Merstham 3 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Pitching In Isthmian League Premier
Tuesday 29th September 2020
Report and Pic: Stuart Tree

When Assistant Manager Dan Pringle wants to describe the performance with a four letter word, you know it’s not been a good night for the Casuals.
 
And it truly wasn’t. Corinth put in one of the most insipid performances seen, certainly since the King’s Langley loss this time last year. Casuals failed to register a single shot on target as Merstham rolled over their opponents with comfort winning 3-0 and registering their first win of the season.
 
It’s never been an easy place to visit and Merstham are undoubtedly Casuals’ bogey side having not won at Moatside for at least eight years – and that was a last minute 1-0 smash and grab.
 
It didn’t start that way; in fact, the unchanged side that performed so well at Potters Bar Town on Saturday started the brighter of the two. Order of the day were whipped in crosses that could easily have been converted on another day. Had one of those gone in, it undoubtedly would’ve been a different game.
 
If you can’t convert your chances then you always leave yourself prone. That’s what happened. Merstham’s first goal seemed innocuous enough. It kind of crept into the bottom corner from EJ Mensah.
 
Casuals had also hit the crossbar twice in the first half and arguably looked the more threatening of the sides, even after the goal.
 
But the real turning point was conceding 7 minutes after the break; Danny Bracken was unable to hold onto a shot and AFC Wimbledon youngster Elliott Bolton slammed the follow-up home. That was game over. There was a lack of grit, determination and desire to get back into the game and the second half very much belonged to the home side. They threatened far more and the third came courtesy of Potchu Mendes Calucane. Game over.
 
The last twenty minutes saw the game peter out to a canter and Merstham comfortably claimed their three points whilst Casuals have to look upon themselves with a big FA Cup game against Dulwich Hamlet at the weekend, knowing another performance like that will simply not be good enough.

Potters Bar Town 1 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 26th September 2020
CV Construction Stadium
Report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)

A second half brace from Bradley Wilson was enough to ensure Casuals got their first three points of the season on the board at a blustery Potters Bar Town yesterday.
 
Despite substitute Samson Eason pulling one back, Corinth were able to hold on to record their second away win in four days and put points on the board early into the new campaign.
 
Football weather had truly returned and cold, windy and rainy conditions were not pleasantly greeted by the 213 in attendance. We needed a pleasantly contested affair to warm us all and that’s what we were treated to. The first half remained goalless though not for the lack of trying. Danny Bracken was called into action on more occasions than Fred Burbridge – his Scholar counterpart but Corinth will feel aggrieved that they weren’t awarded a penalty when Kevant Serbony was bundled over in the box.
 
The second half saw Casuals up the tempo and threatened more than their hosts. The deadlock was broken in the 66th minute when Wilson’s floating free kick from 30 yards latched onto the wind and evaded everyone including Burbridge to sail into an empty net.
 
This opened the game up and six minutes later, Wilson had a second, ending a fine piece of play. Keiron Cadogan played the final cross from the right to Wilson who’s 10 yard header couldn’t miss.
 
It became a nervy ending though when Esan pulled one back in fine style for the Scholars, taking a touch and shot with grace. It was backs to the wall for Casuals as Bar bombarded the penalty area. Hero of the hour was Bracken who was back to his finest, pulling off two stunning saves. Thankfully, The Casuals were able to resolutely hold on and record their first league victory of the season.

"I was delighted with the result. We’re always looking for better, You’ll never say it was perfect but it was good. I said the other night ‘let’s try and have the better of the hour, and try and score more goals in that hour then they get in their thirty minutes. They had a little go at us at the end. My brother has pulled off a couple of good saves.
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"Bottom line is we scored more in our period of play than they did in theirs - the first was maybe slightly fortuitous, but Brad’s delivery was great. It’s probably a reward for delivering on set pieces. The second goal is a great goal. The move, the passing, the cross was exquisite and the finish was fantastic. It gave us a little cushion.
 
"We managed to show grit and determination at the end. It was backs to the wall. Defend, defend, defend, and we did that.
 
"We’re delighted. It’s nice to get off the mark. It’s especially nice for the management team and the boys that were here at the club last year. We went through a big period of soul searching where you know you’re doing things right. You know you’re setting the team up well and you know you’ve delivered on performances, but you’re not getting any points.
 
"We needed to get that first win to get that monkey off our back early doors. We’ve done that. It’s two wins on the spin as well. I think we’ve lost one in about the last seven or eight games so we’re going the right way.
 
"I like grafters. I like workers. If you’re a Fancy Dan that delivers no end product you’re not going to be one for me. But if you’re a player with ability that’s going to graft, then I’m going to love you, and I think in the last 15-20 minutes, I saw everything I would possibly want to see in terms of the effort and the desire to get back and do what was necessary."
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Little Common 0 – 3 Corinthian-Casuals
FA Cup 1st Round Qualifying
Tuesday 22nd September 2020
Report and Pic: Stuart Tree
 
Corinthian-Casuals eased into the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup with a convincing 3-0 win at Little Common on Tuesday night.
 
Second half goals from Ben Cheklit, Nat Pinney and an own goal secured Casuals’ place in Friday’s draw as they rolled over their Step 5 opponents.
 
A long journey down to the coast in midweek had ‘banana skin’ written all over it – saying Corinth could find themselves slipping up to a Southern Combination Premier side unbeaten in the league and already won two games in this season’s premier cup competition.
 
One look at the playing surface didn’t alleviate fears either; dry like straw, perfect for a spin bowler, the undulating surface wasn’t conducive for slick passing. That told the story in the first half. The ball spent more time in the air than on the ‘grass’ and the wicked bounce deceived both sets of players.
 
Whilst Casuals weren’t at their free-flowing best, they had the crop of the chances. Max Oldham had his cut-in and shot well charged down by the Common keeper. Ben Cheklit almost scored from 40 yards, spotting the goalie stranded off his line. Keiron Cadogan also fired a rasping shot over the bar. Nerves frayed as the two sides were in stalemate at half time in what cannot be called a classic.
 
A reminder from Boss James Bracken on playing and passing saw a resplendent Casuals emerge. Suddenly, the passing was crisp. The interlink play was flowing and it wasn’t long before the Amateurs took a grip of the game. The first goal wasn’t a blinder, but they all count. A set piece into the box caused a kerfuffle and eventually fell to Cheklit to thunder home.
 
Six minutes later and Casuals doubled their lead after Kev Serbony was bundled over in the box and awarded a penalty. Amongst eerie silence, Nat Pinney converted the spot kick to give the Casuals a comfortable margin.
 
Common never rolled over and looked to impose themselves into the game. This opened the game up and Casuals had a few more chances to extend their lead. It finally came with five minutes left. Cheklit’s swashbuckling run met a neat pass and fired in the cross for Common’s Lewis Parsons to beautifully head home into his own net.  
 
It was job done on a difficult pitch miles from home and as the players departed, Bracken thanked the supporters for their excellent support.

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 2 Haringey Borough
Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 19th September 2020
King George's Arena. Att: 365
​Report and Pics: Stuart Tree. (full set of photos here)

Two second half goals in three minutes condemned Casuals to an opening day defeat at King George’s as Haringey Borough ran out 2-1 winners in the Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division.

Daniel Akindayini and Laste Dombaxe’s 51st and 54th minute strikes dealt a fatal blow to James Bracken’s Casuals but not before a potential late comeback when Brad Wilson reduced the arrears with two minutes left.

King George’s looked resplendent as it hosted its first Corinth opening day fixture since 2016 but sadly it wasn’t to replicate the 2-1 win as seen against Whyteleafe that day. Haringey were the visitors and came to rectify the loss on their last visit.

Casuals opened brightly and Max Oldham and Ben Cheklit on the wings caused Borough defensive problems. Michael O’Donaghue came close as he dragged his shot from ten yards wide.

Haringey asserted themselves into the match and had a decent spell of possession for the bulk of the first half. Danny Bracken was called into action on occasion and the defence held firm.

Casuals perhaps should’ve gone into the break with the lead but Robert Paratore’s turn and shot in the box was well smothered by Jonathan Miles in goal. Cheklit also went close with a header at the back post.

But it was two goals in three minutes that decided the fate of the match. Bracken saved well from a Haringey attack but his parry was followed up by Akindayini who couldn’t miss. Three minutes later and a real piece of quality sealed the deal; Dombaxe unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the box that whipped inside the post, past a despairing Bracken.

Haringey were happy to hold onto the lead but Casuals threat grew. With two minutes to go, they gave the majority of the 365 in attendance hope. Keiron Cadogan broke into the box and chipped a cross to Brad Wilson who fired home from close range.

It was too little too late and despite the pressure, Haringey held on for the win. Many thanks to our visitors – with special note to their superbly-singing supporters for making this league return a special day to remember.
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Next up for Casuals is a trip to Eastbourne United’s Oval ground where we face Little Common in the FA Cup on Tuesday.