Corinthian-Casuals 1 – 2 Molesey
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 26th December 2015
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (photos here)
Additional photos by Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals suffered a Boxing Day home defeat as neighbours Molesey came from behind to snatch the points deep into injury time.

But Casuals’ Boss James Bracken insists it was “No hangover from Christmas Day” and that “the better side lost.”
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Molesey travelled the short distance to King George’s having only won once in the last seven league outings, however a morale boosting win in midweek at Met Police in the Surrey Senior Cup was a welcome sight for manager Steve Webb.

In contrast, Bracken’s Casuals had only lost once in the last five league outings and were looking to replicate their 1-0 win over Molesey on the August Bank Holiday. But as is often seen, form guides go out of the window around the Christmas period.

It was a welcome sight to see both Niall Wright and Stef Joseph back on the bench and although both suffering injuries, it’s clear they’re not far from full fitness. Josh Uzun had to fill in at right-back as Warren Morgan was struck with illness. In form Sekou Kaba was also absent from the squad – a blow considering his recent displays.

Molesey began the livelier of the sides and Danny Bracken was called into early action saving well from Staff Palmer. Ollie Robinson looked to have gone even closer when his header from a deep free kick shaved the post.

Corinth soon grew into the game and Juevan Spencer began to create problems on the wing. Constantly cutting in on the byline, he was unlucky not to find Emmanuel Akokhia at the back post – Luke Elliott just pipping the strikier to the ball. Casuals had a few chances to go ahead in the first period and Moles Keeper Liam Allen looked decidedly shaky when trying to collect crosses. However, the sides went into the break level.

Casuals had the strong wind behind them in the second half and coupled with their pace, began to impose themselves on the game. The deadlock was broken in the 67th minute. Josh Uzun whipped a corner ball into the box and not for the first time, Allen in goal spilled the cross and Danny Dudley was on hand to tap home from five yards.

The lead wasn’t to last a minute. Caught napping at the back, the dangerous Reis Stanislaus was given the time and space to slot past Bracken and level the scores.

Corinth pushed on for a winner once again and had a big shout for a penalty turned down after Spencer was upended in the box on another of his dangerous runs. Akokhia’s cross come shot bobbled inches wide of the post with Spencer closing in and Mendy and Serbony looked to have broken free of the Molesey defence but much to the protestations of the management, was adjudged offside.

For all of Casuals’ forward play, they look exposed at the back and was about to get worse for the home side. Dave Hodges was shown a red card for his foul on ex-Casual James Cottee inside the penalty box. James McShane stepped up to take the spot kick but was brilliantly saved by Bracken, who also gathered up the rebound. It appeared to be a massive let off for the Amateurs.

But there was one final twist. Deep into time added on, Substitute Dre Grobler fired low past Bracken to seal the victory much to the delight of the four travelling Molesey fans. Casuals have had their fair share of injury-time winners but on this day, it was to go against them.

After the match, James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree.

“No hangover from Christmas day. The better side lost. That’s my honest opinion.

“We went into the wind for the first half, kept it tight and went into the break without conceding.

“Second half we played most of the football around their box, though not created enough chances. That’s my biggest criticism of the day. For all of our play, we never had any real clear cut goalscoring opportunities which forced their keeper to make saves.

“We’ve conceded a couple of sloppy goals in my opinion.

“After Dave’s sending off, they’ve got the man advantage and they’re a good side. So it was obvious they felt with the extra man that they could go on and win it.

“We tried to stay positive and win it ourselves. We had a lot of forwards on the pitch at the time. Perhaps we could have shut up shop and take a point, but that’s not really my style or of the players we have. We tried to push the ball forward, nick a winner and the three points. But in the end, we’ve lost a point. That’s the way I look at it… not three points. And we’ll get those back on Saturday.” 

Corinthian-Casuals 1-4 Dulwich Hamlet
London Senior Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 22nd  December 2015
Attendance: 130
Match report: Darren Pasley
​Pics:Stuart Tree (full set here)

“We won’t play a better side than that this season” were the words of James Bracken as he saw his side go out of the London Senior Cup with a 4-1 reversal at home to a determined and strong Dulwich Hamlet outfit.

It was always going to be a tough task coming into the match against a side who top the Ryman Premier Division going into Christmas and both sides showed their commitment to the London FA’s showpiece competition by fielding near full strength line-ups.

In the driving December wind and rain the visitors struck first in the 4th minute. A lofted ball out the back from former K’s defender Matt Drage found Ryan Moss and after bringing the ball down with a deft touch his belting effort was parried by Danny Bracken. The ball however spun towards goal and the striker signed from Margate earlier this season was first to the rebound to put his side ahead.

The goal cemented a confident start from the Champion Hill side. Knocking the ball about on the slick surface and dominating the middle and therefore possession. A neat passing move in the 13th minute saw Bracken deny Scannell with his legs whilst up the other end Kevant Serbony had Casuals first effort with a low shot which was well gathered by Oshane Brown making a rare start in goal for Dulwich.

Joss Uzun curled a free kick over shortly afterwards. Casuals attacking with the wind in their favour. Scannell continued to have plenty of joy down the right hand side and after winning another corner Drage this time was denied by Warren Morgan on the line after his towering header appeared to be heading in.

The home side's nearest sight of goal came in the 28th minute when Juevan Spencer did well to find Matt Reece but the in-form striker saw his left footed snapshot flash just wide of the left hand upright.

Dulwich doubled their lead in the 37th minute and it was Moss again with the finish. This time showing quick footwork to fashion the opportunity which he emphatically slammed home into the roof of the net from the angle. It was a fantastic strike from the signing partly funded by the clubs 12th man scheme.

The nights action was far from over for Moss and 57 seconds after the restart he completed his hat-trick.
A ball out the back from Jordan Brown was misjudged in the wind by the home defence and the Hamlet number 9 was through on goal and calmly side-footed past Bracken.

Casuals responded in the 54th minute when following Ben King’s corner Joss Uzun’s effort was defected in via Jack Dixon. This prompted Casuals best spell of the match and the Dulwich keeper had to be alert to foil Emmanuel Akokhia who was introduced at half time after Terry Murray had surged forward.

Dixon, looking to make amends for his own goal was denied by Bracken with a drive from the edge of the area but the tie was wrapped up in the 69th minute; substitute Ashley Carew sending in a cross from the left and another replacement Albert Jarrett watched the flight of the ball, bringing down superbly before smashing home low into the bottom corner.

Scannell who along with Moss was the outstanding player on the pitch was denied a deserved goal as his header from point blank range was instinctively kept put by Danny Bracken.

Both sides continued to push for further goals and Akokhia’s effort was again well held by Brown before Danny Dudley make a great block in stoppage time to deflect wide Carew’s shot.

Speaking after the match James Bracken praised his opponents.

"We conceded after three minutes, just before half time and right at the start of the second half which are all of the times that you don’t want to concede goals.

“All against a very good team… a very, very good team. We won’t play a better side than that this season. They’re my tip to be promoted from the league above from what I’ve seen today and all credit goes to them.

“They were better than us tonight. No qualms, no objections, no excuses… just the better team won. We can live with that. We’ll brush ourselves down ready for Saturday.

“It was probably a bit of a wake-up call to our players. We’ve had four competitive games against teams from a division above and we’ve been in every one of them. They were fifty-fifty games and we achieved results in most of those.

“Today was not a fifty-fifty game. They’ve dominated possession and subsequently, the game.

“I’ve got no beef with my players; we worked hard and we didn’t fold. We just conceded a few soft goals and weren’t good enough to get ourselves on the ball and impose ourselves on the game.”

Whitstable Town 0-2 Corinthian-Casuals 
Ryman Division One South
Saturday 19th  December 2015
Attendance: 161
Match report: Darren Pasley
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Casuals recorded their third successive league victory with a sold enough display to see off bottom side Whitstable on the windy East Kent coast.

Emmanuel Akokhia returned to the starting line up as James Bracken made one change to the side that emphatically thumped Walton & Hersham in midweek.

The volunteers at Belmont Road had worked wonders to get the game on but it made for a heavy and difficult surface which impacted the afternoons play.

The hosts who ended a run last weekend of 12 straight defeats after defeating Peacehaven started the better of the sides and Sam Conlon headed over early on after good work from Harry Stannard on the left hand side.

Casuals struggling to adapt to the surface mustered their first shot on 18 minutes as Emmanuel Akokhia fired at keeper Dan Eason from the edge of the box. Shortly afterwards Sekou Kaba had an effort that flew over the bar as the visitors started creeping into the contest.

The 24th minute saw the hosts spurn a golden chance. Stannard again the instigator, this time sending over the perfect cross for Dean Grant who free 6 yards from goal completely fluffed his header. It almost proved costly as Juevan Spencer at the other end side stepped in between two markers and shot at Eason who did well to parry. Josh Uzun on the follow up seeing his effort blocked.

Corinthian Casuals took the lead in the 41st minute from the spot.Spencer outpacing Cameron Hefferman and this time from the byline sent the ball back to Kaba who was bundled over inside the area. The trusty Josh Uzun duly dispatched for the games opener.

It was so nearly 2 in as many minutes. Ben King from a free kick trying his luck from fully 40 yards. The pint sized Eason in goal defying gravity to pluck the effort out of the top corner.

After dominating the 2nd half of the first period Casuals were back defending as the Oystermen once again started the half on the front foot. That being said Josh Uzun had a great chance to grab a brace as he met Dave Hodges cross. His header on this occasion lacked power and direction.

With an hour played Charlie Smith hit a snapshot from 25 yards onto the upright , possibly via Danny Brackens fingertips. Smith again headed into Brackens arms following a long throw and Grant was not for the first time off target with yet another header despite rising well to a cross from the right.

Just as it seemed the hosts were building up a head of steam Casuals struck the all decisive second to seal the points in the 71st minute. Ben King out on the wide, curled in left footed and Danny Dudley at the back post side footed on the volley back across the goal into the bottom corner.

Grant continued his miserable afternoon hooking over after a free kick had dropped kindly and then  blasting wide after being played clean through. His strike partner Smith faired little better although it took a great Bracken save to keep out his close range effort on 85 minutes.

Smith again deep into stoppage time summed his sides afternoon up by skying anther great chance into the houses behind the goal as Casuals maintained their record of being unbeaten away from home in Saturday League matches this season.

After the game assistant manager Joe Davies fresh from getting down on one knee and proposing in New Year spoke to Darren Pasley

“It was a good result considering the conditions of the pitch which was a bit of a leveller. When you go to places like these the result is far more important than the performance. Everybody done their jobs today and Dave Hodges and Ben King  stood out for me in a solid team performance,”

Speaking about Tuesdays London Senior Cup tie at home to Dulwich Hamlet Joe commented “It will be a good test and Dulwich may well give a chance to a few of their highly rated youngsters who will play the Dulwich way which is to play good football.”

“It was important to get the two wins this week to keep us in that play off pack but the real hard work starts post Christmas with games against Molesey, Carshalton and then Guernsey who are flying right now,”

“We are playing with a lot of confidence and maximum points is the target even though we know it wont be easy.”

Joe who was also part of the previous coaching regime also praised manager James Bracken.

“James had brought in a lot of new players , many of them though have  played for him for a number of years and they are used to the way he works. These things sometimes take time to gel but they have blended in well with our current players . Those players from last season James has installed a new confidence as well. Juevan Spencer for example who at times is unplayable this season and our current top scorer.

Our first aim is to defend and then leave the footballing side to the players up the pitch and its worked well for us so far this season, There is a good balance to the side and we are looking forward to the second half of the season.”

Corinthian-Casuals 5 – 1 Walton and Hersham
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 15th December 2015
Match Report: Stuart Tree (photos to follow)
 
Matt Reece notched a brace as Corinthian-Casuals racked up their biggest win of the season against Walton and Hersham in the Ryman League Division One South fixture at King George’s Arena.

Adding to Reece’s tally were strikes from defender Terry Murray, top scorer Juevan Spencer and Josh Uzun, with only Aaron Watson replying for the Swans in a 5-1 win to Corinth.
 
And with the win came a statement from Boss James Bracken, “We’re on a mission now.”
 
Casuals came into the game on the back of an historic FA Trophy run, finally succumbing to Hungerford Town on Saturday. The performance and spirit shown in the encounter clearly left the Amateurs full of confidence. Their opponents, struggling Walton and Hersham who have recently made a managerial change with Mark Hams coming in to steer the ship -  the Swans having not won in five league matches coming into the evening.
 
Despite two losses on the spin for Casuals, the much-changed side in the Alan Turvey Trophy and the narrow FA Trophy loss to higher league opposition had not left Manager James Bracken with any concerns. In fact, prior to these results, Casuals had only lost once in nine matches.
 
A different looking strike force took to the field with Emmanuel Akokhia and Cherno Mendy rested. Matt Reece came into the line-up and Josh Uzun was pushed further up field. Ben King was recalled to take up a holding midfield role.
 
Conditions weren’t easy and on a pitch which had coped well with the large quantity of rain, the standard of football was surprisingly high. From the outset, it was clear there was always going to be goals in this encounter. Play flowed from end-to-end with ease and players from both sides found large areas of space with aplomb.
 
 It didn’t take long for the first goal to come. On 11 minutes, Terry Murray converted a corner which appeared to take forever to cross the line, but did so, much to the jubilation of the home crowd.
 
The Swans had two good chances to level, first when a vicious cross was fired past Danny Bracken and found Ryan Marklew unguarded at the back post, but failed to convert. Minutes later Gianfranco Mici found enough time and space in the box to place a shot either side of Bracken but ended up gifting it straight into the arms of the keeper.
 
In truly end-to-end fashion, chances were created at by Casuals with numerous efforts falling to Matt Reece, Kevant Serbony, Ben King, Josh Uzun and Danny Dudley - all who couldn’t quite find the perfect final touch. Was this to be a case of missed opportunities?
 
Not quite; Warren Morgan’s whipped in cross from the by-line found 6’2” Matt Reece free in the box and the striker had no hesitation in placing his header past Swan’s stopper Borja Loeches Teixeira.
Before you could blink, it was three-nil. Matt Reece grabbing a delightfully easy goal after a mix up left the Walton Keeper on the floor, stranded and Reece strolling past to tap home into an empty net.
 
Any thoughts of the game being done and dusted were soon quashed; a deflected shot from Aaron Watson steered the ball past Bracken’s near post and the deficit was reduced to two, though with hardly a murmur around the ground, many wondered if it had counted.
 
Walton looked to have scored again and had the ball in the back of the net. However, the Assistant Referee’s flag raised was sight well received by the home crowd.
 
Despite a few lapses in concentration, discussions amongst supporters at half time concluded that Casuals had too much firepower for Walton to contain. This was confirmed on 56 minutes as Juevan Spencer, latching onto a pinpoint Dave Hodges ball, had no hesitation in dispatching his 13th goal of the season.
 
More and more chances fell to Casuals and Uzun continued to look a threat. He finally got his reward for perseverance into stoppage time. Finding vast amounts of space on the right flank, Uzun took aim from 20 yards out to fire past Teixeira into the bottom corner - a class finish.
 
The night was ended with a chorus of ‘Happy Birthday to You’ from the supporters to substitute Brandon Johnson and though the evening air was filled with rain, no spirits were dampened from a Corinth point of view.
 
The win puts Casuals up to tenth in the table just four points from the playoffs with two games in hand over most sides. After the match, Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree.
 
“Mani (Akokhia) was honest with me and said he hadn’t recovered from Saturday as well as he’d have hoped. It’s the first time he’s said that all season and if someone tells you they’re feeling a bit jaded, it helps me do my job. You don’t end up fielding a player and then wonder why he isn’t at his best.
 
“Matt Reece has come into the team today and scored two, led the line well and is a player we’ve been trying to get fully fit since the start of the season. Now he’s starting to look like the player that I know he is.
 
“We’ve come into the game full of confidence; the opposition set up a certain way which we counter-acted what they were trying to do and arguably played the conditions better than they have.
 
“We’re on a mission now. We’ve had a great cup run but the league is now our priority. All of our eyes are on this.
 
“I’ve made it clear to the lads this week that we need to pick up two wins and send us into Christmas on the back of a decent bit of form. We’ll attack these games. We’re confident.
 
“We held our own on Saturday and were better than two decent Ryman Premier sides. So when you play against Walton and Hersham… and no disrespect to them, knowing you can reach the level that we have, you’re going to be in with a very good chance of winning.”

Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 Hungerford Town
Match Sponsored by: Chessington Cars and Couriers
FA Trophy 1st Round Proper
Saturday 12th December 2015
Attendance: 162
Match report: Darren Pasley
​Pics:Stuart Tree (full set here)

Despite their heroic efforts, Corinthian-Casuals’ historic FA Trophy run ended after a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Southern League Premier side Hungerford Town.
 
After resting several players for the midweek league cup tie at Tooting & Mitcham, a near full strength Casuals took to the field against their step 3 opponents who haven’t lost in all competitions since October.
 
The early stages saw a nervy start from Casuals. Hungerford showing why they are unbeaten in 12  and winning 8 in the process; Alan O’Brien on the left wing showing from the off that his pace could be a threat.
 
The game’s first real action came in the 10th minute when O’Brien’s set piece delivery was finished at the second attempt by Stefan Brown. The assistant’s flag came to Casuals rescue and in the process of ‘scoring’ Brown was injured and replaced by Mark Draycott.
 
Sensing the direct approach of their opponents, Casuals steadied and in the 13th minute produced an attack of their own. Dave Hodges’ first time cross was glanced just wide by Josh Uzun.
 
The wind was now in full flow but for the time being playing into Casuals hands - Uzun this time firing in a corner which was tipped off his own line by keeper Paul Strudley. Another corner saw Sekou Kaba head over from 6 yards, however the whistle had sounded for an infringement.
 
Nat Jarvis was lucky to escape with just a talking to from the referee after a late challenge on Bracken but the striker inflicted more painful damage in the 43rd minute with the game’s opening goal. James Rusby who was utilising his long throws launched another missile and with the ball holding up in the wind and the Casuals back line unable to clear, the Hungerford striker hooked the ball home into the unguarded net.
 
Rather than feel sorry for themselves with the half time whistle looming, James Bracken’s men responded in the perfect fashion. Almost immediately, Josh Uzun was awarded a free kick central 40 yards from goal and his cute delivery was perfect for Sekou Kaba to rise and head home into the top corner to see the sides level going into the break.
 
Although weary the wind would cause some problems second half the home side set their stall accordingly and continued to try and play on the deck as opposed to the more direct approach from their opponents.
 
The Crusaders had a glorious chance in the opening moments as O’Brien’s cross from the left found an unmarked Scott Rees but his header was directed the other side of Brackens right hand post.
 
The same player was even closer 5 minutes later smashing the inside of the post with a wind assisted speculative effort from 30 yards - Terry Murray doing well to scramble the rebound clear.
 
Although Casuals were producing some tidy play at times and getting into good positions, the more clear cut opportunities were falling to the Berkshire side. Substitute Mark Draycott was unable to control the ball at the back post when free after Jarvis had done well to fire the ball across the box.
 
On their own forays going forward it was Dave Hodges on two occasions who overlapped Juevan Spencer and was able to deliver into the box. On the first occasion keeper Paul Strudley did well to cut out and then a far post effort just evaded the oncoming Emmanuel Akokhia.
 
Kevant Serbony once again was the driving force in midfield both strong and creative and after beating 2 men he found Uzun whose sliding effort was saved low down by the visiting custodian.
 
The game was finally poised but it was sensed by all that whoever got that decisive 2nd would progress to the next round. Indeed that proved to be the case and the visitors stuck in the 71st minute. Driving forward, Jarvis cleverly slipped the ball inside to Draycott who was superbly foiled by Bracken. The ball spun clear but the substitute striker managed to smash home the rebound from a tight angle with both Warren Morgan and Danny Dudley covering on the line.
 
Matt Reece was thrown into the action and Casuals spent the majority of the last 15 minutes camped in the Hungerford half. Perhaps the best chance fell in the 81st minute when following a goalmouth scramble after Uzun’s corner the ball fell to Danny Dudley and his blast on goal was somehow held onto by Strudley.
 
Naturally with so many men being committed forward, gaps appeared at the other end and Jarvis had the chance to seal the match when clean through. However, Bracken guessed correctly to keep Casuals in the tie.
 
A flurry of injury time corners and were defended by the visitors and they held on to secure a 2nd round tie.
 
Gracious in victory afterwards we wish them all the best for the next round and the remainder of the season.
 
After the match, Assistant Manager Dan Pringle commented on the performance.
 
“We couldn’t be more proud of what we’ve done in this competition as a whole.
 
“It was always going to be difficult today. Hungerford came with a game plan which they stuck to. Second half, we’ve had the wind against us and it was tough going at points.
 
“But we were brilliant. Everyone gave it 100% and they couldn’t have done anything more. We could’ve easily come away with at least a draw. It was one of those games where the ball fell for them.
 
“It was a very even game. We equalised immediately after they scored which is a great response from us. It was a bit of a sucker punch in the second half; against the wind was tough with us trying to get up field but the ball constantly coming back.
 
“You could see how delighted Hungerford players were after the final whistle and it clearly meant a lot to them and that they’d definitely been in a tough game today. They didn’t underestimate us; they came to watch us twice in the lead up to this game and knew exactly what to expect.
 
“This is probably the first time in the Trophy where we’ve had a high level of respect for us from the opposition. I’d say Leiston and Grays Athletic didn’t know too much about us and expected to turn up and roll over us. Perhaps that was to our advantage as we played them on the counter attack as underdogs.
 
“Today, I think we had more of a chance compared to the previous two rounds where no-one thought we’d progress any further. There was a feeling we’d have half a chance with this one, but they made it really difficult for us and fair play to them for that.
 
“We’ve still got big ambitions for the league. There are plenty of games left to achieve those. From this cup run, you’ve seen that when it comes to big games, every single one of the players can step up to the plate.
 
“There’s no-one that we fear in the league. On our day, we can beat anyone. We’ve beaten two top quality teams from the league above, who are both going to be in and around the playoffs themselves. If we can emulate this Trophy run, then we’ll go on and do big things in the league.
 
“What’s more, we play entertaining football. That shows the players are enjoying it and that’s when you get the most out of them. The players we’ve got in the squad are young, hungry and it’s the only way they know how to play. They’re not old or past it… they can do anything.
 
“The support we’ve had from everyone, be it on social media or those here today has been fantastic. We have such great support from those who turn up week in, week out and they’ll be here again on Tuesday.
 
“So, just from myself, James and the rest of the management and the players, we appreciate every single one of them and every single ounce of support they show to the club.”
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Match Sponsors Chessington Cars & Couriers with their chosen Man of the Match: Cherno Mendy

Tooting & Mitcham United 2-1 Corinthian-Casuals 
Robert Dyas League Cup 3rd Round
Tuesday 8th  December 2015
Attendance: 88
Match report: Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)

​Corinthian Casuals bowed out of the league cup as a much changed side went down 2-1 at Imperial Fields at the hands of Tooting & Mitcham United.
 
With the biggest match in the clubs history in recent years looming as well as a busy and vitally important festive period it came as no surprise that James Bracken made 6 changes to his line-up.
 
Jake Baxter headed over in the second minute as the hosts who have struggled on their own turf so far this season looked for an early breakthrough.
 
In the 14th minute Robinson was denied at the near post by a superb Charlie Girdler intervention as Casuals defended deep.
 
In the 21st minute Josh Uzun had the visitors sight of goal but his first time volley from Matt Reece's pass was off target.
At the other end Lalor-Dell curled just over following O’Neil’s persistence to win the ball back,
 
The best change of the half came in the 21st minute when Sekou Kaba on for the injured Diego Maradona linked well with Brandon Johnson before slipping inside to Uzun who wildly side footed over the bar,
 
The Terrors continued to ask questions of the Casuals defence and Danny Dudley playing in an unorthodox right back position denied Makofo with a heroic block after the winger had spun and got a shot away 8 yards out.
 
Makofo was now in the thick of the action and this time after spinning again he was to draw a fine save from Danny Bracken who was full length to his left to keep out the effort.
 
After a Casuals attack broke down 6 minutes before the break the home side broke at pace and wonderful flowing move ended with Baxter through but firing just wide. To Brackens credit he was out quickly to close down the opportunity.
In first half stoppage time Bracken again kept the game goalless with an instinct block to deny the hapless Makofo from point blank range again.
 
It took Tooting just five minutes to open the scoring after the interval. After losing possession the ball was quickly worked out to Lalor-Dell who saw his shot saved by Bracken but with the ball looping in the air Makofo this time couldn’t miss heading home despite Girdlers best efforts into the empty net.
 
It was almost doubled as Baxter sprung the offside trap moments later but Bracken came out victorious in the one on one situation parrying the ball away.
The same player had another half chance on 55 minutes but after Lalor-Dell has at pace played the ball into his path he couldn’t control the ball sufficiently enough and the attempted volley was well over.
 
It proved costly as Casuals levelled barely 60 seconds later. A high ball was missed by Simeone and Sekou Kaba showing great composure in the area beat his man and fired across the keeper into the goal,
 
 
Within 2 minutes however the home side had regained the lead. Patterson- Bohner allowed too much time down the right and his low cross was met by Makofo for his second.
 
The final half hour saw the visitors throw caution to the win and Reece was the first to test Pierson with a first time volley at the keeper.
 
The best chance for a leveller came in the 75th minute. Fine inter-play between Kaba and Kevant Serbony saw the latter through on goal but Pierson was able to take the sting out of the shot and pounce on the rebound.
 
With Casuals seeking the equaliser gaps appeared all over the pitch and Lalor-Dell had two opportunities to win the game firstly hitting well over after a mazy run past 3 defenders. With 2 minutes remaining he shot straight at Bracken when well placed.
 
The 4 minutes of stoppage time were seen out by Tooting and they booked a quarter final tie away at Sittingbourne.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Three Bridges 0 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 5th December 2015
Attendance: 89
Match report and pics: Stuart Tree (photos here)

Corinthian-Casuals left it late for the second time in a week to seal victory, scoring the winner deep into stoppage time.

Less than three days earlier, Juevan Spencer’s late header gave Corinth a dramatic win over Grays Athletic in the FA Trophy, but this time it was let to Michael Salako to bag the winner at Three Bridges, leaving it until the 95th minute to make his mark.

The win keeps Casuals within four points of the playoff spots and condemned Bridges to a fifth straight defeat.
Manager James Bracken was able to recall Warren Morgan after missing the FA Trophy replay through suspension and many were delighted to see Brandon Johnson back in the starting eleven after missing a number of weeks with a broken toe. Sekou Kaba was still missing through injury and with Dave Hodges unavailable, Ben King stepped in at left back.

Even before kickoff, many knew the game wouldn’t be a classic thanks to the combination of blustery conditions and a boggy pitch, which was particularly heavy in a couple of patches despite no real prolonged rain within the past week. The game was thrown into doubt as to whether it should be played but thankfully, the match officials deemed it suitable to fulfil the fixture.

Neither side showed any real quality and for much of the game, it looked as though the afternoon would remain goalless. In Casuals’ first chance, Emmanuel Akokhia broke free from his marker and forced a fine save from Kieron Thorp in goal. The rebound fell to Juevan Spencer who crossed it to Cherno Mendy with the winger firing wide.
Akokhia looked lively and troubled the Bridges defence once again with neat skills on the byline. Despite Mendy literally screaming out for the pass, Akokhia attempted to beat Thorp at the near post but the keeper was wise to the move.

Mendy almost became provider to another Juevan Spencer goal in an almost carbon copy of Spencer’s late winner against Grays. Mendy, in place of Hodges, whipped a fantastic cross to the far post but Casuals’ top scorer couldn’t add to his tally of 12 this season.

The closest chance of the half fell to Josh Uzun. Always dangerous  from free kicks, Uzun curled his shot over the wall and onto the post.

At the other end, Ben Godfrey shanked a shot wide and Sam MacVicar went close with a header.

Chances were at a real premium in the second half as the wind really took hold – the floodlights swaying side to side gave an indication as to how strong the gusts had become. Bridges came close when Casselman fizzed a shot just wide of Danny Bracken’s far post.

Casuals had a big shout for a penalty when Ben King was scythed down from just inside the box. With the ball returning to him from a corner, he beat his defender to the follow up but was upended in what looked to have been a clear foul. However, despite protests, play was waved on.

With four minutes of time remaining, Matt Whitehead was dismissed for a second bookable offence and the home side were down to ten men.

Casuals threw on Michael Salako and Charlie Girdler in an attempt to get three points. Juevan Spencer could’ve wrapped the game up into time added on for stoppages but scuffed his shot wide.

However, Salako made no mistake moments later when finding himself in the box, fired into the top corner much to the dizzy jubilation of the very cold but very happy Casuals’ supporters behind the goal. With the goal coming five minutes into six added on, there was no time for the home side to reply and Casuals once again had grasped the win in the dying moments.

After the match, James Bracken commented on the performance.

“I still agree with myself… stoppage time is the best time to win. It was a very similar victory to midweek against Grays.

“In terms of the pitch and the conditions, it was a lot harder today. It was always going to be a scrappy affair. Even if the pitch was in good condition, with the wind it wasn’t going to be pretty.

“We’ve kept three clean sheets on the bounce and we’re always going to score goals. We continue to do that and we won’t be far away at the end of the season.

“I made it very clear how massive three points was today. Drawing, losing wasn’t an option. We need to win. We’ve gone from the point where we’d played three or four games more than other sides in the league to dropping a few games behind.

“It’s a cliché saying you’d rather have points on the board than games in hand. It’s true… but you don’t mind that if you’re six points behind with four games in hand. You can attack those first two matches and then push on. What you don’t want is to be twelve points behind with four games in hand as that’s too much to ask.

“So it’s important that when we have these league games in between our cup fixtures, we pick up the three points to keep ourselves in it.

“I’m very clear that I want to win every single game. That’s my mentality and I’ve always been like that. Last year, I played in seven competitions, this year, I’ve only played in six.

“We’re only out of one cup so far this season – the FA Cup, and that’s a tough one to win anyway.

“Although we only have one squad of players, they all want to play. They’re young, they’re hungry and their performance levels aren’t dropping off. If you ask them if they need to be rested, they’ll all say ‘no – I want to play’. There’s certainly no fatigue from them. They’re ready to go again and again.”

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 Grays Athletic
FA Trophy 3rd Round Qualifying Replay
Wednesday 2nd December 2015
King George's Arena
Match report: Darren Pasley.
Images: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)
Andy Nunn (full set here)

Corinthian-Casuals' amazing FA Trophy journey continues as in the most dramatic fashion they overcame Ryman Premier Grays Athletic.

It took a Juevan Spencer header 4 minutes into stoppage time to seal a place in the first round proper for the first time in their history and it was a victory so richly deserved.
 
With Warren Morgan suspended and Sekou Kaba injured, Josh Uzun and Stef Joseph came into the side which had fought out a goalless draw the previous Sunday.
 
The visitors nearly made the perfect start as inside the first 10 seconds Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson got down the right and sent in a low cross which Danny Dudley nearly tapped into his own net. Fortunately for the defender he recovered to hook clear and the danger was averted.
 
In the 7th minute Kevant Serbony, so powerful in the middle of the park, allowed Spencer to roam down the right but his low cross was gathered low down by keeper Lamar Johnson who just like Sunday showed assured handling.
 
The games first half chance fell to Grays' player-manager Mark Bentley but the former Wealdstone and Aldershot Town hero screwed his effort horribly wide with 16 minutes gone.
 
Casuals were finding space in the middle and a particular well worked one-two between Cherno Mendy and Emmanuel Akokhia resulted in the former being brought down on the edge of the box. Josh Uzun on this occasion hitting the wall with the subsequent kick.
 
Harry Agmobar was denied by an amazing diving tackle from Terry Murray which ensured his effort from the edge of the box diverted just wide and the young defender again was on hand shortly afterwards to block Jay Leaders header from a corner.
 
The home side continued to look threatening on the counter with their pace and Cherno Mendy spurned the halfs best chance on 35.. Spencer again working his magic but after finding his team-mate the ball spooned horribly over although it was suggested the ball had bobbled up.
 
Both sides to their credit pushed for the opener as the half drew to a close. Danny Dudley this time the saviour, back to cover and knock behind Roman Michael-Percil’s drive for goal with Danny Bracken committed. From the resulting corning Bracken gathered and a quick release saw Akokhia beat Luke Ifill on the right and into the box his low centre just wrong footed the oncoming Joseph.
 
With a minute remaining of the half Ben Kings corner just evaded everyone including the flying Murray who was inches from converting at the back post.
 
Grays started the the second half well and looked a tad sharper. Perhaps accepting they would have to match their opponents desire to win what was becoming an increasingly difficult tie.
A well worked move saw the ball worked out to Agombar but his low side footed effort was easily gathered by Bracken.
 
Casuals ever reliable skipper had a rare lapse in concentration in the 61st minute when punching weakly from a corner but with the ball sent back goal-wards it hit Uzun before being hooked to safety.
 
Casuals were dropping deeper to try and stem what was becoming the Ryman Premier sides best period over the 2 games. Despite the pressure only a 65th minute free kick from James Stevens which bobbled and smacked the base of the post was the only real scare.
 
After a tricky 20 minutes Casuals once again got back on the front foot and another Ben King corner nearly led to the opener; this time Dudley hooking at Johnson when a yard either side would have been a different story.
 
With 15 minutes remaining, Mendy broke through the middle and found substitute Matt Reece and with the ball played into the path of Spencer, only a timely intervention prevented the games clearest opportunity yet,
 
Substitute Montel Agyemang found the highly rated Dumebi Dumaka but Bracken was down well again as the game moved into injury time.
 
With both sets of players and management contemplating the forthcoming extra period, Dave Hodges from left full back took matters into his own hands. On a run from the half way line, he set down the left and on beating Ifill, crossed to the back post where Spencer arrived bang on cue to head into the top corner.

The celebrations on the pitch and three sides of the ground showed what just it meant to the club and it was too little for the visitors, who despite a real sense of urgency for the remaining three additional minutes failed to make a late breakthrough.
 
An elated James Bracken spoke after the match to Stuart Tree.

“I think over the course of the two games, we deserved the win. We’ve had the more clear-cut chances, although we haven’t taken them.

“But when you score in the 94th minute, it doesn’t matter how many you miss, if you score that late on, that’s the best way to win the game.

“We’d rather not leave it that late, but when we have scored earlier in games, it’s not necessarily been a good thing for us. I think it’s important that you stay in the tie as long as possible when you play a team from the division above. You look to nick it when your opportunity comes.

“You get yourself up for cup games. I’m not naïve enough to think we can get ourselves up to this level every single week. Yes – we aim for it and I’ll ask the lads ‘can we get near it every week?’ Because if we can get near what we done tonight, Sunday and in the last round against Leiston, we’d be top of the Ryman League South, we wouldn’t have lost a game and we’d be hot favourites.

“We’ve got a young side who sometimes make mistakes but in these cup games, we haven’t made those errors and we’ve played well.

“We’ll make sure we do our homework on Hungerford and I’ll come up with a plan. I’ll pick a team that I deem can win a game.

“The support tonight from behind the goal was fantastic. I mentioned them in the changing room after the game. We never had a lull in our performance, in terms of our energy and neither did they. They sung for the whole 90 minutes.

“When I took over here in the summer, I said to the chairman, ‘I want to turn those fifteen who get behind the goal into fifty’. I felt that if we got a team out there that could do them justice, then it would grow.

“They didn’t turn up as a neutral supporter today… they’re people who have stood there and sung their hearts out. They’re proper fans.

“I got in amongst the supporters after the final whistle; one to show my appreciation for them but more so to show their appreciation to the players… to say that I’d have paid £8 tonight and I’d have stood behind the goal and been proud of the performance that we put in.”