Carshalton Athletic 0 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League South
Tuesday 26th December 2017
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set of pics here)

Corinthian-Casuals and Carshalton Athletic both drew blanks in a high quality Boxing Day clash at Colston Avenue, to leave both sides still just outside the automatic promotion places.
 
Casuals and Carshalton came into the match 3rd and 4th in the table respectively. Looking to avenge the 4-2 loss to the Robins on the August Bank Holiday, Manager James Bracken still had a number of players missing but drafted in fan favourite Terry Murray at Centre Back much to the delight of the travelling support. Harry Ottaway and Nathan Daly were the notable absentees from the 3-2 win at the weekend with Reyon Dillon leading the charge up front.
 
As to be expected from two sides who like to play attractive football, both sides were happy to zip the ball around on the artificial surface – a welcome change to some of the poor pitches at this time of the year. Despite the slick football, neither side were committed to pushing forward and the opening exchanges were a little cagey. Casuals threatened with their first chance coming courtesy of Ben Cheklit’s free kick, only parried by Billy Bishop who was able to gather at the second time of asking.
 
At the other end, Danny Bracken made a fine save after Carshalton broke down Casuals defence and Mikel Miller blasted at the stopper from the edge of the box.
 
Casuals best chance fell to Reyon Dillon with the first half closing when Gabriel Odunaike unselfishly squared the ball to the big striker but his shot was just the wrong side of the post and only troubled the outside of the netting.
 
The second half belonged to the Robins, certainly in possession and territory. Bracken once again made two fine stops to ensure parity in the scoreline, one a brilliant scoop around the post from Ricky Korboa. Casuals attacks were more fleeting though Dillon would feel he should’ve put the Casuals in front when Max Oldham’s cross fizzed along the goalmouth and only needed the faintest of touches to find the target.
 
Max Oldham caused the most fear for the Robins back line and he was felled by Dudley just on the edge of the penalty area. Step-up Josh Uzun who narrowly flashed his free kick wide.
 
Carshalton could’ve won it at the end when possession was loosely given away and allowed Ricky Korboa to run through with only Bracken to beat. However, the resulting wild shot flashed over the bar and into the distance.
 
In a game devoid of any real bad challenges, it was inexplicable as to how both sides shared nine bookings but despite the best efforts of the referee to take centre stage, both Carshalton and Casuals were able to put on an entertaining afternoon’s football for the 424 in attendance.
 
James Bracken commented after the game, "I don’t ever accept coming into a game looking for a draw, but sometimes, after the match has finished, sometimes you can say a draw is a good and fair result. It’s a point gained rather than two lost today."
 
"It was a good game of football. It was a good advert for this league. Carshalton like to play, we set up a certain way to counter it. We had our chances as did they. Certainly right at the death, we’ve made a couple of poor errors through players tiring. One of them, it’s his second game and the other his first for two months. Understandably a little bit of tiredness crept in at the end.
 
"Other than that, the chances were few and far between.
 
"A point keeps them behind us. This isn’t an easy place to come and Carshalton played very well today. I’ve seen them a few times this season and that’s as good as I’ve seen them move the ball around in the second half as I’ve seen this year. But we’ve more than kept with it. We’ve had our own attacks, not through controlled possession as they have but still created one or two chances.
 
"We’re starting to get there. That’s one defeat in the last six and a clean sheet away at Carshalton. I believe we’ve turned the corner and now out of what was our blip. We need to push on and pick up a consecutive run of three points."
​

Corinthian-Casuals 3 - 2 East Grinstead Town
Bostik League South
Saturday 23rd December 2017
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)

​Corinthian-Casuals secured three points in a dramatic finale which saw Nathan Daly’s shot deflected home in the 96th minute against East Grinstead Town.
 
Twice, the home side were pegged back from taking the lead, but scoring with the last kick of the game ensured that couldn’t happen for a third time.
 
Whilst James Bracken hasn’t had the easiest run of results in the past month, three wins in the last four matches sees Casuals potentially emerge from a sticky situation relatively unscathed.
 
The addition of Harry Ottaway and Frazer Walker to Corinth can only bolster a squad ravaged by injuries. 37 games between August and Christmas has certainly taken its toll on Casuals and many other clubs dealing with an arduous schedule.
 
Harry Ottaway, scorer on his debut in the Velocity Trophy win on Tuesday made his home debut appearance as well as Frazer Walker, taking his place in a makeshift defensive line-up.
 
Casuals could feel confident of a victory after the 5-0 win at East Grinstead’s GAC Stadium back in August. Matt Longhurst’s side hasn’t really progressed from that point, occupying 3rd from bottom going into the match. As many attest, anyone can beat anyone in this league and the Wasps have proven that already beating Casuals’ Boxing Day opponents Carshalton Athletic back in October.
 
Any fears of a repeat were allayed in just the seventh minute when Ottaway converted a whipped in Gabriel Odunaike cross to give the home crowd plenty to cheer.
 
Cheers turned to tears just four minutes later when a defensive mix-up caused Marcus Elliott to score one of the easiest goals he’ll grab this season.
 
It wasn’t long before Casuals were ahead again. On 26 minutes, a cleared corner fell to Max Oldham 25 yards out and catching the keeper off his line, beautifully-lobbed Dan Smith to re-take the lead. It was one of those shots that you knew was in the moment it was struck.
 
To calm nerves, Casuals needed a third and continually probed the Grinstead goal. Ottaway came closest when his improvised effort hit the crossbar.
 
The third never came and on the hour mark, Grinstead were back in it, courtesy of Charlie Postance, who fired home into the opposite corner after a small spell of pressure.
 
Nerves frayed as time ticked on. A scuffle on the touchline saw one from each side sent to the stands, though the delay in sorting the melee was to prove vital. Six minutes added time was indicated and going into the fifth of those minutes, Josh Uzun whipped in a free kick that was tipped round the post by keeper Smith. The resulting corner saw Jack Strange flick on the ball to Nathan Daly who stuck out a leg to fire home. His effort, possibly going wide was made sure of finding the net when Steven Springett’s outstretched limb deflected the ball past Smith. Scenes followed as Grinstead lay dejected whilst Casuals celebrated their vital last gasp winner.
 
The win leaves Casuals in third, only on goal difference and three points off top spot. Casuals make the short trip to fourth-placed Carshalton on Boxing Day.
 
“That was very sweet,” said Bracken after the match.  “How we’ve got ourselves in a 2-2 game, I don’t know. Our performance today was far superior to anything we’ve done over the past half dozen games.
 
“We ground a result out in the week, going through on penalties which gave us a boost. Couple of boys made their debut and done well. Had a couple return too which is pleasing.
 
“A few of the boys in the changing room have said you’d rather win 3-2 in that manner than win 5-0 and feel a bit flat at the end as if you’ve not been challenged. We’ll take the positives out of it and enjoy that… just before Christmas, too.
 
“Tough test on Boxing Day at Carshalton but let’s get this right, it’s a tough test for them too. It’ll be a good game. Peter (Adeniyi – Carshalton Manager) likes to play good football on their 3G pitch. It’ll suit us too – we’ve only got good footballers. I don’t have players who’ll just run around kicking people up in the air. That’s not my philosophy. I want us to play the way the game should be played.
 
“We have enough boys who know what they need to do to perform. It’ll be a good game! Who’ll win? Whoever turns up on the day and takes their chances. I’m confident though. We’re always confident. That can get knocked when you haven’t got the results but we have to remember, our sticky patch included some good draws away. The 2-2 at Sittingbourne and coming from behind at Thamesmead twice isn’t to be rubbished. Okay – it’s not good enough but we have had 11 to 12 players out, consistently, every game for the last eight weeks. We’ve done what we can but now with one or two new lads in and one or two back, you’ll really see us fire again.
 
“The amazing thing is we’re still right in the mix. We’ve not been as good. Our strength in depth has been severely tested. They’re all doing their best though, as I always will.
 
“I’m pleased though. When you have a tough run, it can go one of two ways; either roll your sleeves up and get on with it or you shrivel up and die. After the Chipstead game, where they got back to 2-2 and lost, the same could’ve easily happened today. But that was never in danger. If anyone was going to win it, that was us. We’ve left it late but I don’t think anyone could say we didn’t deserve it. If they did, they’d be looking through Grinstead goggles.”

Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 1 VCD Athletic
Saturday 16th December 2017
Bostik League South
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)

​Corinthian-Casuals suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to lowly VCD Athletic at King George’s Arena on Saturday in the Bostik League South when Kemo Darboe’s 78th minute strike was enough to separate the sides.
 
James Bracken’s Casuals have now only won once in their last six league matches denting promotion hopes in the process. The 4-1 win at Horsham just days before seemingly a distant memory.
 
VCD came into the match also struggling for form; they’d lost the last three on the bounce and a trip to second-placed Casuals was set to be the toughest test in the festive period.
 
Casuals still remain depleted and though it’s hoped that Jordan Clarke will soon return from injury, Danny Cunningham, Kevant Serbony and Mu Maan look to be out for somewhat considerably longer. There was no last hurrah for departing Dave Hodges either also due to injury.
 
Despite this, Casuals looked lively in the early exchanges and most of the threat came from the right with Reyon Dillon constantly haranguing Kojo Awotwi at full back. The imposing striker forcing a large number of corners. It was to be the theme for the afternoon.
 
At the other end, Rashid Kamara’s free kick from a dangerous area caught all by surprise and blushes were spared when the crossbar came to the rescue. Further embarrassment was avoided when Nathan Daly slipped, allowing Kamara the chance to score, only to be denied by a clearance from Malachi Robinson.
 
Casuals continued to force more corners. Dillon’s looping header came the closest, causing Joe Mant to tip it over to safety. Max Oldham found the side netting with another burst into the box but the half was to end as drab as the weather.
 
Arguably, VCD looked the better in the second half, often causing Casuals to remain on the backfoot and hurrying clearances. Ex-Casual Ayman El-Moyhalbel came closest when he struck the post from close range. It was a warning sign that wasn’t heeded.
 
The story at the other end was repeatable ad-nauseum; Corner, corner, corner, corner, corner. It became somewhat of a reoccurring joke in the stands as many had lost count of the set-pieces Casuals had earned. Despite the growing number, now well past twenty, Casuals rarely threatened.
 
Then on 78 minutes came the sting in the tail; Rather than clearing the lines, Daly was caught in possession and VCD couldn’t fail to score. Darboe slotting past Bracken to deal the final blow. Casuals attempted to rally and forced a couple of decent saves from Mant, but VCD held out for their fourth win on the road this season.
 
“Our play wasn’t good but I can’t knock us based on how many times we’ve got into the final third of the pitch,” said James Bracken after the match. “It’s not an exaggeration; we’ve won 25-30 corners.”
 
“If you’re forcing that many corners – and we were forcing them by putting in crosses and shots that were blocked, we have to be scoring one or two of them. I can’t be watching every single corner get comfortably cleared. We’d have been there all night pumping balls into the box without anyone getting on the end of it.
 
“There were players not doing their roles properly and it’s very frustrating. To set a team up with jobs to do on the pitch and for them to not carry those out simply isn’t good enough. If one or two players don’t stick to the plan, then it comes all unstuck for the rest of us.
 
“The goal was a mistake. We should just be clearing our lines but got caught with a bouncing ball and tried to get too clever with it. We had four instances in the first half where we got caught in bad areas trying to do the wrong thing. If we continue to do that, we’ll gift goals away. We’ve been guilty of that recently and that’s why we’re on a bad run. The number of set-piece goals we’ve conceded are absolute gifts.
 
“We dealt with what VCD threw at us relatively well. They had one flick off the post and a couple of small periods in the second half of pressure, but Danny hasn’t had too much to do. But we gift a goal like that and it kills us. Ultimately, it’s down to us not taking our set-piece chances. From 30 corners, I expect us to be getting a minimum of five chances on target. We’ve had a couple at most and clearly wasn’t enough.
 
“I’m not going to say it’s okay because title rivals Lewes and Carshalton both lost. It’s not alright. We cannot accept losing, especially to teams that far down the table. No disrespect to VCD – they came with an energy and worked hard. For me, they’re a little better than their league position suggests. But we must remember we’ve forced the best part of 30 corners and if we convert a fraction of those, it’s game over.
 
“We’ve got to pull our fingers right out now. For me, Cray Wanderers will win every week. They’ll win this league. They’ve only lost once this season as it stands.
 
“Second spot is still available as everyone else will lose games – us included. There’s no point dressing it up and saying we’ll go on and win every game. We won’t. We need to get more mentally tough and grind out enough points because that’s what all teams are going to have to do now. Everyone can beat everyone.
 
“We need a couple of players back and we need a couple of players in. Hopefully, that’ll happen soon.
 
“Ask me again in a month how I feel when I have six more players available then I might be telling a different story but at the moment where we are, with what we’ve got, that’s where we are – having to grind out results. But we need to improve… and fast.”

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 3 Dulwich Hamlet
London Senior Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 5th December 2017
Match Report & Pics: Stuart Tree (set of photos here)

Corinthian-Casuals exited the London Senior Cup at the second hurdle against a strong Dulwich Hamlet side who proved that clinical finishing is the key to winning games.

Casuals found themselves 3-0 down at half time, though arguably the busier of the two keepers was Hamlet’s Preston Edwards who was excellent all evening, saving a penalty at a key moment in the match.

Josh Uzun finally found a way to beat the Dulwich stopper in time added on and Casuals will be aggrieved at the number of chances that passed by potentially swinging the game.

Corinth named a much changed line-up with James Bracken’s list of injuries growing. Jack Strange was rested giving Andrew Herring his first start in Casuals shirt. Matt Reece also bagged his first start of the season as plenty were rested – enforced or not, for the league campaign which continues at Thamesmead on Saturday.

Mu Maan had the first chance of the match with his shot cleared off the line by Hamlet skipper Kenny Beany. Matt Reece probably should’ve tested Edwards after he broke through but dragged his shot wide of the post.
Dulwich soon gave Casuals a lesson in clinical finishing; Crossing in from the left, Casuals failed to clear and Anthony Acheampong struck from close range.

A potential turning point occurred when Matt Reece was upended in the box. The striker stepped up for the penalty kick but saw his effort saved by Edwards. Less than a minute later, Acheampong had made it two for the visitors, converting a corner.

The tie was pretty much wrapped up five minutes before half time when Omar Koroma latched onto a cross from the left to leave keeper Bracken no chance.

Casuals came out second half looking to get back into the match and Matt Reece came closest early on. Turning his defender, he unleased a curling shot from 20 yards that crashed off the post and to safety. The striker soon had another great effort, this time on the turn, scrambled away by Edwards, low to his right.

Chances kept coming; Malachi Robinson burst into the box and his cross was met first time by Max Oldham who struck straight at the keeper and Dulwich survived another scare.

Finally, Casuals got the consolation goal that was deserved. Two successive free kicks from identical positions 25 yards out which saw the first effort well saved by the busy Dulwich custodian. However, the second was expertly placed in off the post, to give Casuals fans something to cheer about.
​
Dulwich showed why they occupy the top of the Bostik league Premier Division and were clinical when required. But Casuals showed spirit and all-in-all, gave those in attendance an enjoyable evening of good football, played by both sides. We wish Dulwich Hamlet all the best both on and off the pitch for the rest of the season.