Bay Broken by Late Okojie Strike

​Herne Bay 0 – 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 20th February 2016
Winch’s Field
Attendance: 172
Match report: Stuart Tree. Images: Tony Fowles (full set here)
 
Corinthian-Casuals made it three wins out of four in the Ryman League Division One South after performing a smash and grab raid of all three points at playoff rivals Herne Bay.
 
Shaun Okojie’s 80th minute winner was the only goal to separate the sides and now means James Bracken’s Casuals are just one point outside the playoff places with eleven games to go.
 
Just two weeks ago, Bracken had offered a challenge to his players; win ten of the remaining fifteen fixtures. Since then, Corinth have defeated Guernsey, Chatham Town and now Herne Bay, with a shock 1-0 defeat against Walton Casuals being the only blip.
 
The result at the weekend was also the third clean sheet in four matches which has seen the Tolworth-based side score six and concede just one in that period.
 
Bracken gave the recently returning James Cottee his first start since re-joining in an otherwise unchanged line-up to that which succumbed to defeat against Walton Casuals in the week.
 
Goalkeeper Danny Bracken, who’s been in inspired form of late was once again in the thick of the action after Sam Hasler’s 14th minute strike was well matched. Just ten minutes later, Bracken thwarted the striker once again, tipping his well hit effort over the bar.
 
Early in the second half, Hasler was once again involved in the action after his penalty shout was turned away by Referee Mr Saul Kay. Bay were furious and the game quickly descended into a scrappy affair, with five bookings between the sides.
 
Then on 80 minutes came the decisive blow; a break down the left wing resulted in a cross which was met by Okojie at the near post, beating his defender and slotting home.
 
Casuals were able to hold on for the narrow win and leaves Sam Denly wondering where his side’s next goal is coming from having fired blanks in their past five matches.
 
Corinthian-Casuals host South Park on Saturday.

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