Tooting & Mitcham United 1 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Surrey Senior Cup
Wednesday 29th November 2017
Match report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)

Corinthian-Casuals exited the Surrey Senior Cup at the first hurdle courtesy of a solitary Elijah Simpson goal, giving Tooting and Mitcham United passage to the next round.

A bitterly cold night coupled with two sides who’d made extensive changes to their line-ups meant that only 65 souls watched this first round encounter at the KNK Stadium.

James Bracken had 12 players unavailable, including six forwards in what was a makeshift-looking Casuals side. Tooting fielded 9 youngsters in their line-up giving them valuable game time.

Missing the likes of Jordan Clarke, top scorer Danny Cunningham, Reyon Dillon, Max Oldham, Gabriel Odunaike and Matt Reece was telling as although Casuals had plenty of possession, they never really tested Liam Sallis in goal.

Casuals looked the more assured in possession and pushed forward early before suffering a setback in the 12th minute. An error in defence let in Elijah Simpson to pounce on the break gifting the Terrors an early lead.

Omari-Delgado Hibbert, starting his second game for Casuals fired a half-chance into the side netting. The main talking point at half time came about whether referee Mr Nigel Lugg should’ve awarded a penalty to the visitors when Mu Maan’s charge into the box was abruptly interrupted and was felled. Play on, waved Lugg much to the protestations of Maan, his teammates and supporters.

Corinth pressed on for the equaliser in the second half and as the clock ticked, the threat level increased. Mu Maan’s snap-shot from 15 yards was narrowly deflected wide of the post. Ben Cheklit rounded Sallis and finished well only to see the Referee’s Assistant holding aloft his flag for offside. Warren Morgan flashed a shot over the bar following a poor clearance from Sallis. The chances kept coming, but ultimately falling away.

However, the writing was on the wall when Ike Robertson-Feehi’s stab at goal was turned off the line by a bundle of Tooting defenders – the rebound not quite falling kind enough for Maan to react as he could only push it wide.

Tooting held on for the win and make it into the draw for the next round. We wish them the best for the competition and their league campaign.

​Manager James Bracken said after the match: "Not in a million years did we deserve to lose tonight. We’ve gifted them a goal against the run of play.
 
"Second half we’ve pretty much laid siege on their goal. How they’ve cleared one chance off the line, I’ll never know. I’m not quite sure how we haven’t scored. We’ve had plenty of shots. A few were a little wayward. Get them on target with the wind behind us, we probably would’ve scored.
 
"But they’ve managed to nick a win and that’s fair enough. That’s football and sometimes it happens.
 
"That was a definite penalty in the first half. We’re not getting the rub of the green anywhere at the moment.
 
"All I ask for is consistency. Don’t book us for infringements and not the other side. It’s happening too often at the moment. If we get a fair and level playing field every week, we’ll win.
 
"If we get that penalty, it goes 1-1 and then there’s only one winner in the match from there.
 
"We had twelve players unavailable too. We had a front three missing and then the attacking wide players as well. That’s perhaps why we didn’t score. But I’m not taking anything away from those boys who were out there. We performed well enough and there won’t be any harsh words said to them for losing. We changed shape seamlessly, created problems right up to the final whistle and they gave it their all. So I’ve no problems with them whatsoever.
 
"We just didn’t get the rub of the green. A few scuffed chances scrambled off the line. Another day, they go in." 

Sittingbourne 2 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League South
Saturday 25th November 2017
Match report and pics: Stuart Tree (photos here)

​Corinthian-Casuals had to come from behind twice to salvage a draw at playoff-contenders Sittingbourne in the Bostik League South on Saturday.
 
Reyon Dillon and Gabriel Odunaike’s equalisers were enough to keep James Bracken’s side in the automatic promotion spots but they had to work hard for it against a physically-imposing Bourne side.
 
Going into the match missing key strikers Danny Cunningham and Jordan Clarke, mixed with the absence of Dave Hodges and Nathan Daly at the back meant Bracken was forced to make several changes as Casuals looked to get back to winning ways against Nick Davies’ Brickies who have had a bright start to the season themselves.
 
Often the first ten minutes set the scene for the whole ninety and this wasn’t much different. Casuals spluttered and most advancements forward were easily matched by a resolute home side’s defence. 6’7” Lex Allan lapped up most of the aerial threat. Neither side created anything to trouble the highlight reel. Reyon Dillon flashed a shot wide of the mark in a rare breakthrough.
 
Nearing half time, Kevant Serbony clattered into John Coker and there was no hesitation in a spot-kick being awarded. Coker stepped up and sent Danny Bracken the wrong way to give the home side the lead.
 
However, Sittingbourne were pegged back on the stroke of half time when Dillon shrugged off several challenges before shooting low into the bottom corner to give scoreline parity. Jack Strange had a well placed header held by keeper Jordan Carey following a floated free kick from Ben Cheklit.
 
The second half saw Casuals emerge without an injured Coskun Ekim but still came out of their shells and looked the more dangerous. As we know, possession counts for nothing if no end product can be found and they fell behind once again; Kane Rowland tapping in from close range from a Kane Phillip cross. It looked as though the Amateur’s defence had switched off at a vital moment.
 
The game wasn’t done. Casuals forced more pressure and the excellent Carey was equal to most of it. Cheklit’s curling shot was well saved and the custodian turned an Odunaike shot around his post. However, the resulting corner wasn’t sufficiently cleared and Odunaike pounced, forcing the ball home from ten yards, much to the jubilation of his teammates.
 
The result was only Casuals third draw in the whole season and second in the league. It leaves Bracken’s side level on points with leaders Lewes but the chasing pack behind, closing in. Life isn’t easy at the top and Casuals need to put this last week behind them and get back to their winning ways.
 
“That for me was a point gained today what with going behind twice and coming back”, said Bracken after the match.
 
“At the end, we had chances to nick it and win but today wasn’t great from us.”
 
“They play a very direct style and with three of our most regular back four missing, coming to a side that were flying at the start of the season, and have players returning, it was always going to be a tough game.”
 
“I don’t think the referee helped our cause in the slightest. The penalty for me is a little bit soft, but beyond that, we weren’t given a fair shout across the whole game. Some of the incidents that happened need to be looked at again.”
 
“But the boys carried on going. Showed character again coming from behind twice. If you’re going to win leagues which we’re going to try and do, then you need to show that character in these moments.”

Corinthian-Casuals 3 - 0 Ashford United
Bostik League South
Saturday 18th November 2017
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)

Corinthian-Casuals hit the summit of the Bostik League South with a routine 3-0 win over lowly but spirited Ashford United.

Two goals from Reyon Dillon sandwiched Max Oldham’s strike to propel Casuals two points clear of second place Lewes, who have a game in hand.

Matches like this have often been a thorn in the side of James Bracken’s ambitions with potential ‘banana skin’ slip-ups against those struggling at the foot of the table.

Despite a resounding 6-1 win at South Park on Tuesday night, Bracken made five changes to the starting XI and admitted afterwards that he had ten players unavailable through either suspension or injury. What has been evident this campaign is the strength in depth.

Ashford have struggled in their first season back at Step Four but on this afternoon, they showed that they’re a better side than perhaps league position suggests. Though Fraser Walker gifting the ball to Reyon Dillon in the eighth minute didn’t help their cause. The defender misjudged a pass which let the imposing striker freely shoot from 20 yards into the bottom corner to give Casuals the early lead.

Was this to be another straightforward victory? Not immediately. Though retaining the bulk of the possession and territory, Casuals didn’t quite click, especially where it mattered. Delivery from wide areas were nowhere near as clinical as at South Park. That’s not to say chances didn’t go begging. Dillon’s slip in the six yard box at the crucial moment prevented him from bagging a first-half brace. By the end of the 45 minutes, Ashford had grown into the game and put late pressure on the Casuals defence.

The second half saw more frustration as Corinth looked to put the game to bed. Dillon’s bundled effort was adjudged to have been offside and the score remained at a precarious 1-0. Josh Uzun’s whipped free kick was safely held by Aaron Lee-Wharton in goal. Max Oldham’s improvised scissor kick, parried from a Lee-Wharton save was aimed just wide. Frustrating, especially as Casuals’ promotion-chasing rivals were all losing.

Thankfully, with 20 minutes remaining, Oldham put the game out of Ashford’s sight. Man of the Match Mu Maan played a perfect pass to the zippy American who had no hesitation in placing the ball between Lee-Wharton’s legs to make it 2-0.

Dillon wrapped up the proceedings in the 82nd minute converting a Gabriel Odunaike cross and celebrating with his now trademark knee slide. Job done. Casuals made hard work of it at times and Ashford have some real quality which they’ll look to build upon in the coming weeks.
 
"We made hard work of it," said Manager James Bracken after the match. "We had some good chances in the first half and had some fantastic balls flash across the face of their goal. But we didn’t punish them as we should’ve done. In no way, shape or form was that our most fluid performance but with the rain and the pitch becoming more greasy, it’s not easy."

"The squad was fully used again. Not out of choice but necessity. The boys who came in have done well though. I actually thought it’d be a 1-0 game. I said on Tuesday that you get some games where we’ll score six from six chances and others that you scrape a 1-0."

"Fair play to the lads for getting another couple of goals on top though. That’s tipped our goal difference to being the best in the league which helps."

"My approach won’t change being at the top. We have to remember that Lewes have a game in hand and if they win it, we’re second. We’ll approach it that way."

"Results going our way was nice. Greenwich losing to Horsham, Lewes scraping a draw with a last-minute equaliser at home to Thamesmead and Sittingbourne comfortably beaten by South Park. These things happen and we have to use their misfortune as a wakeup call that next time, it could be us. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen.

"Let’s remember, it’s November. We’re top now. In another week’s time, we might be back down to second or third. We’ll do our best to stay ahead though. It is out of our hands with Lewes’ game in hand, but we’re going well and we must keep it up."

South Park 1 - 6 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League South
Tuesday 14th November 2017
​Match report: Stuart Tree

Call it commentator’s curse. You know? The one where the expert pundit confidently makes a statement only for the exact opposite to unravel in front of their eyes.

Think Tim Lovejoy’s ubiquitous, ‘it’s only Ray Parlour’ before the Romford Pele belted the winner past his beloved Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Or when Hernan Crespo put AC Milan 3-0 up against Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final... cue Andy Gray: “Game well and truly over, and I hate saying that.”

For 99.9% of matches at the eighth tier of English football, this propensity isn’t a factor. Games at this level are rarely broadcast but with the Bostik League’s deal with broadcasters ‘Back of the Net’, those who couldn’t make the trip to Reigate on a cold November night were able to tune into their live radio broadcast. Tune in like a certain programme editor who is writing this report despite being holed up at home making the decision to finish Saturday’s edition rather than have a late night (yes – I am writing a report based on what was broadcast, twitter feeds and messaging those who actually weren’t fair-weather fans like myself).

Pundits Ben Eltham and Mick Sullivan do an excellent job but commentator’s curse isn’t reserved for only the ost well known broadcasters. Sullivan was adamant that there was no way Malcolm Porter’s South Park side was going to succumb to the same kind of drubbing that Casuals gave them back in September, where James Bracken’s boys lampooned the Sparks by five goals to nil. No way!

Porter’s side was too good for that. It was an anomaly. A blip. No way were Casuals good enough to produce that kind of performance again and no way Porter would allow his side to be walked all over again. In fact, Sullivan tipped South Park to take the contest, ignoring Casuals fine form which saw them sit second in the league.

Within twenty five minutes of the contest, the analysis had bitten them truly on the behind. Gabriel Odunaike had given Casuals the lead with their first attack after 10 minutes. Max Oldham doubled the lead on 22 minutes and Danny Cunningham had added to Park’s woes on 25. 3-0 within half an hour was a blitz that few had predicted. It could’ve been worse for the home side as ex-Casual Josh Gallagher was lucky to stay on the field following a rash challenge on Kevant Serbony. Unsurprisingly, Gallagher wasn’t to last the 90 minutes.

South Park were given a lifeline on the stroke of half time when Chris Smith stepped up to the penalty spot and sent Danny Bracken the wrong way after Corinth had sloppily conceded a penalty. Eltham and Sullivan lamented that they expected Porter to lay into his side but perhaps Bracken would be the one more disappointed going into the changing rooms following the generosity of gifting a penalty.

Despite the setback, Casuals remained in control for the most part and their task was made easier when Gallagher was issued a second yellow and received his marching orders, leading to the chant “you should’ve stayed with the Casuals.”

Despite only 88 given as the attendance, you could hear the noise of the Corinth faithful across the airwaves. Amongst their ranks was Albert and Caio (pictured). Corinthians fans who’d flown in from Sao Paulo on Saturday only to arrive straight from the airport at the 92nd minute – suitcases and all in tow. Gutting. They had tickets to see Brazil bore their way to a 0-0 draw against England at Wembley on this night. Instead, they chose to head down to the nether regions of Reigate to finally get to see the Casuals in action. Brandishing their £45 tickets, they never stopped singing and even taught the rabble how to ‘Poropopo’ – a famous chanting dance found on the terraces of Arena Corinthians. They certainly made the right choice.

They had more to cheer about following Gallagher’s dismissal. It opened the floodgates for Corinthian-Casuals to surge forward and Just two minutes later, Odunaike bagged his second. Oldham, not to be outdone, matched him on 84 minutes before Odunaike got the final say by poking home in time added on. Final score: 6-1.

Eltham and Sullivan were bewildered and their prediction couldn’t have been further from the truth. The resounding win puts Casuals joint top with Lewes on points and remarkably, despite no player hitting double figures in the scoring charts, Bracken’s side are currently the league’s top scorers with 40 goals. Putting over a quarter of those goals past Park will help!

Corinthian-Casuals 1 – 3  Wingate and Finchley
BBuildabase FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round
Saturday 11th November 2017
Match report: Cameron Smith

The plucky and well-organised Wingate & Finchley replied to Dave Hodges’ opener with three, hard-hitting blows to Corinthian-Casuals’ Buildbase FA Trophy campaign as James Bracken’s side exited the cup in the 2nd Qualifying Round on a soggy afternoon in Tolworth.

Corinth were booming with confidence on Tuesday; a Jordan Clarke double alongside goals from Jack Strange and Danny Cunningham sealed a 4-1 victory over the lowly Molesey. Celebrations were minimal as an impending FA Trophy tie with Wingate & Finchley on the Saturday was undoubtedly fresh in boss Bracken’s mind. A Bostik League Premier Division side, the North-West Londoners sit in a respectable 11th in their league with Keith Rowland as manager- would they be able to break Casuals’ impressive six game winning streak?

Before proceedings began, the referee gathered players to the centre spot for a minute’s silence, led by a moving rendering of The Last Post,  as Corinthian-Casuals and Wingate & Finchley remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice in war and conflict.

It was a goalless opening half-an-hour that was riddled with half-chances and near misses for both teams; the hosts were superior in creating opportunities and retaining possession. Danny Cunningham had a fiery effort saved by Blues keeper Shane Gore following a terrific build-up involving Gabriel Odunaike and Max Oldham. It was a Casuals side with plenty of pace and attacking prowess as speedy left-back Dave Hodges returned after a lengthy absence, Malachi Robinson took his place on the opposite flank, and starts for Mu Maan and Kevant Serbony added strength and solidity to the midfield. In fact, Mu Maan had already made an impression on the game early on, but it was a negative one. Wingate no.6 Ahmed Rifat had exchanged words with the Casuals no.7 before a corner, and the clash had earned the duo a yellow card each in the fifth minute. The away side’s midfielder attempted to provoke Maan even more, but the Casuals player ignored him and continued with the game.

So in the 31st minute, when Dave Hodges netted to open the scoring, it was very satisfying for the Casuals contingent. The no.3 had found space in the penalty area; after overpowering Wingate’s unfortunate left-back, Hodges had the chance to slip the ball under the committed keeper. It was an acute angle, but Super Dave had no troubles in guiding the ball into the net as Corinthians took the lead!

Ten minutes later, Casuals found themselves on the back foot- a free-kick from just outside the area was taken by Ben Pattie… and scored. The effort curled expertly into the top corner as the scores were levelled. Minutes after the equaliser, another free-kick in a similar position earned Serbony a yellow card, but Pattie was denied this time by a fantastic full-stretch save from Danny Bracken.

It was 1-1 at half-time as the supporters swapped ends, and the players swapped goals. James Bracken would be congratulating his players for scoring and giving a higher opposition some competition, but also telling them to concentrate and keep strong at the back. As soon as the referee started the second half, Wingate looked the more organised. It took nearly twenty minutes, but Rowland’s eleven did take the lead for the first time in the match via Rob Laney, who converted after a set-piece scramble with a bullet header. The travelling Wingate supporters were in jubilance at their improved performance in the second half as Casuals were behind!

From an agonising Mu Maan one-on-one miss, to a Coskun Ekim longshot, Corinth were unfortunate not to grab the next goal of the game. Wingate took advantage of Casuals’ lack of clinical attacking play when ex-Woking youngster Reece Beckles-Richards volleyed the ball into the back of the net in the 79th minute, to clinch the game for the visitors.

Three blows on the referee’s whistle brought the end to an entertaining, but overall frustrating 90 minutes for James Bracken’s pink and brown army. We wish Wingate & Finchley all the best for the rest of the season, and the next round of the FA Trophy. Terminating Casuals’ six-game winning run, the Bracken Brothers will be sure to put this disappointing result behind them ahead of a tough away fixture at South Park on Tuesday in the league.

Corinthian-Casuals 4 – 1 Molesey
Bostik League South
Tuesday 7th November 2017
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals made it six wins on the bounce with a comfortable 4-1 win over strugglers Molesey in the Bostik League South.

Played in relentless rain, Casuals produced an emphatic first half display which realistically put the game to bed by half time, leading 3-0 at the half-way mark.

Goals from Jordan Clarke, Jack Strange and Danny Cunningham saw the Amateurs rise to second in the league table with favourable results in other matches going Casuals’ way.

From a supporter’s standpoint, it was pleasing to see Casuals not concede early, as they had done in the previous four matches, having to come from behind in each to claim victory. Despite this, both sides started lively, with Molesey looking better than their league position suggests.

Despite the willingness of Moles, it was Casuals’ class that would see the deadlock broken. Jordan Clarke, skipping around the penalty box eventually saw him get his shot off and beat keeper Liam Allen at the near post.
Since Manager James Bracken laid down the law about not scoring enough from set-pieces, it feels like they can’t stop scoring from them. A corner whipped in wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to the feet of Jack Strange who blasted it through a packed six yard box and into the top corner. Cue wet and wild celebrations.

The game was effectively over nearing half time when an infringement in the box saw Referee Robert Wainwright point to the spot. With regular taker Josh Uzun on the bench, keeper Danny Bracken would’ve fancied it but the honour was given to Clarke who perfectly placed his spot kick into the bottom left corner. 3-0.
Casuals had further chances to make it a first half rout – Max Oldham teasing the defence before just missing the target.

The second half carried on from where the first had finished. On 61 minutes, Danny Cunningham added a fourth to further extend the lead and give Casuals a favourable goal difference. The game was clearly past the point of no return for the visitors.

With that in mind and an important FA Trophy fixture on the Management’s mind, Clarke, Oldham and Coskun Ekim were replaced by Ben Cheklit, Ike-Robertson Feehi and Mu Maan. Casuals were probably guilty of sitting back a little too… Casually and Nathan Daly conceded a penalty in the 71st minute to allow Antonio Simeone a place on the scoresheet, sending Danny Bracken the wrong way.

The last fifteen minutes saw Molesey try to push back into the game but never tested Bracken in what was difficult conditions. Casuals had enough in the tank to hold them at bay and break fast on the counter, if required.

The win puts Casuals two points behind leaders Lewes with both Sittingbourne and Greenwich Borough losing.

James Bracken spoke after the win. "​Molesey came out in the first fifteen minutes and had a go, which you expect from any Molesey side. They’re always competitive. The conditions probably suited them more, thinking perhaps it was a night where they could get stuck in and spoil it. But not taking any credit away from them, they played some nice football in the first quarter of an hour."
 
"Game settled after that and our little bit of extra quality showed, got our noses in front and before you know it, we’d scored three. From then on, we’re in control and never looked like it was going any other way."

Corinthian-Casuals 4 - 2 Ramsgate
Bostik League South
Saturday 4th November 2017
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)

​Corinthian-Casuals came from two goals behind to comfortably win 4-2 over Ramsgate in the Bostik League South.

Despite dominating possession throughout, Casuals found themselves with a mountain to climb after the half hour mark. But a quick fire brace from Jordan Clarke levelled the scores on the stroke of half time before Nathan Daly grabbed his first goal for the club and Jack Penny could only find his own net to make the scoreline comfortable.

Manager James Bracken after the match admitted that whilst it was no excuse, Casuals were without several players, all who potentially would’ve featured. Not least at the back, changes had to be made with Tommy Smith serving his suspension and the duo of Warren Morgan and Dave Hodges unavailable. 36 year old Jamie Byatt paired up with Jack Strange, celebrating his 20th birthday. A minute's silence was held in memory of Security Officer Vince Huggett's wife, Tina who tragically passed away this week.

Ramsgate, sitting in a lowly 19th place in the league had done their homework on Casuals and like the previous three fixtures – Hastings, Margate and Hertford Town, the Amateurs were susceptible to an early goal. A quick break down the right saw Alfie Paxman turn in his effort at the near post for a shock lead.

Despite dominance in play, Casuals were sucker-punched once again. Utilising the same tactic that saw them take the lead, Ramsgate made it 2-0 this time courtesy of Billy Munday, firing into the top corner.

Heads never dropped and Bracken’s side have an unwavering belief in their ability. Jordan Clarke pulled one back on 38 minutes much to the relief of the home support. He added a second on the stroke of half time converting a Reyon Dillon cross. How that last seven minutes must’ve changed the team talk.

Casuals were far more assured in the second half and looked to be only one winner following the equaliser. Though they had to wait a further 25 minutes before taking the lead. Gabriel Odunaike cutting in from the byline, passed it across the six yard box to find Nathan Daly, bagging his first goal for the club – cue explosive celebrations.

The game was put out of reach five minutes later when Jack Penny could only turn Danny Cunningham’s cross into his own net. Casuals looked to extend the lead further and Reyon Dillon fired home only to be denied by the offside flag.

The win is Casuals’ fifth in a row and 11th in 13 games, leaving the Amateurs 3rd in the league. Casuals face Molesey at home on Tuesday night.

“We certainly made hard work of it,” said Bracken after the match.

“But 4-2 in the end which I have to be happy with after going 2-0 down.”

“Conceding early as we have been lately isn’t a good habit. We don’t want to be conceding the first goal in games which we’ve done too often of late. Whilst it gives us an opportunity to show spirit and resilience, which we keep doing, it’s far from ideal.

“Our general play in the first half was very, very poor. The quality of our passing left us way too exposed at the back. We committed too many bodies forward and got punished coming back the other way, on the counter. It’s not good and we’ll look at that, but it’s simply down to us not being good enough with the ball.

“Some might say we underestimated our opponents. Never. We’ll never underestimate anyone. Not from my part, from preparations or the way I approach any match. I said to the players before that Ramsgate hadn’t scored for three games, they’ve not won for five games… don’t be the team that everyone looks at the results with surprise seeing they’d beaten us.

“Jordan’s goals before half time massively changed the team talk. I’d have stripped the paint off the walls and been rattling in the changing room had we gone in two down.

“But when you come back to 2-2, you have to give them a certain amount of praise. When you go two-down, you don’t expect to come in at half time, level. My team talk was going to be reading the riot act to get a reaction. As it happens, they reacted themselves, got back into it and give them credit for it. We just asked them to build on it from there.