Five Star Dons Hand Casuals 45 Minute Lesson

Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 5 AFC Wimbledon
Pre Season Friendly
King George's Arena
Saturday 8th August 2020
​Words and Pictures: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals were dealt a first half lesson by a strong League One AFC Wimbledon side, played behind closed doors, conceding five goals before the break.

It was an eerie, yet welcoming feeling to have football return to King George’s. Meticulous preparations were taken to ensure the club was best secure of any Coronavirus infection. Temperatures were taken of everyone and sanitising was the order of the day. It was sad that fans weren’t allowed to witness a Dons first XI down at Tolworth, though a few made good use of vantage points from beyond the perimeter fence to watch their favourite team in action.

Both playing their first matches since Covid halted their seasons back in March, it was Glyn Hodges’ Dons who were out of the blocks the quickest. It took just three minutes for Troy Chiabi to tap home Joe Pigott’s cross.

It didn’t get any better for Casuals as Chiabi once again grabbed his second just 15 minutes later, once again converting a cross. Nesta Guinness-Walker made it three with a smart finish past Keeper Danny Bracken into the bottom corner. Chiabi earned his hat-trick on the half hour mark after rounding Bracken and finishing from an acute angle before Terell Thomas’ towering header made it 5-0 by half time.

With both sides making extensive changes, the second period was much more an even contest. Dons had a chance to add another from the spot but Roscrow’s penalty was well saved and it finished five-nil to the League One side.

Thanks to Glyn and all at AFC Wimbledon for providing top opposition and being wonderful guests. We wish them all the best for the season ahead.

Despite the loss, Casuals Manager James Bracken remained positive.
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“That was half as expected. We’re disappointed with some of the goals that we conceded. But Wimbledon are a good side. They move the ball around very well which on a hot day, made us work. But you can’t be leaving large gaps and free headers at any level, let alone against teams like this.

“It was a good workout though. We wanted to give everyone an opportunity to play. If we come up short anywhere, it’s highlighted in games like this. We’ve come away from today learning a lot and gives us the basis for a starting platform to build on that.

“We’d love to have gone out there today and scored one or two and conceded one or two less, but they’re League One opposition. We must be realistic. However, the second half was 0-0 so we take the positives from that.

“We didn’t have a poor player out their today. One or two performances were below par and I know they can do better. But there was no one out there where I thought they’re miles off the pace. We’ve got healthy competition for places at the moment. Everyone needs to be on their toes – there’s no sentimental feelings this season. We want to get a team out on the pitch that’s competing towards the top half of the table and beyond.”