Corinthian-Casuals 0-0 Walton Casuals
Ryman Dicision One South
Monday 26th December 2016
Match report: Cameron Smith.  Photo: Paul Downs

The annual Boxing Day fixture was disappointedly uneventful with Corinthian-Casuals earning only a point in a goal-less draw with an organised Walton Casuals side  during a clash where neither side were able to provide the crucial, knockout blow. 
 
Following the anguish against AFC Wimbledon, Casuals had been eliminated from all extra-curricular cups available. Despite the lack of potential silverware, James Bracken would be pleased that Corinth could focus entirely on the all-important crusade in the league.  Previously, a terrific 2-0 victory versus Greenwich Borough had advanced Corinth into third place. It was the 26th December: Boxing Day, and Walton Casuals were looking to ruin Corinth's recent run of form. Collecting points from the high-flying Tooting, Hythe Town, Hastings and Greenwich, manager Anthony Gale has pioneered his side to a respectable seventh place- loitering just outside the play-offs. 
 
Unchanged from the last league clash, Casuals trusted in their reliable defence featuring the attacking Juevan Spencer at right-back, Dudley and Murray at centre-back and last year's Supporters player of the season Dave Hodges at left back. Bettache and the 'Two Joshes' are the glue of the starting XI in midfield whilst Clarke, Byatt and top-scorer Okojie up-front. 
 
Walton's royal blue shirts queued alongside the chocolate and pink shirts of Casuals with referee Craig Green leading the teams out onto the pitch.
 
The first 45 minutes left spectators grateful that it had ended. Casuals' lack of creativity saw the visitors grab most of the possession and opportunities. Well-worked passages of play resulted in a few efforts on goal- Jake Nicholson firing the ball over despite time and space. Perhaps the chance of the half, a darting run of Walton no.10 Jack Sammoutis was concluded by the half-hearted challenge from Juevan Spencer, where the Casuals full-back put his arm out in attempt to stop the blue shirt. Falling to the floor in slight theatricality, Walton were denied a penalty by the referee- it was adjudged a free-kick on the edge. Jordan Cheadle curled the ball towards goal but the set-piece flew straight into the unflinching Gallagher, who cleared. 
 
Corinth did produce chances to break the deadlock via the involved and committed Gallagher. The midfielder hammered the ball into the arms of Walton no.1 Denzel Gerrard before he received a yellow card for persistent fouling. Byatt's forceful shot after an Okojie lay-off was the only other notable opportunity in a dreary first half. 
 
Dominating again, Walton's distribution of the ball saw Corinth's goalscoring chances reduced. Sammoutis' terrific run was passed onto Odunaike; the winger's dipping shot was cradled by Bracken. Bracken was called into action once more as Cheadle's perfect free-kick was scheduled to meet the top left corner. An outstanding save kept the score 0-0 thanks to Bracken's heroics. 
 
The introduction of Warren Morgan, Ben Cheklit and Mu Maan certainly made a difference but it didn't bring the vital edge. An aversion of concentration in the final moments of the game nearly cost Casuals a point but Spencer's terrific clearance off the line prevented disappointment. 
 
Now fourth in the league, a much-anticipated trip to Guernsey was on the horizon before Casuals faced promotion-rivals Tooting in the new year. We wish Walton Casuals the best of luck for the rest of the season and we are looking forward to seeing them again in April!

Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 AFC Wimbledon
London Senior Cup
Tuesday 20th December 2016
Match report: Cameron Smith - Photos; Andy Nunn (Full set HERE)

A late surge of opportunities (including an agonisingly audacious penalty miss) saw
Corinthian Casuals exit the London FA Senior Cup in favour of the clinical AFC
Wimbledon as a blend of youth and experience advanced the League One side into
the next round via a 2-1 victory.

Spirits were higher than ever before at King George’s on Saturday as a superb
performance ensured a 2-0 win over promotion-rivals Greenwich Borough. Grabbing third
place in style, the confident yet assertive James Bracken said: “At the minute, with the way
we're playing, we can get top spot.” Before another tough league fixture against Walton
Casuals on Boxing Day, Corinth locked horns with AFC Wimbledon on a wintry Tuesday
evening for the London Senior Cup.

AFC Wimbledon, who were promoted into League One thanks to a heroic display in the
play-off final at Wembley last season, visited King George’s in numbers, hoping to
emphasise the four-division-difference between the two clubs. Despite withdrawing from
the competition last season, the Dons were clearly in it to win it; two first-team players
were named on the team-sheet. Amongst experimental youngsters, defender Darius
Charles and midfield ace Andy Barcham gaining game time for the first time after injuries
and absences.

Casuals’ starting XI saw an attack of Oldham, Cheklit and Okojie compliment the midfield
of Bettache, Gallagher and Serbony. Warren Morgan was restored to the side after Juevan
Spencer shifted into right-back for Saturday’s vital game.

The classic chocolate and pink of Corinth clashed with the striking green stripes of
Wimbledon’s away kit; the referee had kick-started the South-London rivalry. As predicted,
AFC were dominant in possession until their senior player took responsibility and netted in
the 11th minute. Fed the ball by no.9 Olusanya, Andy Barcham commandingly strode into
the box and chipped the ball towards the back post only for it to deflect off Morgan and find
its way into the net. Opposing the venomous Wimbledon attack well, Casuals’ defence
kept green shirts out of the box with former-Casuals youngster Neset Bellikili’s drive from
twenty-five yards narrowly missing.

In the 37th minute, Casuals’ produced real creativity. Referee Sam Perkins assuringly
waved away protests for a penalty following Shaun Okojie’s tumble just inside the area
before the hosts found justice seconds later. Rising to his feet, Okojie maintained his
position in-front of the AFC back-four so Ben Cheklit could release a terrific lobbed pass
for the striker. Okojie stabbed the ball past oncoming trialist Michael Sibley (who did make
slight contact with the striker before giving in) and composed himself before rifling a
delicious effort into the roof of the net whilst unbalanced. A brilliant finish, Casuals had
equalised thanks to Okojie’s nineteenth of the campaign.

However, it only took a matter of minutes for the visitors to snatch their second and retain
the driving seat. Bellikili jinxed past Cheklit on the left and delivered a perfect cross for the
target man Olusanya, who expertly guided a diving header off the post and into the net.
Concluding the first-half with the score 2-1 to Wimbledon, the sides re-grouped and braced
themselves for a fascinating second 45.

Resuming the match, the opening fifteen minutes were bland as the Corinth and the Dons
cancelled each-other out. Grasping any slither of a chance, the Casuals contingent
supplied their team with encouragement as a Ben Cheklit corner fell perfectly for Jack
Strange to slot the ball onto the bar. Extracting both the influential Barcham and defining
Charles, the Wombles looked to hold on for the last twenty minutes. Max Oldham’s wellworked
effort from outside the area was swallowed by the keeper whilst Morgan’s audacious shot
whistled over the terrace. The introduction of Mu Maan, who has re-joined
Casuals after a spell at Met Police, brought another layer of flair to the hosts’ game.
Only eleven minutes to go, Casuals had the best chance of the entire match. Edging
closer to the goal, Cheklit’s direct run was discontinued by Paul Kalambayi’s hand as the
referee pointed to the spot. Twelve yards out, Maz Bettache took a deep breath before
shocking everyone in the ground. Confidently chipping the ball down the middle and
fooling the keeper, Bettache’s penalty contained too much power as the ball skimmed the
top of the crossbar and flew over the bar. The ‘Panenka’ Chip is genius when executed
correctly but unforgiving when incorrect. Bettache’s resilient demeanour resulted in the
midfielder briefly putting his head in his hands before continuing his strong midfield
presence once more as his name echoed throughout King George’s.

A late flurry of set-pieces, James Bracken instructed his brother, goalkeeper Danny
Bracken, to cause havoc and uncertainty amongst the Dons’ defence in the dying minutes
by rushing forward in attempt to connect with a corner. Corinth’s no.1 was unable to make
a difference as the referee signalled for full-time.

We wish AFC Wimbledon the best of luck in the next round, where they travel to
Redbridge.

Casuals have a vital league game against Walton Casuals on Boxing Day
before flying to Guernsey on December 30th. Can James Bracken’s pink and brown army
recover from the disappointing loss to conquer the league?

Corinthian-Casuals 2-0 Greenwich Borough
Ryman Division One South
Saturday 17th December 2016
Match Report Cameron Smith. Photos Stuart Tree (Full set here)

Corinthian Casuals leapt to third place in Ryman Division One South following an
incredible performance versus fellow promotion-hunters Greenwich Borough in
which goals from Shaun Okojie and Danny Dudley secured three crucial points- the
perfect Christmas present!

Crashing out of the Alan Turvey Trophy in midweek, James Bracken’s experimentally
youthful side were defeated by superior Merstham despite crawling back into the game on
two occasions. Jordan Clarke’s equaliser and Callum McAllister’s pile-driver were not
enough as three goals in quick succession from the dangerous away side saw Casuals
lose 5-2, leave the competition and fail to advance into the next round.

Fifth in the league, Corinthians had the chance to better their current position in the league
with a victory against Greenwich Borough, who were in third place. Three points from
Greenwich and a Carshalton loss would deliver Casuals the ideal gift- third place. Visitors
to King George’s on a mild Saturday afternoon were Greenwich Borough, who had
recently succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Whyteleafe, endangering their position in the play-offs.
Casuals fielded a full-strength starting XI with only three players keeping their place. The
two beloved Joshes (Gallagher and Uzun) started in midfield alongside Mahrez Bettache
whilst Okojie, Byatt and Clarke were in the attack. Trusty Danny Bracken returned to guard
Casuals’ net after a rare absence with Spencer, Dudley, Murray and Hodges the defensive
combination.

Combatting the chocolate and pink of Casuals, Greenwich wore a stylish blue away shirt. A
notable name on the away side’s team-sheet was Billy Dunn, a seasoned attacker who
has represented the likes of Tooting, Horsham and Carshalton. With a merry atmosphere
(created by the Christmas Fayre at King George’s) the hearty 412 spectators flocked to
their positions; the game commenced.

The first eighteen minutes were fascinating and set the tone for the rest of the game. As
predicted, it was high-tempo from the off with Danny Bracken called into action in the
seventh minute; parrying a close range effort with his legs. Corinthians also threatened the
pink shirt of Craig Holloway- Greenwich’s keeper. Danny Dudley’s header was swallowed
easily by Holloway before another Casuals set-piece was collected. In the eighteenth
minute, a Casuals attack was quickly thwarted by the strong back four of Greenwich
before the midfield re-generated another opportunity. Greenwich’s no.14 attempted to
distribute the ball to the keeper with a routine back-pass but it was severely misplaced as
Juevan Spencer superbly intercepted. Simply squaring the ball for the predator in the
centre, Spencer’s awareness and Greenwich’s capitulation resulted in Shaun Okojie’s
eighteenth of the season. Casuals drew first blood in the vital encounter that could shape
the campaign for either side.

Greenwich’s Glenn Wilson agonisingly missed from only a few yards after an adventurous
winger delivered a pin-point cross as the Cannons failed to equalise despite overwhelming
possession. At half-time, James Bracken’s side’s composure and attacking edge awarded
them with a 1-0 advantage.

Looking to solidify the scoreline, Casuals’ team-talk certainly worked as four minutes into
the latter 45, they met their aim. Delivering a beautiful cross, Mahrez Bettache enabled
Danny Dudley (who stayed up front after a corner was cleared) to head the ball towards
goal, the looping header beat the keeper and found the back of the net. Practically joining
the terrace in celebrations, Dudley and his merry men changed the score-line, two goals to
nil. Casuals had around forty minutes to hang on.

An incredible save from Danny Bracken denied Wilson from a consolation goal as a
darting cross ensued heroic reflexes from the no.1. Disbelief from both the terraces and
the pitch as the cool Bracken punched the air in celebration. Time ticking, the game’s
tempo took a turn for the worse with possession over-ruling chances. Clarke, who
impressed during the Merstham’s clash, sprinted through on goal and nearly ended the
game completely, if it were not for the defender breathing down his back, a major
distraction. Clarke’s slight touch dribbled wide as cries for a penalty were waved away.
Casuals nicked all three points as the referee blew thrice for full-time.

A remarkably comfortable victory that trumps any other performance this season, Casuals
had defeated a strong Greenwich side. News from Sutton was that ten-man Carshalton
Athletic had lost 3-0 to Hythe Town prompting Casuals move into third! Corinthians march
onto a midweek clash versus AFC Wimbledon at home in the Cup before a knockout
Boxing Day fixture against Walton Casuals.

Wishing all Casuals players, staff and supporters a very Merry Christmas, we’ll see you at
King George’s!

Stuart Tree spoke to James Bracken after the match:
“Seven wins in a row is nice. We did seven in a row at the end of last season and carried it
over to the start of this season to make it ten on the bounce. Maybe that can be the next
little target to aim for.

“That said, every game is hard. We've got Walton Casuals here on Boxing Day.
“It's a big win today. Whether it'll prove to be the biggest win of the season, I don't know
but when we're playing these sides up and around us at the minute, they're six pointers.
It's very unusual for us to be saying that before Christmas but they really are invaluable
wins.

“Results went our way today and we've closed the gap on the leaders with games in hand.
We're putting ourselves in a very strong position. I said this little ten game period was
crucial. We're four games into it with four wins. Let's see where we are after this spell and
see if we're top or still in contention for playoffs. At the minute, with the way we're playing,
we can get the top spot.

“We had periods where we're on the front foot and perhaps could've scored a couple more
in the second half and we've had periods of soaking up pressure. Greenwich had a lot of
the ball without creating any real great chances. The one chance they did have, Danny's
pulled out a world class save.

“When we perform like that and puts in that level of effort, where everyone comes off the
pitch with socks around their ankles and they've had it, you can't single out a solitary man
of the match. That's what being a team is all about. If you're going to win a league, you win
it by being a team. Look at the past. Burgess Hill, Folkestone... everyone who wins plays
as a complete team. At the minute, we're a team.

“Whilst we have good players, there's no standout performers. There's no one in the
changing room that thinks they're better than anyone else within the squad. They
understand that everyone here is trying to achieve the same outcome and we're all on the
same page with that way of thinking.”

Corinthian-Casuals 2-5 Merstham
Ryman League Cup
Tuesday 13th December 2016
Match report Cameron Smith; Photo Stuart Tree

A marvellous Merstham dispatched five goals past valiant Corinthian Casuals on a
deflating Tuesday evening where James Bracken’s youthful side exited the Alan
Turvey Trophy at the quarter-finals.

Returning from The Battle Of Hastings victorious, Casuals secured their place in the playoffs
with a momentous 4-3 win. King George’s Field was occupied once more on a mild
Tuesday night. This time, it was a more authoritative opposition, Merstham FC, who were
mid-table in the Ryman Premier Division. Progressing into the third round via Leatherhead,
the Moatsiders have had a mixed season as they struggled to balance their league targets
with FA Cup dreams. Airing live on BT Sport, Merstham faced Oxford United in the
Emirates FA Cup at Redhill in November as a new club landmark was reached. After the
historic fixture (in which Merstham succumbed to a 5-0 loss), they found themselves in
seventeenth place in the league.

An experimental starting XI was fielded by James Bracken to face the powerful force of
Merstham. The exclusion of no.1 Danny Bracken dominated talk around the ground as
youngster Louis Dixon made his first appearance for Casuals. Besides adding Jack
Strange ahead of Terry Murray at the back, two debutants made their first starts in
chocolate and pink: Jasper Harlington and Callum McAllister playing in the centre of the
park. Obviously looking ahead to the crucial league game versus Greenwich Borough on
Saturday, Bracken named Murray and Gallagher on the bench.

A vocal Merstham were physically involved from the off. Dealing with the tricky Jordan
Clarke, the away side’s red shirts swarmed towards any hint of danger created by
Casuals. The rapid trio of Merstham provided an opening goal after eleven minutes. Xavier
Vidal, who has represented Welling and Dulwich Hamlet during his short but eventful
career, converted from close range after terrific build-up.

It only took seven minutes for Casuals to reply. With remarkable speed that the Casuals
contingent have grown accustomed to, Max Oldham was a blur as he beat multiple
defenders before reaching the by-line. Goalkeeper rounded, Oldham attempted to square
the ball towards the six yard box until it was met by the hands of defender Marc-Anthony
Okoye, who pushed the ball away. Pointing to the spot, the referee decided to let the
offender off with a bizarre warning as Clarke stepped up to take the spot-kick. Slotting past
Phil Wilson, Clarke equalised with confidence.

Dictating the field, the visitors took a firm grip on the game thanks to Henriques, who
sneakily edged away from his marker to head home and make it 2-1. Before Merstham’s
second, Casuals had nearly scored via Oldham, who failed to connect from a cross.
Fortunately for Casuals, the referee blew for half-time as both sides re-grouped.
A potentially exciting second-half was let down by the lack of chances from both teams.
Merstham gathered and distributed the ball brilliantly whilst Casuals blocked the ruthless
visitors. This cycle caused a frustrating goal-less encounter as Corinthians grew
desperate- Ben Cheklit hammering the ball just over the bar from around forty yards. A
similar effort was replicated by the intrepid McAllister but this time, he fired into the roof of
the net from thirty yards in spectacularly random fashion. Surprised at himself, the
youngster deservedly celebrated as the game was levelled.

From jubilance to despair, Casuals were dealt with a devastating blow as two quick-fire
goals from Merstham resulted in a 4-2 scoreline. Merstham’s Kershaney Samuels claimed
the vital third as another corner troubled the hosts. A clearance from Casuals deflected off
a team-mate for substitute Callum Willock to slot home. Then, Merstham added a fifth
thanks to Dan Hector- the no.15 sliding the ball home after Dixon overly-committed
following a dangerous, floating cross from the away side.

A fresh and exciting Casuals team left King George’s disappointed despite a plucky display
whilst Merstham advanced into the semi-finals. We wish Merstham the best of luck in the
next round. Focusing on the tough task of promotion-rivals Greenwich, James Bracken’s
pink and brown army marched onto a vital league match.

Carshalton Athletic 1 – 3 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Monday 5th December 2016
Match report and pics: Stuart Tree
 
A spirited second half comeback from Corinthian-Casuals coupled with two red cards for Carshalton ensured James Bracken’s side came away from Colston Avenue with all three points.
 
Trailing at half time to a Tommy Bradford penalty, goals from Josh Uzun, Shaun Okojie and Jamie Byatt capped a terrific turnaround granting Corinth their fifth straight league win.
 
Since Carshalton Athletic joined the Ryman South three seasons ago, Casuals have had the better of results against their close neighbours, now winning five of the last six encounters. The only blip was the 1-1 draw back on New Year’s Day, when Okojie levelled late to grab a point.
 
Bookies put Casuals 3/1 outsiders going into Monday night and Carshalton, accustomed to their 3G pitch, were rightly favourites. The Robins sat one place above their opponents in 4th having lost just once at home all season. Popular playmaker Sekou Kaba was the only familiar face to Casuals fans in the Robins line-up since his move from King George’s in the summer.
 
The hosts started the brighter of the teams and zipped the ball about with confidence putting Casuals on the back foot. On 18 minutes, the deadlock was broken; Kaba was fouled in the box by keeper Danny Bracken and Tommy Bradford slammed home the resulting spot kick to give the home side a deserved lead. They could’ve made it two when Player/Manager Peter Adeniyi’s rocket shot was miraculously fingertipped onto the bar by Bracken. The rebound fell kindly to Kaba and with the goalmouth gaping, somehow fired high into the misty sky.
 
Casuals rarely threatened with the exception of Okojie who did well to test Kozakis in the Carshalton goal albeit with relative comfort. The lead at half time was deserved, and whilst the brass band played on, Casuals were plotting their comeback… and how!
 
The turnaround began when Kaba was dismissed for a foul in the area following a free kick. With a missed open goal, conceding a penalty and seeing red, it’s safe to say that the Frenchman has had better nights. His actions led to the away contingent behind the goal chanting “he’s a Casual.” On this performance, perhaps he still is! Ryman League player of the week-elect, Josh Uzun struck home his penalty and the game was for the taking.
 
If Shaun Okojie’s dragged shot wide of the post was a surprise, the way he dispatched the ball into the net a minute later certainly wasn’t. A fine cross from the byline by Maz Bettache found the big striker whose touch was so crisp, it left Kozakis in goal with no chance of stopping it.
 
Things went from bad to worse for the Robins as Jordan Hibbert was shown a red card for an awful challenge on Kevant Serbony, leading to the midfielder having to be stretchered off. His injury looking to keep him out for a while.
 
Down to nine men, the game was effectively over. To ensure no surprise comeback was on the cards, substitute Jamie Byatt lashed home a rasping shot beating Kozakis at his near post to send Casuals fans into rapture and many of the home supporters heading for the exit.
 
The win keeps Casuals in 5th, one place and one point below Carshalton but with a game in hand. Casuals face an equally tough trip to Hastings United on Saturday.
 
After the match, James Bracken spoke to Darren Pasley,
 
“Carshalton started off very well. The first fifteen to twenty minutes from them was as good a performance as I’ve seen from a Ryman South side. They started off playing good football and have developed a style that suits their 3G surface. Whether it works on a boggy pitch at Ramsgate or Faversham is to be seen but they’re up there for a reason, doing well and on that performance you can see why.
 
“They got their noses in front from the penalty which it was… I have no qualms about that. But after that, they seemed to stop doing what they were doing so well and we got back into the game.
 
“At half time, I said to the lads, next fifteen minutes, stay in it and we’ll get chances. We stayed in it and chances came. Yes – their sending offs ultimately helped towards the end but we were in that game at 11 versus 11. They’ve not scored a goal in open play against us and we’ve equalised in the same circumstances as how they’ve scored.
 
“It’d been easy to get irate about one or two tackles. I felt we got no decisions go our way in the first half and were getting a rough rub of the green. Second half, I wouldn’t say we were lucky but the referee has given what he saw. I don’t think there can be any complaints about the red cards that were given. We’ve done enough to win at a tough place to come and that’s all I can ask.
 
“Kevant’s injury is bad. He’ll attend hospital and I’ll probably end up spending half the night with him. It was a bad tackle. There was one or two out there tonight. A zippy night on this type of surface can make for fast collisions. Fingers crossed, the injury is no more than a bad sprain.
 
“We’ve got tough tests all the way until January now. I’ve set us a mini target for the next ten games. We’ve now won two of them. If we can win six out of the ten I’ve earmarked, we’ll still be in the playoff places. Hopefully, we’ll have a run of slightly easier games and mop up the points on those. But every game is tough… I can’t recall turning up to any game and rolling over the opposition.” 

Ramsgate 3-4 Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 3rd December 2016
Match Report Cameron Smith

An exhilarating Saturday afternoon at the seaside, the fast and furious Corinthian
Casuals edged unfortunate Ramsgate 4-3 with Josh Uzun bringing the match-ball
home following a terrific hat-trick.

After the disappointing mid-match abandonment on Tuesday, Casuals still sat in the
lucrative play-off positions with a game in hand. It is the other situation for Ramsgate. In
17th at the bottom of the table, the Rams have had a mixed campaign in terms of form as
twelve defeats cancel out the six victories. One of many defeats featured the previous
fixture versus Casuals in September where Shaun Okojie’s late winner separated the
sides.

James Bracken incorporated three changes from the fifty-nine minute game in midweek as
the hungry and versatile Jamie Byatt happily shifted into a familiar left-back position, with
Dave Hodges absent. Receiving a straight red card against Herne Bay last week, Danny
Dudley sat out- resulting in Jack Strange being appointed in centre-back. Kevant Serbony
returned to the first-team in style; his name was included on the team-sheet ahead of Ben
Cheklit.

White shirts and navy shorts, Corinthians walked out onto the slightly uneven Southwood
Stadium surface alongside the red shirts and white shorts of Ramsgate. Mirroring Tuesday
evening’s events, both sides stood for a minute’s silence around the centre circle to
remember the lives lost in the Chapecoense plane crash. Impeccable, the game was then
kick-started on the referee’s whistle.

Both sides possessing desire and grit, the tempo was set high early on. So when a penalty
was given in the seventh minute, it was not a surprise for the neutral. It was a surprise for
Casuals as protestors swarmed the man in black. Swiftly converted to the bottom left
corner, (Bracken was an inch from preventing it) Aaron Millbank notched his sixth of the
season with a powerful penalty.

Two minutes. It only took two minutes for Casuals to reply as Josh Uzun was in the right
place at the right time to glance the ball into the empty net after a corner was kept out by
Watkins. Low-key celebrations, Uzun grabbed the ball and ran to the other side of the
pitch; raring to edge ahead. In the 17th minute, Casuals did find the net via the lively Josh
Gallagher as Uzun played a neat through ball to Gallagher before the midfielder finished.
Brief celebrations were halted as Casuals gazed towards the flag of the linesman, which
was in the air to signal offside.

A few moments later, the visitors were finally in the driving seat for the first time as
Ramsgate’s Watkins had a nightmare. Routine, the keeper (in a fluorescent green shirt)
swallowed a dead ball and was ready to distribute. He aimed the throw at a red shirt out
wide and launched it towards his team-mate, unaware of the predator Uzun in-front of him.
Uzun was also unaware of the keeper as he turned his back to him. Accidentally belting
the ball at Uzun’s back, the ball cushioned perfectly for the attacker to slot into the empty
net comically. Hilarious to the Casuals, deflating to the Rams.

However, both sides contained grit and the hosts showcased that in the 34th minute.
Oliver Gray, one of many red shirts in the crowd surrounding the six yard box, latched onto
a free-kick and stabbed the ball into the empty net as the oncoming Bracken missed the ball.
The Rams’ previous passage of play resulted in a remarkable save from Bracken but
the strong presence in the Casuals net was broken by Gray as he equalised to make it
2-2.  With the tempo depleting, Clarke’s effort, which comfortably found Watkins’ gloves, was
the only highlight before half-time.

Darkness descended onto Southwood in the second half as Jordan Clarke nearly scored
straight from a corner kick; Watkins tipping the ball over. Casuals dominated the
opportunities on goal as Shaun Okojie’s capitulation from a yard caused groans and
support from the away end and a sigh of relief from the home end. Eventually, Casuals
took the lead. A first-half brace, Uzun was full of confidence as he swaggered into the
penalty area to join yet another Casuals invasion. With Okojie being denied by the keeper,
the ball bounced towards the open Uzun in the area as the midfielder secured a classy
hat-trick with a beautifully-executed shot, which flew into the top corner, prompting crazy
celebrations from the travelling Casuals fans. It was 3-2.

Morale was high in the Casuals camp but their celebratory instincts shouldn’t have got the
better of them as the see-saw match progressed into the final twenty minutes. Joseph
Kane, who had controlled the Rams midfield, wrote his name on the scoresheetdispatching
past Bracken as Casuals were pegged back for the second time.
Back and forth, the game had a highly entertaining script but there was one more twist in
the tale… In the 74th minute, the red shirts of Ramsgate looked on in fear as Josh
Gallagher squared the ball for Mahrez Bettache. This time, Watkins was able to keep the
ball out of the net and avert a goal from Bettache. Poaching at its finest, Okojie jabbed the
rebound into the goal as Corinthians took the lead- again! Three agonising stoppage time
minutes for Casuals ended- the game had concluded with a very happy ending for the
visitors.

Manager James Bracken spoke to Cameron Smith after the game:
“It always feels good to come away with three points and it’s great to get four league wins
on the spin at a difficult place on a cold, windy day. It was very sweet especially because
of the nature of the game, going back and forth. It’s always great to come out on top in
those games.”
“I think we started quite well. The penalty was soft especially after five minutes, which was
a bit harsh but it was given, we moved on. We’ve responded well like we’ve done in the
past few games: conceded then replied straight away, which is nice.
“I said to the lads in the second-half that we have the advantage as Ramsgate would be
coming into the wind, which is good in a management point of view. They got a goal
against the run of play and I think we were worthy by winning it more than one but three
points is three points. The second-half was mad but the lads did exactly what I instructed
them to do. We were professional and kept them out in the last five minutes, which was
brilliant. Overall, I’m pleased.”

Corinthian-Casuals A-A East Grinstead Town
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 29th November 2016
Match Report Cameron Smith
Photo Stuart Tree (Full set here)

After combatting the frigid weather for fifty-nine minutes, the Corinthian Casuals
versus East Grinstead Town game was abandoned due to the frozen surface of King
George’s Field, with the score goalless.

Following a delightful home victory on Saturday in which a terrific Maz Bettache
performance sealed three points against Herne Bay, football was in Tolworth again on
Tuesday. As the spectators shuffled into the ground, it was clear to see the layer of frost
across the pitch. With officials more than happy to get the game underway, the starting XI
of Corinthians was registered- Jamie Byatt and Brandon Johnson warming the bench
whilst Shaun Okojie and Ben Cheklit started.

With two opponents from West Sussex in the last three games, Casuals were looking to
take all three points on this occasion as the clash at East Court ended 2-2. In a worrying
twentieth spot, the Wasps have lost their last four games with convincing scorelines,
especially versus promotion hunters Tooting & Mitcham.

With temperatures hovering below freezing point, the chocolate and pink shirts of Casuals
and the white away kit of East Grinstead positioned themselves on the centre circle for a
minute’s silence. On Tuesday morning, overwhelming news dominated the footballing
world as a plane carrying eighty-one passengers, who were footballers, management, staff
and journalists of Chapecoense, an upcoming Brazilian side, crashed and fatally took the
lives of seventy-five. Travelling to Colombia for the biggest match in the club’s history,
there were only six survivors- three footballers. A devastating day, Casuals, East
Grinstead, officials and spectators stood to remember the lives lost in a beautifullyobserved
minute’s silence. At all levels of football, we stand together. Our thoughts are
with the families, friends and colleagues of Chapecoense.

Cancelling each other out with rued opportunities, the game entered half-time with the
scoreline goalless. After six minutes, a low cross from East Grinstead evaded everyoneincluding
the unmarked player stuck on the back-post ready to pounce. On the fifteen
minute mark, the best chance in the game arose with Josh Uzun so nearly opening the
scoring if it wasn’t for the oncoming Chris Haigh, who parried away. As the quality of the
pitch deteriorated, the quality of football did too. But, moments before half-time, both sides
could have netted. Superb technique from Ben Cheklit saw his dipping free-kick saved by
Haigh before the Wasps were denied by the late Dave Hodges, booting the ball from the
goal-line with the Grinstead attacker convinced he had scored.

Indicating the match was in doubt, half-time passed with uncertainty as to whether the
game would last a full ninety minutes. A series of missed chances for Corinthians, the
tempo was raised until three blows of the whistle ceased play.

Re-scheduled for a later date, fans and players returned to the warm willingly. We thank
East Grinstead for making the trip from West Sussex and we look forward to the replay
soon! A trip to the seaside is next on the agenda for Casuals; a trip to Ramsgate is
arranged for our first game in December this Saturday.