Grays Athletic 0-0 Corinthian-Casuals
FA Trophy 3rd Round Qualifying
Sunday 29th November 2015
The Mill Field
Att: 150
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set of pics here)

Corinthian-Casuals find themselves in the draw for the first round of the FA Trophy for the first time in their history, but they’ll have to get past Grays Athletic on Wednesday night after the two sides played out a stalemate at The Mill Field on Sunday.

The replay, set to be played at Corinthian-Casuals’ King George’s Arena in Tolworth will decide whether the amateur sole survivor of the Ryman League Division One South makes it to the next stage.

Casuals lined up with the same first XI that defeated Gray’s playoff rivals Leiston in the last round. A performance of similar standards would surely give the Gravelmen a tough test.
​
Windy conditions put pay to any real slick football being played and the game was hardly littered with chances. The first half chance fell to Casuals who had the wind in their favour for the first period. Kevant Serbony whipped a ball in from deep and Juevan Spencer was inches from connecting at the back post.

Grays’ Captain, Sean Croninhad the first real chance for the home side; from a free kick Cronin found himself unmarked at the far post but could only slice his chance wide.

Casuals looked lively for the most part of the first half but without any real end product. It was a case of ‘play to the whistle’ as the ball fell kindly to Emmanuel Akokhia but thinking he was offside, didn’t follow up his chance despite no call from any of the officials.

Grays looked threatening when they pushed forward and Jay Leader had keeper Danny Bracken at full stretch as his rasping shot passed just wide of the post.

Casuals probably ended the half as the stronger side. Dave Hodges, who was excellent all game, found space in the box but his shot was tame and easily saved by Lamar Joseph-Johnson.

The biggest call of the half came when Juevan Spencer produced a dazzling run, and despite being fouled in the area, kept his feet and curled a shot narrowly wide of the goal. Spencer was praised by the man in the middle for staying on his feet despite the challenge and although his ‘Corinthian Spirit’ was to be commended, it indicated that had he gone over, the referee would have pointed to the spot rather than playing the advantage.

Into the second half and the wind was becoming noticeably stronger. Sekou Kaba had a good opportunity to open the scoring early on; Dave Hodges fired a ball in from the byline, and Kaba at the near post could only divert it wide.

However, as the half went on, Casuals became more and more encamped in their own half. Though Grays had most of the possession, they were unable to carve out any real chances. The only notable effort was from a free kick which clipped the top of the bar and over to safety.

Cherno Mendy could feel aggrieved that he wasn’t awarded a spot kick late on but as time ticked by, it was clear that a replay was going to be needed to settle this tie.

After the match, Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree.

“That was difficult conditions, difficult pitch and difficult opposition that we’ve face today. To come here and get a draw, even for a Ryman Premier club would have been a good result, so to come here as a Ryman South club is a great result and keeps us in the hat for the draw.

“I’m sure a better pitch will suit them so we’ll have to look at what we do come the replay at ours.

“We came here today with a game plan and it worked. We could’ve nicked it so I’m pleased with them.

“I think it was a penalty. Juevan’s been honest and tried to stay on his feet. The ref has called him to play on and he’s shot from the corner of the box. If he goes down, you know the referee gives it. But that’s football, isn’t it?”

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 1 Egham Town
(Corinthian-Casuals win 4-2 on Pens)
Surrey Senior Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 24th November 2015
Match report: Darren Pasley. Photos: Stuart Tree (full set of pics here)

Corinthian-Casuals progressed to the 3rd round of the Surrey Senior Cup after seeing off Southern League high-flyers Egham Town at King Georges Arena.

Although it took a penalty shoot out to book their place, James Bracken will have been impressed with his side's performance especially against a well organised and tricky opponent.

It was a good start for the side that sit 7th in the Southern Central league. They were knocking the ball about with ease and it was soon apparent why up until a couple of weeks ago had lead the table.

Former Kingstonian winger Chris Henry was causing problems early on and he created the game’s first opening in the 6th minute reaching the by-line and cutting back for Ryan Debattista who miscued his shot under pressure from Danny Dudley.

Casuals first foray into the opposition area saw Dudley head wide from Emmanuel Akokhia's corner in the 13th minute. Egham continued their lively start and Danny Bracken had to be alert to foil Henry after Debattista had returned the favour with a through ball.

Juevan Spencer - in the goal scoring form of his life, saw a left footed shot deflect wide after Akokhia's cross somewhat fortunately dropped favourably and shortly afterwards the returning Josh Uzun curled just wide of James Norris's goal.

The visiting captain Kurtney Brooks rifled a 20 yard drive over the bar and at the other end Matt Reece, making a rare start for Casuals, fizzed an effort straight at Norris after a lung-busting run.

The game and chances picked up considerably in the final 10 minutes of the first period. On 36, Danny Bracken made an outstanding instinct save to deny Debattista. The ex-Beaconsfield SYOB striker making his debut somehow failing to score after his header from Tom Connor's corner was incredibly kept out from 6 yards.

Casuals broke almost immediately and Reece again with his left foot drove goal wards. This time however into the side netting after finding himself in behind the Sarnies defence for the first time.

Shortly before the break Debattista sprung the offside trap but was forced wide by Bracken. With the goal unguarded the ball was played to Henry who delivered a first time cross which Warren Morgan and Dudley seemed to leave to each other. Again the ball fell kindly for Casuals and Sekou Kaba was allowed to bring the ball clear.

Despite being pleasing on the eye there was a lack of real desire from both sides to break the deadlock so it came as no surprise as there were entrances from both benches during the break - the home side introducing Stef Joseph and Michael Salako.

After Bracken had palmed away an early Connor effort Casuals took the lead in the 52nd minute. Norris, who found himself out of his goal and near the touchline, elected to try and pick out one of his midfielders rather than clear to safety. Josh Uzun latched onto the wayward pass and lifted home superbly into the unguarded net from fully 40 yards.

The gifted midfielder was pivotal to Casuals tempo in the second period but despite a flurry of corners the early tide was ridden by visitors who made further changes of their own to try and get back into the tie.

One of those substitutes Reece York nearly levelled in the 72nd minute with a flick header who went into the arms of the well positioned Bracken.

The equaliser however did arrive some 60 seconds later. Mason Yorke’s cross looked to have evaded everyone but with Callum Webb retrieving the ball and sending in a low cross another replacement Bajram Pashaj latched onto the delivery. Despite Bracken keeping out the initial effort the ball fell back into his path and this time he made no mistake slotting home at the near post.

It was a complete turnaround almost immediately from the restart as Jake Cass dipping effort from the edge of the box smashed off the inside upright and away to safety.

Both sides pushed for the win with spaces appearing but the closest to a goal was Emmanuel Akokhia's stooping header from Uzun's cross which flew just over the bar.

New Surrey County cup rules dictate ties go straight to penalties and Casuals got off to the worst start as Danny Dudley was foiled by the sprawling Norris.

Pashaj and then Casuals Danny Bracken both scored before Chris Henry dispatched to give his side a 2-1 advantage with 3 kicks left each.

The reliable Josh Uzun levelled before Battista smacked the middle of the cross bar to restore parity.

Charlie Girdler brought on in stoppage time seemingly for the kick justified his managers faith sending Norris the wrong way before Jake Cass sent his kick high into the night sky where it’s probably still travelling now.
​
It was down to Michael Salako to seal the win and that he did with an assured conversion.

East Grinstead Town 1-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman Division One South
Saturday 21st  November 2015
Attendance: 95
Match report: Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree (view full set here)

"We’re not too downbeat. Obviously, we want to win but you can’t win them all" said Manager James Bracken after Casuals drew 1-1 at East Grinstead.

Despite their lowly position and failure to win at home this season the hosts were more than a useful side and it was clear to see why they had picked up their form of late albeit on their travels.

Stef Joseph started up front against his old side whilst the returning Michael Salako took a place on the bench as Casuals looked to get back on track following Wednesdays disappointing second 45 at Ramsgate.

The visitors made the perfect start as Juevan Spencer opened the scoring in the 4th minute. After Joseph had driven at the Wasps back line, his knock back was swung in first time on the left by Dave Hodges and after Tom Carlse had failed to head clear, the Casuals winger picked up the ball, skipped past the hapless fullback and fired low across Nic Taylor to open the scoring. (pictured above)

Casuals nearly made it 2 in the 7th minute when after Kevant Serbony and Cherno Mendy linked well in the centre of the park Spencer again on the right popped up, this time sending in a low cross for Emmanuel Akokhia but George Benner recovered to make a goal saving block.

The magnificent piece of defending was to prove pivotal as in the 12th minute the hosts equalised. A well practiced short corner was worked to the edge of the box where skipper Callum Emptage rifled into the top right hand corner.

The game was remarkably open with huge spaces for either side to exploit and it seemed only a matter of time before one took the lead. On 22 minutes Hassan Jalloh curled into Brackens arms after good hold up-play from Melford Simpson. The ex-South Kilburn and Shoreham gigantic centre forward was starting to influence the game with his sheer physical presence.

Yacine Gnahore shot wide after Brackens clearance held up in the wind as it appeared the home side had settled after their poor opening. On 26 minutes, a good move from the home side saw Leo Mazzone blast over after a low cross from Jallow was only stabbed clear.

The next 10 minutes the saw Casuals on top as the game continue to see-saw.  Joseph instigating a move with his power in the centre and after finding Mendy the resulting cross just evaded Akokhia.

Mendy nearly provided again moments later but his cross just evaded the head of Spencer and on the stroke of half time Akokhia beat keeper Taylor to Dave Hodges cross but Benner was again on-hand to clear off the line.

The second half in contrast was a much tighter affair but there was an early shout for a penalty for the hosts as Simpson tumbled to the ground to no avail.

Early pressure from Casuals from set pieces was causing problems for the home defence but without reward. 
Mendy had a shot just shy of the hour which was well held by Taylor not for the first time.

Substitute Hassan Ibrahim blasted a good chance over after the ball fell kindly from a corner before Stef Joseph forced Taylor into an acrobatic save tipping over his header from Sekou Kaba’s cross.

With 12 minutes remaining the home side had a huge call for a goal as Gillingham loanee Greg Cundle embarked on a run from half way and after blasting from 20 yards out his shot cannoned off the under side of the bar and appeared to bounce over the line. Fortune favoured Casuals as play on was the call and they somehow scrambled clear the rebound as the home side sensed a first home win.

Danny Dudley made a great block to deny Cundle but the last 10 minutes saw Casuals regain possession and Taylor had to be at his best to deny Mendy with a flying save to preserve his sides point.

James Bracken spoke after the much- starting with how tight it is getting around the play off positions.

“This league is really tight. When we were sitting in top spot and even second, you didn’t see me getting carried away and you won’t see me getting carried away now.

“I said to the lads weeks ago, at some point this season, we will go and win eight, nine or ten games in a row. We will. Whether they’ll see it coming or not, I know that’s coming and the lads will say ‘you were right’. We will have that run and when we do, you’ll see us hopefully put some distance between us and others in the playoffs.

“I was pleased with the performance, the attitude and the endeavour today” said Bracken after the match. “It was a completely different game in the first half compared to the second half. First half was so open with lots of chances. Second half, we controlled most of it in a territorial sense.

“We’re not too downbeat. Obviously, we want to win but you can’t win them all.

Speaking of the re-signing of Michael Salako – who returns to Corinthian-Casuals from Tooting and Mitcham, initially on a month loan, Bracken said,

“Joe (Davies – Assistant Manager) mentioned Michael to me and said he’s available. I’ve looked at the squad immediately for today’s match and Matt Reece was unavailable, Shaun Okojie is injured and I wanted to go with the front two that I went with. I felt we didn’t have a forward on the bench and Michael want’s to come in and try to force his way into our plans, then I’m more than willing to have a look at him.

“His goals per minute ratio is probably up there with others in the league. He scored four in four at Tooting but got dropped when Jamie Byatt signed for them, which was unfortunate for Mike. I know previously when he was here at Casuals, he got two on his debut and was dropped in the next match. But I’ll try to be fair with him. If he scores goals, plays well and does a job for the team, then the shirt can be his.”

Ramsgate 3 – 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Wednesday 18th November 2015
Southwood Stadium
Attendance: 126
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (photos here)

Corinthian-Casuals suffered a second-half collapse at the hands of Ramsgate as they let a two-goal lead slip and ultimately left the Kent coast pointless on a gusty Wednesday night.

Juevan Spencer notched two in two minutes at the end of the first half for the Amateurs but an Ian Pullman brace coupled with a Joe Taylor penalty was enough to seal a stunning comeback from the Rams.

Casuals may have felt aggrieved that they didn’t earn at least a point from the fixture after Tom Loynes looked to have handled Juevan Spencer’s header on the line. However, referee Simon Finnigan waved away strong protestations and Casuals made the long journey home with nothing to show for the evening.

It was the second long distance trip for Casuals in the space of five days after their dramatic win over Ryman Premier title contenders Leiston in the FA Trophy on the Saturday. Although only one enforced change was made by Manager James Bracken to his starting line up – Ross Defoe in for the unavailable Dave Hodges, it would prove to be pivotal. Bracken was limited with options from the bench with Charlie Girdler – yet to make his league debut and Assistant Manager Joe Davies amongst the substitutes.

A win would propel Casuals up to fourth in the table and with three wins on the spin, confidence was high. However, Ramsgate were also flying high and within the playoff spots.

With the wind blowing a gale off the nearby coastline, it was predicted early on that the conditions would play a part in the match and all five goals were scored in the direction of the following wind.

Emmanuel Akokhia had the first chance for Casuals, curling a shot around his marker but only finding Luke Watkins in goal. The first clear cut effort fell to Juevan Spencer; after neat play down the wing, Cherno Mendy whipped in a cross that Ramsgate found hard to clear and the unmarked Spencer somehow could only hit the bar from five yards out. Terry Murray was next to go close after his rasping header just passed over the bar from another set piece.

Nick Treadwell came closest for the Rams in a subdued home side’s first half. The forward could only fire wide after Luke Wheatley headed across Danny Bracken’s goal.

Minutes later, Casuals took the lead. Spencer and Mendy’s pace caused the Ram’s back four much concern and the latter’s precise ball played in the former and had no hesitation in firing past Watkins in goal.

Before Ramsgate could recover, Spencer struck again. This time taking advantage of a Joe Kane back pass which fell short and the winger bagged his brace at the near post. 2-0 wasn’t a scoreline that flattered the visitors and in truth, the game should’ve been out of sight.

If Corinth hadn’t put the match to bed before half time, they really should have two minutes after the break. A beautifully weighted ball from Kevant Serbony found Mendy on the left who only had Watkins to beat. However, the striker showed too much of the ball and gave the keeper the chance to close him down and block the resulting shot. Casuals were to rue their spurned chances.

Almost immediately, Ian Pullman pulled a goal back in a very well worked free kick. With the wind proving tough to judge any clearances, the dead ball was knocked in from the halfway line and Kane Smith diverted his header across goal for an unmarked Pullman to slot home.
​
And then it was two; Loynes was found on the wing with only Ross Defoe to beat but the stand-in full back tripped the Ram’s striker and a penalty was given. Joe Taylor calmly placed the ball in the net from the resulting spot kick to give parity to the match.

Ramsgate adopted a ‘shoot on sight’ policy and sent a number of rasping wind-assisted shots in the direction of Danny Bracken. One smacked the bar whilst the keeper did well to handle others, even making an impressive triple save to keep Corinth in the match. But he’ll be upset with the one that got through. A foul on the edge of the box gave Ramsgate a great opportunity to fizz one at the keeper and most expected this. But the resultant free kick from Pullman was a pea-roller which trickled along the floor somehow beat Bracken who could only fumble it into his own net.

James Bracken threw on Ben Cotton and Stef Joseph in an attempt to get something out of the game and pushed forward, seeing Akokhia’s shot well blocked before Bracken was once again called into action to produce another fine save at the hands of Pullman.

Perhaps Casuals deserved a point and should have at least had the opportunity to level the scores. Deep into added time, Mendy once again found Spencer who beautifully headed home only to see Loynes clear off the line turning the ball away with the use of his arm. But although many at that end had seen the infringement, the Referee hadn’t and turned away protests from the Casuals players much to their frustration.

And that’s how it ended; a frustrating night for James Bracken’s team as they look to recover their early season league form which has since deserted them and have now only gathered six points from their last six league matches. Though it can be argued that their recent cup runs are putting a strain on the squad (Casuals are still in all knockout competitions bar the FA Cup), James Bracken will have to find a way to address the inconsistency, starting with East Grinstead on Saturday.

After the match, James Bracken commented on the performance.

“We’ve got to look at ourselves seeing as we lost the game. First half we played relatively well and we should’ve been three or four up. We had a couple of great chances, including hitting the bar from less than six yards and the free header. At four-nil, it’s game over. But at two-nil, it’s never safe.

“I tell them where they have to defend for set pieces and that they’ve got to stay resolute just like we did on Saturday at Leiston. But we haven’t hit those levels tonight.

“But I’m getting really fed up with the standard of refereeing. Not just one or two decisions but the whole game through. They hear a scream, hear a shout and they blow their whistle.

“The first half, he almost swallowed his whistle three times for totally nothing challenges. You think to yourself, why are you blowing four or five times, like it’s kicking off when it’s a nothing foul? He was totally influenced by a scream when there was literally no foul to give. No contact… no one near… but a load of shouting and he blows his whistle.

“It was 100% handball on the line at the end. The problem with us is that we need to appeal for what is ours because everybody else does. Yet it only seems to be myself and Joe next to me that is appealing. Juevan’s made the first chance and it’s hit the defender on the hand, and he’s gone for the rebound which is fair enough because you play to the whistle. But why haven’t we got three or four other lads already shouting out for handball? Why isn’t that call out there? It’s a penalty! They certainly would’ve shouted for it and they’d certainly been given the penalty and had one of ours sent off.

“It’s frustrating… not only with that but with our own play. In my opinion, if we’d have played anywhere near the level we did at Leiston, we’d have scored five.

We had opportunities to play players in, we had moments where players were making the right runs but we took too many touches and squandered chances. That’s what we didn’t do on Saturday. I said we were perfect at Leiston and even without the ball, we were great. Tonight, we didn’t defend well conceding three poor goals and we’ve not been particularly good with the ball. Yes – we’ve scored two, but on a night like tonight, it’s not enough.

“We’ll pick up and go again. But that was a tough one to swallow because we were two up and perhaps they thought that two was enough.

“When you play away from home on a windy old night like tonight, two goals isn’t clearly enough. That’s why we lost.

“We’ve got to look at ourselves a bit, take heed of what I’m telling them. If they do, we’ll kick on and if they don’t, they won’t play.” 

Leiston 1-2 Corinthian-Casuals
FA Trophy 3rd Round Qualifying
Saturday 14th November 2015
Victory Road
​Match report: Darren Pasley. Images from Stuart Tree (full set here).

Corinthian-Casuals progressed into the 3rd Round Qualifying of the FA Trophy for the first time in their history after Terry Murray’s goal in stoppage time dispatched of Ryman Premier side Leiston in their own manor.
 
In truth it was fully deserved for James Bracken’s men who in the words of their opponent’s supporters post match were “The best side we’ve seen here this season”
 
There was little indication of the monsoon weather conditions that were to follow as the game kicked off. The heavy overnight rain had left the pitch heavy and slippery for its inhabitants.
 
Casuals settled into the game early and after Ben King had found Sekou Kaba his cross saw shots from Emmanuel Akokhia and King blocked before Kaba sent a third effort just wide with a right footed drive.
 
The home side in the 14th minute showed their qualities for the first time with a move that started with keeper Ashlee Jones rolling the ball out and after several passes Billy Clark had a low cross from the right well cut out by Danny Bracken.
 
Casuals had a shout for a penalty shortly afterwards when Akokhia went down after an aerial challenge from home captain Joe Jefford but the half hearted claims were waved away.
 
If the Casuals 9 felt aggrieved, he responded in the perfect fashion opening the scoring in the 18th minute. Cherno Mendy played the ball out to the him out wide on the right and after stepping inside 2 defenders his left footed curling shot looped up with a deflection and spun in off the inside of the right handed up-right.
 
It was just reward for a confident start from the visitors whose chasing down of their hosts was forcing them to concede possession cheaply.
 
 In spite of this, the home side found a route back into the match in the 34th minute when Danny Bracken sliding out made contact with Tom Winter and a penalty was awarded. Joe Francis finished well to bring the game level.
 
This spurred the home side to their best spell and they should have taken the lead 5 minutes before the break but Leon Ottley-Gooch headed wide at the back post with the goal gapping.
 
With the rain arriving back before and during the break the full elements of the Suffolk weather exposed itself for the duration of the second period. Again, Casuals started well with Mendy and Warren Morgan threatening down the right hand side.
 
The home side kicking down their favoured slope and with the wind on their backs were more dominant territorial wise than the first half but let down by the final ball, especially on their set piece delivers which were remarkably poor.
 
It wasn't until the last 20 minutes that the higher placed side started to threaten and after Francis fired an effort from distance wide the pressure cranked up.
 
Danny Bracken made a magnificent point blank save to deny Winter after Patrick Brothers left wing cross picked the striker out. However, 6 yards out, his effort was brilliantly tipped over.
 
Bracken again got down well to deny Winter again at his near post after the ball fell invitingly with 10 minutes remaining.
 
Casuals maybe should have taken the lead with 2 minutes remaining as Cherno Mendy spurned a glorious chance. Juevan Spencer won back possession from Blake Saker and found substitute Stef Joseph. After battling into the box, Kaba fed Mendy whose shot deflected off the inside of Jones’ legs and spun just the wrong side of the post.
 
With both sides seemingly set for a replay, deep into stoppage time, Spencer once again created problems down the left. After being upended on the edge of the box by the by-line he stepped up to take the resulting free-kick.
 
A curling delivery caused panic in the box and despite the close attentions of Ben King who initially claimed the goal Terry Murray was credited with nudging the ball over the line which sparked mass celebrations from players, management and the vocal travelling army behind the goal.
 
The win puts Corinth into the draw for the 3rd Qualifying Round and nets the club a cool £3,250 in FA prize money. After the match, Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree.
 
“We come here today to get a result which I felt we could achieve and we got that which is nothing less than we deserved. The boys played really well today.
 
“I said to them in the changing room that I have an opinion on what it is to be perfect in football, because perfect is not achievable most of the time, but today, they were perfect… every single one of them. They couldn’t have given any more.
 
“They not only battled but had quality about their game. They had composure too. We’ve scored two goals in a tough place to come and do so. Leiston are second in the Ryman Premier for reason. They’re a good side. However, we’ve come here and in my opinion and the opinion of most, we’ve thoroughly deserved to come away with the win.
 
“I heard that they described us as the best side they’ve played at home all season. They’re nice people and a couple of them have said to me that is the case. Considering we’re from the division below, that’s really nice to hear. Even though they’ve been beaten today, they’ve had nothing but compliments for us.
 
“Conditions weren’t ideal but you have to adapt to those and perhaps in some matches this season, we’ve not done that so well. But we’ve done it today even when the pitch by the end of the game was a slop. We’ve done the right things and played the conditions perfectly. We’ve not tried to do things that can’t be done on this pitch. We kept the game simple and stuck to our guns and worked our socks off.
 
“Who would I like in the next round? Another winnable game please. Try and put a few more quid in the coffers, see if we can get another scalp and have another good day like we’ve done here.”

Corinthian-Casuals 2-0 AFC Croydon Athletic
London Senior Cup 1st Round
Tuesday 10th November 2015
Attendance: 73
Match report: Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree

Goalkeeper and skipper Danny Bracken was the hero but at the other end of the pitch for once as Casuals overcame a tricky tie against AFC Croydon Athletic.

​Their hosts after promotion to the old Kent League via the Combined Counties have made a decent start and lie mid-table and their robust but committed approach made it uneasy at times for their hosts.

​Before the match, played on the eve of Remembrance Day, players of Corinthian-Casuals paid tribute to the Corinthians who fell in battle in World War One, as commemorated on the club War Memorial which recently returned from being displayed in the National Football Museum. Combined, Corinthian-Casuals hold the tragic and unwanted record of being the football club that lost the most men in World War One.
 
James Bracken rotated his squad handing starts to Ben King, Ross Defoe, Ben Cotton and Stef Joseph whilst Charlie Girdler made his debut.

The visitors started on the front foot and 40 seconds in Louis Blake was allowed time and space to fire off a shot from just inside the area which was parried away by Danny Bracken.

13 minutes into his Casuals career and Girlder was booked for an off the ball altercation with his opposite number Fred Fleming. It was just one of a series of niggly incidents which blighted the half and prevented the game developing into any sort of a free flowing contest.

It was a slow start from Casuals who appeared to holding onto the ball individually for too long but the first sign of quality opened up their opponents in the 33rd minute.
Kevant Serbony choosing the right time to feed Cherno Mendy and bearing down on goal the intervention of keeper Daniel Burnett kept the scores level. From the resulting corner Josh Uzun curled just over.

Although not offering a major threat going forward the commitment and tough approach from the Southern Counties East side was disputing their opponents but Danny Dudley was inches away from getting on the end of Ben Cotton’s free kick as half time approached.

There was still time for Blake to be denied by Bracken again, this time a tame show easily saved before Cotton fired wide in stoppage time after Burnett had punched clear Joseph’s cross.

Casuals took the lead 5 minutes into the second half after Josh Uzun went down under the challenge of 2 defenders. Having been injured winning the penalty and forced to leave the field it was left for goalkeeper Danny Bracken to step up and duly convert to open the scoring.

The Step 5 side nearly replied immediately when Blake headed over from a right wing cross and again threatened with an hour gone as Josh Smith latched onto a long goal kick but despite reaching the by-line his cut back failed to find a team mate and Ross Defoe cleared.

Although Casuals seemed in control they still had to be alert defensively and only a fine Ben King block denied substitute Raheem Sterling-Parker whose shot appeared to be goal bound.

The game was wrapped up in the 76th minute when Stef Joseph shrugged off the attentions of Jamie Pearson and his low left footed effort crept under the body of Dan Burnett to double the lead.

Other than a cross from Callum McLean which looped onto the top of the net it was a relatively comfortable closing stages for the home side who booked a date with Dulwich hamlet next month.
 
Speaking to Stuart tree after the match the Casuals Captain spoke of his intent to score more goals.
“We’d discussed me taking penalties after the Worthing result, seeing as we’d missed the last two spot kicks by putting them over the bar,” said Bracken.
 
“Being a goalkeeper, I’m confident that I know what the other goalie is thinking, so I go the opposite way and hopefully will score every time.
 
“I’ve taken two in a penalty shootout before today and I’ve scored all three. I’m comfortable in putting the ball wherever and I don’t think I’m predictable in how I take one.
 
“If Josh [Uzun], our regular penalty taker isn’t on the pitch, then yes… I’ll be taking them. I’m confident that I’m going to score, so why not continue.”
 
“But the most important thing for me is to keep a clean sheet. That’s two in a row now. We’ve gone quite a long time without one previous to that. But I play to keep clean sheets first and foremost… not score goals.”  

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 Hythe Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 7th November 2015
Attendance: 104
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set of pics here)

Corinthian-Casuals got back to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Hythe Town – their first ever victory over the Cannons in the Ryman League.
 
Juevan Spencer’s 29th minute back-post header from a Cherno Mendy cross was all that separated the two sides. The Tolworth-based side were able to hold onto the win despite intense pressure from the Kent coasters throughout the second half.
 
And Manager James Bracken praised his side’s resilience and admitted that the good times may have made his side forget how to battle hard.
 
“That defensive side of us has been there from the start of the season.” said Bracken. “Even through pre-season, we were getting results because we were resilient.
 
“Maybe a few results and a winning streak makes you forget about that aspect of the game and perhaps you feel like you can win games without having to do that.
 
“So we’ve had a bit of a wake-up call. We know we have to battle hard and that’s what we’ve certainly done today.”
 
Casuals came into the game without midfielder Brandon Johnson, who broke his toe in the 3-0 defeat at Worthing on Tuesday. Warren Morgan and Sekou Kaba returned after missing the previous game. Josh Uzun had recovered from his hamstring injury enough to be included in the squad.
 
Hythe Town’s line-up had dramatically changed since the 1-1 draw at Reachfields in August. With a new manager and a host of new players, including ex Tooting and Dulwich forward Frankie Sawyer, the Cannons came into the game having not lost in their previous five outings.
 
The windy conditions favoured Corinth in the first half and the home side looked to capitalise. Niall Wright’s well hit shot was well charged down and Juevan Spencer’s pace caused problems for the Hythe back four, slipping behind them on a regular basis. The winger was close to connecting to a well-placed through ball but Hythe’s full back, Stephen Butcher perfectly timed an interception to clear the danger.
 
The deadlock was broken on 29 minutes; Cherno Mendy, wide on the left wing, swung a cross to the back post and Spencer broke free of his marker and rose high to head past Joe Mant to give Corinth the lead.
 
After the break, Hythe stepped up a gear and put the home side under pressure, pinning them back in their own half. Danny Dudley put in a Man of the Match performance alongside Terry Murray to deny any equaliser. Both Dudley and Murray, along with Kaba deflected wind-assisted shots over from Ryan Johnson and Jamie Collado.
 
Hythe came closest to levelling the scores when Alfie May connected with a corner at the back post and appeared to be goal bound with the exception of Murray who was on hand to clear off the line. Hearts were in the mouths of Casuals’ fans when the Assistant Referee flagged, perhaps to award the goal, but in actual fact was for an infringement.
 
Corinth’s defensive performance was one of the finest seen this season and reminiscent of how they played against Met Police in pre-season. On the rare occasions that the defence was breached, Danny Bracken was on hand to make fine saves, including one particular quick reaction stop with his leg to prevent a sure-fire goal.
​
Although most of the play was in Casuals’ half, Cherno Mendy could’ve secured the result. His breakaway run ended with his 20 yard shot whistling just over the bar.
 
The only downside to the half from a Corinth point of view was the loss of Niall Wright, who had to be carried off with an injury that looks to potentially keep him out of action for a while.
 
But it was to be Corinth’s day. They held on for a win in a game with few chances. What will please James Bracken and his team is not only the ability to defend well in tight games but to finish chances when they’re so few and far between.   
 
Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree after the game.

“That was better today. We had a poor result on Tuesday night against Worthing… a poor half in fact. I thought we were quite good in the first period where we had a game plan that worked well but the second half wasn’t good enough. They were told in no uncertain terms and we’ve addressed what needed to be addressed. Today we’ve come and kept a clean sheet and done what’s needed to be done to get the win.
 
“That defensive side of us has been there from the start of the season. Even through pre-season, we were getting results because we were resilient.
 
“Maybe a few results and a winning streak makes you forget about that aspect of the game and perhaps you feel like you can win games without having to do that.
 
“So we’ve had a bit of a wake-up call. We know we have to battle hard and that’s what we’ve certainly done today.
 
 “I will never judge any of my teams in defeat… I’ll judge them on their reaction. That reaction tells me there’s no problem in this side whatsoever.”

Worthing 3-0 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 3rd November 2015
Attendance: 255
Match Report:Darren Pasley
Pics:Stuart Tree

A missed spot kick once again came back to haunt Casuals as hosts Worthing took full advantage to move above Corinth in the league table.

In truth they never looked back after taking the lead right on half time but for James Bracken's side it was definitely a case of “What might have been?”
 
With injuries still sweeping the squad making Josh Uzun, Stef Joseph , Sekou Kaba and Warren Morgan unavailable, Niall Wright reverted to full back for the first time this season whilst there was a rare start for Ben Cotton.
 
It was a bright opening from the hosts showing early on they have already adapted to their new pitch on which an artificial surface was installed over the summer.
 
Saturday's hat-trick hero Kevant Serbony volleyed over from edge of box in the 5th minute for Casuals' first effort as they sought back to back away wins following a 2-1 win at Chatham 10 days earlier.
 
Cherno Mendy - another scorer from the weekend, found Emmanuel Akokhia with a perfect low cross after breaking down the right but the striker couldn’t bring the ball under control with just the keeper to beat in the 7th minute.
 
There was a nice early flow to the game with both sides justifying their lofty positions and the seasoned Omar Bugiel fired just wide via a deflection as the hosts flexed their muscles for the first time.
 
Callum Overton cut in from the right and had a low left footed effort watched past the post by Danny Bracken as the evening mist started to descend on Woodside Road.
 
A Danny Dudley header sailed just over from Niall Wrights free kick before Casuals fashioned the best chance of the match so far in the 20th minute. Juevan Spencer and Danny Dudley linked well down the left with the latter crossing low for the arriving Mendy. However from 6 yards out his side-foot cleared the bar. In fairness to Mendy, the ball had sat up after deflecting off Gary Elphick's outstretched leg.
 
The home sides Lloyd Dawes who was a constant threat throughout the evening tested Bracken with a shot from 20 yards before switching flanks and getting inside Hodges before his low cross was cleared away.
 
Cherno Mendy's running was causing problems for the home defence and in the 39th minute after another run in which 3 defenders were left trailing in his wake he was upended just inside the area by Corey Heath. With regular penalty taker Uzun on the treatment table Akokhia stepped up but side-footed his effort onto the bar before it looped to safety.
 
This seemed to inspire the home side and right on the whistle for half time they took the lead. After breaking from a Casuals attack Dawes was the beneficiary of a couple of lucky breaks before playing in Bugiel who nipped in before Bracken to squeeze over the line.
 
Casuals made a good start to the second period with an early corner causing chaos and from the resulting loose ball Brandon Johnson was denied superbly by keeper Rikki Banks before the ball was twice hacked off the line as the home side survived.
 
It turned out to be Corinth's only real threat of the half however as Worthing looked likely to add a second. Bugiel came close after a low corner just evaded his sliding lunge before Dawes embarked on another run this time beating 4 men as bracken once again came to his sides rescue.
 
Just past the hour mark and Bracken saved with his legs to deny Dawes again after Bugiel was this time the provider. Dawes blasted a free kick just wide before the second goal - which was coming - arrived in the 76th minute. A corner from Dawes on the left saw Bugiel slip his marker to head home from 7 yards.
 
Dawes was rewarded for his own performance with 4 minutes remaining after finally beating Bracken with a low shot that was still almost kept out by the Casuals skipper.
 
There was still time for a Brannon O'Neil free kick to fly in; Bracken diverting over, before Shaun Brown misjudged a back post header from Mendy's cross as Casual's offered a late conciliatory response.