Corinthian-Casuals 2-2 Fleet Town
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Saturday 16 November 2024
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn
Mu Maan’s daredevil Casuals left it late once again, as supersub Kieron Cadogan clutched a point from the jaws of defeat in stoppage time.
A play-off battle, a Goal of the Season contender, and a last-gasp equaliser – all the ingredients needed for a Combined Counties classic. Daring to dream of another fairytale ending, Corinthian-Casuals went toe-to-toe with fellow promotion hopefuls Fleet Town, who boast a near-flawless record so far this campaign.
The previous outing in the league also demonstrated a refreshing and inspiring fighting spirit that Maan’s side now possesses. Jerson Dos Santos rescued victory in Guildford when it looked for all the world that the hosts had secured a hard-fought point, but a winner in the dying embers brought all three back to Tolworth.
Midweek Under-18s action meant rests for prospects David Wloch and Ogbeifun Ojo-Osagie, as Sami Nabbad and Warren Morgan were welcomed back to a reshuffled Corinthian pack. A first half of few clear-cut chances made for a fairly quiet return for the pair, although an early Fleet stinger that flew narrowly wide of the post would’ve left them uncomfortable.
After the late glory of last weekend, Jerson had an opportunity to write his name into the headlines again right on the stroke of half-time – some breathtaking build-up from Casuals left Diogo da Silva with acres of space, but Dos Santos couldn’t redirect his cross into the back of the net. The first sighting of a busy afternoon in front of goal.
The 321 Corinthian-Casuals fans in attendance went into the interval wondering, “What if?” as they cast their minds back to the handful of chances the side could’ve put away. Jerson was involved in the action once more, this time when Trey Masikini picked it up in the pocket and rolled it into the stride of the onrushing striker, but his airborne strike didn’t trouble Finley Purcell.
The hosts’ hard luck continued, as the Blues cashed in on a lapse of Casuals concentration against the run of play. Nabbad has been a reliable presence bearing the gloves since his return to the club, but a mix-up between him and Morgan on 57 minutes was seized upon by Fleet forward Tane Caubo, who slotted into an empty net. An unfortunate way to go behind.
Fleet’s attacking armada set sail once again less than 10 minutes later, when pink-and-chocolate penalty cries at one end were quickly drowned out by Fleet jubilance at the other, as the visiting supporters witnessed a Kai Tanner pearler on the break, just moments after the officials had overlooked what looked a clear foul on Denis Travin in their own area. The visitors’ winger cut in from the left channel to unleash a majestic strike into the far corner of Nabbad’s net, leaving sombre expressions upon the faces of the home crowd.
As a sheet of darkness overtook the Tolworth skies, the hosts were offered a lifeline. Given 25 minutes (plus stoppage time) to make his mark, Cadogan introduced himself from the bench with a bang, kick-starting the Casuals comeback with an instinctive finish into the roof of the net. A fresh wave of hope overcame the supporters that Corinth could get even a fraction of what they truthfully deserved out of the game.
The seconds and the minutes ticked past, and the eager fanbase urged the team on while Nabbad was given the nod to venture forward for Da Silva’s final corner of the game in the seventh minute of time added on. Time seemed to stand still as Casuals bodies hurled themselves at the cross, and many prayers would have been answered behind the goal when Cadogan was there at the back post to hook the ball over the goal line, sending the supporters into raptures. Wheeling away in relieved celebration, Maan’s men had salvaged it just in time.
Corinthian-Casuals: Nabbad, Gjoshe, Kellett-Smith, Morgan, Pilonetto (Cadogan 64), Adelakun, M Dos Santos, Masikini, Da Silva , Dillon (Travin 61) (Cascoe-Rogers 68), J Dos Santos
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Saturday 16 November 2024
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn
Mu Maan’s daredevil Casuals left it late once again, as supersub Kieron Cadogan clutched a point from the jaws of defeat in stoppage time.
A play-off battle, a Goal of the Season contender, and a last-gasp equaliser – all the ingredients needed for a Combined Counties classic. Daring to dream of another fairytale ending, Corinthian-Casuals went toe-to-toe with fellow promotion hopefuls Fleet Town, who boast a near-flawless record so far this campaign.
The previous outing in the league also demonstrated a refreshing and inspiring fighting spirit that Maan’s side now possesses. Jerson Dos Santos rescued victory in Guildford when it looked for all the world that the hosts had secured a hard-fought point, but a winner in the dying embers brought all three back to Tolworth.
Midweek Under-18s action meant rests for prospects David Wloch and Ogbeifun Ojo-Osagie, as Sami Nabbad and Warren Morgan were welcomed back to a reshuffled Corinthian pack. A first half of few clear-cut chances made for a fairly quiet return for the pair, although an early Fleet stinger that flew narrowly wide of the post would’ve left them uncomfortable.
After the late glory of last weekend, Jerson had an opportunity to write his name into the headlines again right on the stroke of half-time – some breathtaking build-up from Casuals left Diogo da Silva with acres of space, but Dos Santos couldn’t redirect his cross into the back of the net. The first sighting of a busy afternoon in front of goal.
The 321 Corinthian-Casuals fans in attendance went into the interval wondering, “What if?” as they cast their minds back to the handful of chances the side could’ve put away. Jerson was involved in the action once more, this time when Trey Masikini picked it up in the pocket and rolled it into the stride of the onrushing striker, but his airborne strike didn’t trouble Finley Purcell.
The hosts’ hard luck continued, as the Blues cashed in on a lapse of Casuals concentration against the run of play. Nabbad has been a reliable presence bearing the gloves since his return to the club, but a mix-up between him and Morgan on 57 minutes was seized upon by Fleet forward Tane Caubo, who slotted into an empty net. An unfortunate way to go behind.
Fleet’s attacking armada set sail once again less than 10 minutes later, when pink-and-chocolate penalty cries at one end were quickly drowned out by Fleet jubilance at the other, as the visiting supporters witnessed a Kai Tanner pearler on the break, just moments after the officials had overlooked what looked a clear foul on Denis Travin in their own area. The visitors’ winger cut in from the left channel to unleash a majestic strike into the far corner of Nabbad’s net, leaving sombre expressions upon the faces of the home crowd.
As a sheet of darkness overtook the Tolworth skies, the hosts were offered a lifeline. Given 25 minutes (plus stoppage time) to make his mark, Cadogan introduced himself from the bench with a bang, kick-starting the Casuals comeback with an instinctive finish into the roof of the net. A fresh wave of hope overcame the supporters that Corinth could get even a fraction of what they truthfully deserved out of the game.
The seconds and the minutes ticked past, and the eager fanbase urged the team on while Nabbad was given the nod to venture forward for Da Silva’s final corner of the game in the seventh minute of time added on. Time seemed to stand still as Casuals bodies hurled themselves at the cross, and many prayers would have been answered behind the goal when Cadogan was there at the back post to hook the ball over the goal line, sending the supporters into raptures. Wheeling away in relieved celebration, Maan’s men had salvaged it just in time.
Corinthian-Casuals: Nabbad, Gjoshe, Kellett-Smith, Morgan, Pilonetto (Cadogan 64), Adelakun, M Dos Santos, Masikini, Da Silva , Dillon (Travin 61) (Cascoe-Rogers 68), J Dos Santos
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