Corinthian Casuals 2-1 Metropolitan Police
Saturday 2 September 2023
Pitching In Isthmian South Central Division
Attendance 275
Match Report by Ollie Luckett
Photo by Chris Randall
A spirited win and a huge three points for Corinthian-Casuals as they came away with a 2-1 result at home to Metropolitan Police.
Three points have been a distant memory for Casuals as they have tasted defeat in all three of their opening matches this season. Sitting bottom of the Isthmian League South Central Division table before this contest, it was clear that fortunes needed to change.
The game began with an early battle for dominance in the midfield. Neither side were really able to establish long periods of possession or intricate passages of play. There was a sense of unease and panic shown by both sides, however it was Casuals who took the first chance.
Seven minutes in, Casuals were looking for a way past Met Police’s defense. It was a delicious cross pitch pass from the chocolate and pink’s number ten, Gabriel Ipanga, that pinged off his boot to land in the path of Shea Cascoe-Rogers. Cascoe-Rogers had the confidence and skill to tie his marker in knots before lifting the ball over the keeper and into the top right-hand corner of the net. A deserving applause followed - a phenomenal individual effort from the Casuals number eleven.
Met Police struggled to create any real chances, with Casuals pouncing to contest 50/50s and dominating aerial duels. Nevertheless, a lapse in focus eventually punished a backpedaling defensive line, and eight minutes after going ahead, a mix up in the midfield led to Met Police earning their first look at goal in the half. Number eight, Adam Green, managed to sneak his shot under Casuals keeper Jordan Brown, who was visibly frustrated at having conceded.
Challenges were strong and not always clean as Casuals number six, Dquame Copeland, earned himself the first booking of the game. Soon though, Cascoe-Rogers was quick to lift the atmosphere once again, delivering a sharp first corner of the game onto the head of Casuals captain, Francis Quarm, who headed home past the Met Police goalkeeper to restore the lead.
The rest of the half followed a similar pattern. Casuals were shaky at times but managed to repel any Met Police attacks. Just thirty-eight minutes in though, Casuals right-back Adonai Dacruz was withdrawn from the game after picking up a knock, a considerable blow to the home side given his threat moving forward and sharp tackling at the back.
Just shy of the hour mark, it was once again Shea Cascoe-Rogers asking all the questions of the Met Police defense. He was taken down rather clumsily and a penalty was awarded to the hosts. Responsibility from the spot fell to Casuals number nine, Elijah Simpson, who had impressed all game with his strong hold up play and aerial dominance. A shot low to the goalkeeper’s left was well saved as Liam Beach read Simpson’s penalty.
That was only the first regrettable moment of the half, as Gabriel Ipanga was shown a second yellow card in the 90th for returning to the pitch before the referee had given permission - a harsh decision with Casuals fighting to hold onto a slim, one goal advantage.
Penalty miss and dismissal aside, A sunny, late-summer afternoon eventually came to a close on a positive note as Casuals held onto the 2-1 scoreline, reinforced by a strong performance from Jordan Brown between the sticks.
Manager Andy Gray said after the game that the win came from “just hard work” but remarked there’s still more hard work to do. Gray also commented on the change of players from game to game saying, “I’m trying to find the right formula”, describing the current state of the side as a “new project”.
Casuals are at home to Hartley Wintney on Saturday September 9th. Andy Gray will be hoping to continue the good work and build on a positive performance, hopefully with more soon to follow.
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