Corinthian-Casuals 1-1 Burgess Hill Town
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 24th March 2015.
Report by Darren Pasley
Casuals held run-away leaders Burgess Hill Town to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening as young substitute Max Austin hit a deserved leveller deep into the second half.
It was a well-earned if unpredicted point for a Casuals side without the suspended talisman Jamie Byatt as Matt Howard was once again forced to shuffle his pack.
With no recognised left back available, Danny Green filled in to the full back position whilst Jake Gill continued for Maz Bettache who was only fit enough to return to the bench. There was a rare start up front for Reece Placid as Casuals looked to avenge a 2-1 defeat earlier in the season.
The opening stages saw the visitors, who needed just 8 points from their remaining 8 games to clinch the title, keep the ball well without penetrating the home defence. A win for the Hillians would also bring up the 100 points mark.
Indeed it was pretty much the first shot on target in the 24th minute that produced the game’s opening goal; a well worked move for the Hillians saw captain Darren Budd released inside the area and despite having his shot well blocked by Danny Bracken the ball fell to Pat Harding who couldn’t miss at the far post.
The visitors pressing was causing Casuals problems who for the first half hour struggled to get out of their half or even retain the ball for any amount of time. Lee Harding went close to doubling the lead after 29 minutes but following a ball over the top the strikers looping effort was just wide of the goal.
As the half went on Casuals gradually improved but as with Saturday, found the final ball severely lacking. The home sides first effort on goal came in the 37th minute where Dave Hodges left wing cross was knocked by Carl Wilson-Denis into the path of Reece Placid but the young forwards volleyed effort was deflected just wide by the covering defender.
Joe Hicks who had risen to the challenge all evening so far in his defensive duties attempted to get things improving at the other end as he went on a lung busting 60 yard run but on this occasion Juevan Spencer out wide fluffed his cross.
Into the second half and within 5 minutes Matt Howard was forced into his first change; Danny Green who was booked in the first half was penalised for a shoulder barge on the far touchline with the visiting players and fans insisting to the match officials it should be a red. After a stern talking to from the man in the middle to both Green and Hicks, the sensible option was taken and Max Austin introduced for the full back.
With the Casuals shape now changed Spencer over on the left started to find space and after skipping past the sizeable frame of Andy Pearson he squared the ball for Wilson-Denis who saw his shot charged down. Pearson was inches away from his sides second in the 65th minute when he met a corner but his header was narrowly over the bar.
The home side were now very much coming into the match and Lee Hall did well with 20 minutes remaining to work himself some space down the left and force keeper Josh James into his first save of the evening down low at his near post
The next few minutes saw Casuals press on as they sensed their opponents were happy to sit back. Both Gill and Placid had superb crosses well defended but in the 77th minute they were finally rewarded; A throw on the left midway in Burgess Hill’s half appeared to present no danger to a defence that had only conceded 31 in the league…the best in all 3 Ryman divisions. However Max Austin sensing the opportunity, arrived before Will Miles and in on goal saw his effort slide past James but onto the post. Thankfully the ball rebounded back into the path of the young striker who had the presence of mind to follow up his original effort and he finished home into the empty net to bring the scores level.
The final 10 minutes saw an open affair as both sides pushed for a winner. Reece Placid firing well wide after a mazy run which drew the attentions of 3 defenders.
At the other end substitute Spencer Slaughter had a glorious chance to send his side onto the 100-point mark. After being chipped in by Pat Harding the striker did well to bring the ball under control but amazingly failed to find the target from 8 yards out.
Into stoppage time and there was still time for Spencer to once again have the chance to win the game but this time he fired over from 12 yards and Casuals became only the 5th side this season to deny the champions elect maximum points on their travels.
“I thought we were unfortunate to be 1-0 down at half time. But that’s why Burgess Hill are top of the league - they get results. They’re on 98 points and we’ve got 50. Is the gap between the teams 48 points? I don’t think it is, although the league table doesn’t lie. But when we played them earlier in the season, we only lost 2-1, with the winner being an own goal. Over the two games, I don’t think there’s been a lot in it.
“They’re the best side in the league by far. They’re 17 points clear at the top. They’re consistent week in, week out. Ian (Chapman –Hill’s Manager) has put a great squad together and their desire to want to win is phenomenal.
“Saying that, I thought our boys matched them tonight. Second half, we’ve drawn level and do we come in at full time disappointed? Yeah – I think we do. Had either side won it, I think it would’ve been cruel. The standards we’ve set ourselves, the lads are a little disappointed that we haven’t beaten them.
“Max Austin is hungry, he want’s to learn and is keen. He probably should have put away the first chance but he showed the desire to follow it up and score. He didn’t give up and that’s what’s so commendable about him.”
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 24th March 2015.
Report by Darren Pasley
Casuals held run-away leaders Burgess Hill Town to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening as young substitute Max Austin hit a deserved leveller deep into the second half.
It was a well-earned if unpredicted point for a Casuals side without the suspended talisman Jamie Byatt as Matt Howard was once again forced to shuffle his pack.
With no recognised left back available, Danny Green filled in to the full back position whilst Jake Gill continued for Maz Bettache who was only fit enough to return to the bench. There was a rare start up front for Reece Placid as Casuals looked to avenge a 2-1 defeat earlier in the season.
The opening stages saw the visitors, who needed just 8 points from their remaining 8 games to clinch the title, keep the ball well without penetrating the home defence. A win for the Hillians would also bring up the 100 points mark.
Indeed it was pretty much the first shot on target in the 24th minute that produced the game’s opening goal; a well worked move for the Hillians saw captain Darren Budd released inside the area and despite having his shot well blocked by Danny Bracken the ball fell to Pat Harding who couldn’t miss at the far post.
The visitors pressing was causing Casuals problems who for the first half hour struggled to get out of their half or even retain the ball for any amount of time. Lee Harding went close to doubling the lead after 29 minutes but following a ball over the top the strikers looping effort was just wide of the goal.
As the half went on Casuals gradually improved but as with Saturday, found the final ball severely lacking. The home sides first effort on goal came in the 37th minute where Dave Hodges left wing cross was knocked by Carl Wilson-Denis into the path of Reece Placid but the young forwards volleyed effort was deflected just wide by the covering defender.
Joe Hicks who had risen to the challenge all evening so far in his defensive duties attempted to get things improving at the other end as he went on a lung busting 60 yard run but on this occasion Juevan Spencer out wide fluffed his cross.
Into the second half and within 5 minutes Matt Howard was forced into his first change; Danny Green who was booked in the first half was penalised for a shoulder barge on the far touchline with the visiting players and fans insisting to the match officials it should be a red. After a stern talking to from the man in the middle to both Green and Hicks, the sensible option was taken and Max Austin introduced for the full back.
With the Casuals shape now changed Spencer over on the left started to find space and after skipping past the sizeable frame of Andy Pearson he squared the ball for Wilson-Denis who saw his shot charged down. Pearson was inches away from his sides second in the 65th minute when he met a corner but his header was narrowly over the bar.
The home side were now very much coming into the match and Lee Hall did well with 20 minutes remaining to work himself some space down the left and force keeper Josh James into his first save of the evening down low at his near post
The next few minutes saw Casuals press on as they sensed their opponents were happy to sit back. Both Gill and Placid had superb crosses well defended but in the 77th minute they were finally rewarded; A throw on the left midway in Burgess Hill’s half appeared to present no danger to a defence that had only conceded 31 in the league…the best in all 3 Ryman divisions. However Max Austin sensing the opportunity, arrived before Will Miles and in on goal saw his effort slide past James but onto the post. Thankfully the ball rebounded back into the path of the young striker who had the presence of mind to follow up his original effort and he finished home into the empty net to bring the scores level.
The final 10 minutes saw an open affair as both sides pushed for a winner. Reece Placid firing well wide after a mazy run which drew the attentions of 3 defenders.
At the other end substitute Spencer Slaughter had a glorious chance to send his side onto the 100-point mark. After being chipped in by Pat Harding the striker did well to bring the ball under control but amazingly failed to find the target from 8 yards out.
Into stoppage time and there was still time for Spencer to once again have the chance to win the game but this time he fired over from 12 yards and Casuals became only the 5th side this season to deny the champions elect maximum points on their travels.
“I thought we were unfortunate to be 1-0 down at half time. But that’s why Burgess Hill are top of the league - they get results. They’re on 98 points and we’ve got 50. Is the gap between the teams 48 points? I don’t think it is, although the league table doesn’t lie. But when we played them earlier in the season, we only lost 2-1, with the winner being an own goal. Over the two games, I don’t think there’s been a lot in it.
“They’re the best side in the league by far. They’re 17 points clear at the top. They’re consistent week in, week out. Ian (Chapman –Hill’s Manager) has put a great squad together and their desire to want to win is phenomenal.
“Saying that, I thought our boys matched them tonight. Second half, we’ve drawn level and do we come in at full time disappointed? Yeah – I think we do. Had either side won it, I think it would’ve been cruel. The standards we’ve set ourselves, the lads are a little disappointed that we haven’t beaten them.
“Max Austin is hungry, he want’s to learn and is keen. He probably should have put away the first chance but he showed the desire to follow it up and score. He didn’t give up and that’s what’s so commendable about him.”
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