the post. Bracken was ever so close to keeping out Brigg’s clean penalty, but it ended up in the back of the net. David Hodges had the courage to take a spot-kick, but the bearded full-back could only find the gloves of Huk, who brilliantly dove to his bottom left corner to claw away. The no.1 picked himself up and sprinted to the ecstatic Dorking players. Rare cheers from the Wanderers supporters and a rare moment of agonising silence from the Casuals supporters. Dorking had defeated Casuals 5-4 on penalties and were heading for the Ryman Premier Division.
A pitch invasion followed as the red shirts were mobbed by celebratory fans. However, Casuals supporters were soon chanting again and consoled the dejected members of the pink and brown army. One sight caused every Casuals fan to well up; captain Danny Bracken was in tears as promotion to the Premier Division was cruelly snatched from Casuals’ grasp via twelve, single kicks from twelve yards.
It was a victory for the Casuals squad just being a play-off finalist after years of continuous unsuccessful shots at glory. A magnificent performance during the 120 minutes was something to be very proud of.
Congratulations to Dorking Wanderers, who brilliantly prevailed in the conclusive shootout and earned their place in the Premier Division next season. For Casuals, it was another season in the Division One South, although Corinth could arguably be one of the most formidable sides of the 2017/18 campaign…
Stuart Tree spoke to the reflective James Bracken for the final time:
“One game to decide a whole season is always hard in the first place but to go out on penalties is even harsher.”
“We were nervous for the first fifteen minutes but we settled the nerves. Understandably, both sides looked a bit slow but once we calmed down, everyone to a man has been superb.”
“We’ve taken them apart time and time again. We were too fit, too strong, too quick and created so many chances.”
“I think that’s what makes it harder to swallow. If we came here and got rolled over 2-0 or 3-0 by a better team, you can say fair play and we’d have to look at ourselves. After today, we couldn’t do any of that.”
“We just didn’t get the goal that all our play and performance warranted. Fair play to their keeper. He was outstanding.”
“We’re bitterly disappointed and it’ll take a week or two for this to sink in and start to think about getting over it. It’s a tough one.”
“How do we bounce back? Last year when we had the playoffs snatched from us following the points deduction, it would’ve been easy for us to feel sorry for ourselves and just say, ‘what’s the point?’”
“We didn’t. we came back better, stronger, evolved.”
“Next year, I’m hoping everyone stays here because I believe if they do, I think we can win this league. I honestly believe that. We’ve got something special here.”
Ryman League Division One South Playoff Final
Saturday 29th April 2017
Attendance: 967
Match report - Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (Full set HERE)
A heart-breaking epilogue to the 2016/17 fairytale saw Corinthian-Casuals miss out on Ryman Premier Division football after losing 5-4 in a penalty shootout with Dorking Wanderers following a frustrating 120 minute stalemate in the jam-packed Westhumble Ground.
Still slightly hungover from the ridiculous dose of emotions during Tuesday’s epic thriller at Greenwich Borough, the Corinthian Contingent discovered that they would be on the road again on Saturday. Dorking Wanderers had defeated Hastings United on penalties after a gruelling thirty minutes of extra-time; setting up the prestigious play-off final in Dorking at Westhumble Community Ground. It would be a momentous occasion for both sides, who would arguably be playing in the most important match in their history as the illustrious seventh tier beckoned.
The previous two meetings between Casuals and Wanderers were full-throttle Division One South clashes and incidentally, the Amateurs seemed to dominate in possession and opportunites. However, when Dorking hosted Casuals on a murky afternoon in mid-November, a Tom Tolfrey strike after four minutes sealed the win for the home side despite a flurry of late Casuals chances. A lot had changed when the two teams met again in March 2017 as Dorking found themselves fighting for the elusive top spot with Tooting & Mitcham and Casuals were attempting to climb into the play-offs. Goals from Hodges and Dillon secured a stylish 2-0 win for Casuals whilst the Wanderers dropped essential points. The final league table was extremely cruel for the second place Dorking, who completed the Division One South with 105 points, the same as champions Tooting, and lost out on the title due to four less goals. For Casuals, the final day was more enjoyable as a play-off spot was already secured. Corinth took the familiar role of the underdogs whilst Dorking started as favourites.
One decision marred the celebrations at Greenwich- Coskun Eskim’s harsh red card was not overturned for the final and the holding midfielder would have to sit out. One hour until kick off, the lineups were announced: the crazy ball of energy, also known as Josh Gallagher, replaced Eskim in the centre.
As spectators filled the bizarrely shaped Westhumble (there are only three sides to the ground), the terraces became crowded as Dorking, Casuals and the neutrals created a strange buzz as the players walked out onto the pitch. A terrific following, this Ryman play-off attracted 967 people to the small, Surrey-based market town. One person undoubtedly travelled further than any other to join the Casuals brigade: Danilo Augusto, who writes for the world-renown Corinthians Paulista blog and forum MeuTimao, travelled 5,898 miles from his home in São Paulo. Thank you for your incredible support Danilo!
Dorking’s Marc White and Casuals’ James Bracken shook hands and stood in their respective areas whilst the players were ready to start. Everyone knew the importance of this single match as the referee began proceedings. A win would mean Ryman Premier Division football next season.
Casuals started the brightest with sustained pressure on the fatigued legs of Dorking’s back four with the pace of Shaun Okojie and Reyon Dillon causing problems early on. Of course, it wasn’t just the Corinth strike-force that left the hosts in a tangle as Jordan Clarke was involved in the first opportunity. A scramble on the left flank fell for Shaun Okojie, who let rip with a curling piledriver that was on course for the top corner, but the effort was denied by the flailing arms of keeper Huk. Swerving in and out, Mu Maan nearly netted his fifth of the season, but his shot darted wide. The rest of the first 45 saw a harsh booking for Casuals’ Dillon and a powerful effort from Dorking’s Tolfrey that lacked direction as it comfortably flew into the hands of Bracken. It was an odd atmosphere around the ground as the Casuals supporters, as usual, were in fine voice whilst the rest of the spectators were eerily silent.
The sun had slowly slipped onto the scene at the Westhumble as the sides switched ends. A substitute had been made by James Bracken- the cautioned Dillon was replaced by Max Oldham. In the 54th minute, the joyful travelling fans were almost in raptures as a Jack Strange header was hastily cleared off the line by no.7 Jerome Beckles as Dudley narrowly missed the inviting flick on. Set-pieces were the source of Casuals attack when a looping header from Maan was easily gathered by the valiant Huk in net. And then, the chance of the half arrived via Gallagher. Minutes later, the midfielder was clean through on goal, an unfamiliar position for Super Josh, but had a stinging shot magnificently saved by the Slovakian keeper before a rebound was again denied by Huk. It was disbelief in the Casuals end as another dangerous corner was volleyed at the back post by Dudley, but it just well over the bar.
A flat fifteen minute period concluded when Jack Strange bundled the ball into the net, but was correctly disallowed due to a foul on the keeper in the yellow jersey. The final five minutes of normal time was greeted with suspense and uncertainty as the white and red stripes were throwing everything at a late winner all of a sudden…
The pressure was swiftly dealt with before the full-time whistle blew: it was 0-0, and the game would go to extra-time. No-one moved an inch as the teams discussed tactics for the extra thirty minutes of football. Bracken was demonstrating to Dave Hodges how to deal with Dorking hotshot Matthew Briggs, who was brilliantly kept quiet by the commanding Casuals left-back. The first-half of extra-time started well for Casuals who almost ended the goal drought thanks to substitute Warren Morgan, as his shot was saved again by the consistently impressive reflexes of Huk. The presence of winger Briggs prevailed for Dorking as the no.8 had a half-volley and a 1on1 shot saved by the heroic Bracken. The second-half of extra time was nail-biting as chances were limited, but misplaced passes and injury breaks were a plenty. These anxious moments were nothing compared to what supporters would be subjected to after the thirty minutes of extra-time. Dorking and Casuals had finished the game- it was 0-0. Now, it was time for the most nerve-wracking experience a football fan could ever experience: a penalty shootout.
Kicking towards the Casuals end, Dorking had won the toss and opted to go first. Jack Beecroft hammered the ball down the middle to put Dorking 1-0 up before Mu Maan equalised with a conversion into the bottom right corner that beat Huk, who dived the right way. Substitute Dan Pearse slotted home confidently, but fellow sub Warren Morgan couldn’t reel away in relief as his penalty was brilliantly tipped past the top left corner of the net by the delighted Huk. Dorking made it 3-1 when Dean Gunner dispatched a pinpoint effort. Casuals were already one behind, so the contingent behind the goal were jubilant when Bettache composedly fired into the roof of the net. No.11 James McShane may have scored a fantastic spot-kick, but was disappointedly unsportsmanlike when he celebrated in-front of the Casuals supporters. Goalkeeper and a proven penalty kick scorer Danny Bracken sent Huk the wrong way and adjusted the score-line to 4-3 Dorking. Bracken switched from scoring back to saving when he faced Dorking striker Tom Tolfrey. Punching the air with genuine glee, Bracken’s outstanding one-handed stop sent Casuals fans haywire- Casuals were back in it! Club legend Jamie Byatt grabbed the ball for Casuals’ fourth penalty and calmly rifled the ball in off the post. Bracken was ever so close to keeping out Brigg’s clean penalty, but it ended up in the back of the net. David Hodges had the courage to take a spot-kick, but the bearded full-back could only find the gloves of Huk, who brilliantly dove to his bottom left corner to claw away. The no.1 picked himself up and sprinted to the ecstatic Dorking players. Rare cheers from the Wanderers supporters and a rare moment of agonising silence from the Casuals supporters. Dorking had defeated Casuals 5-4 on penalties and were heading for the Ryman Premier Division.
A pitch invasion followed as the red shirts were mobbed by celebratory fans. However, Casuals supporters were soon chanting again and consoled the dejected members of the pink and brown army. One sight caused every Casuals fan to well up; captain Danny Bracken was in tears as promotion to the Premier Division was cruelly snatched from Casuals’ grasp via twelve, single kicks from twelve yards.
It was a victory for the Casuals squad just being a play-off finalist after years of continuous unsuccessful shots at glory. A magnificent performance during the 120 minutes was something to be very proud of.
Congratulations to Dorking Wanderers, who brilliantly prevailed in the conclusive shootout and earned their place in the Premier Division next season. For Casuals, it was another season in the Division One South, although Corinth could arguably be one of the most formidable sides of the 2017/18 campaign…
Stuart Tree spoke to the reflective James Bracken for the final time:
“One game to decide a whole season is always hard in the first place but to go out on penalties is even harsher.”
“We were nervous for the first fifteen minutes but we settled the nerves. Understandably, both sides looked a bit slow but once we calmed down, everyone to a man has been superb.”
“We’ve taken them apart time and time again. We were too fit, too strong, too quick and created so many chances.”
“I think that’s what makes it harder to swallow. If we came here and got rolled over 2-0 or 3-0 by a better team, you can say fair play and we’d have to look at ourselves. After today, we couldn’t do any of that.”
“We just didn’t get the goal that all our play and performance warranted. Fair play to their keeper. He was outstanding.”
“We’re bitterly disappointed and it’ll take a week or two for this to sink in and start to think about getting over it. It’s a tough one.”
“How do we bounce back? Last year when we had the playoffs snatched from us following the points deduction, it would’ve been easy for us to feel sorry for ourselves and just say, ‘what’s the point?’”
“We didn’t. we came back better, stronger, evolved.”
“Next year, I’m hoping everyone stays here because I believe if they do, I think we can win this league. I honestly believe that. We’ve got something special here.”
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