Velocity Trophy Preliminary Round
Tuesday 21st August 2018
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (set of pics here)
Corinthian-Casuals progressed to the next round of the Velocity Trophy with a convincing 5-1 win over Bostik South Central side Westfield.
Danny Cunningham and Max Oldham both bagged a brace and Shaun Brown completed the rout despite having to come from behind courtesy of an early Brandon Diau goal.
James Bracken’s side, who reached the semi-final of this competition last year were one of the few teams entering at the preliminary stage this season. Their opponents, Westfield led by Tony Reid – Combined Counties League Champions.
Bracken made a few changes to the side which drew 1-1 against Merstham three days prior. In stepped Jack Tucker and Reece Hannigan at the back for their first starts in the chocolate & pink. Danny Cunningham, Terry Murray and Kevant Serbony all made the starting XI too.
Perhaps the unfamiliarity of the back line was contributory to conceding early, though it has been a common trait this season. Westfield slipped in round the back and Brandon Diau was on hand to dispatch the follow-up.
As the half progressed, Casuals grew into the game and the combination of Cunningham and Oldham were causing Westfield’s rear guard problems. The two combined for the equaliser when Cunningham’s forceful cross was hammered home from close range by Oldham, finding himself tangled in the net in the process.
Casuals made it two on the stroke of half time. Cunningham broke the lines and raced through on goal, calmly slotting past Westfield’s stopper Gary Ross. From here-on, there looked to be only one winner.
Ten minutes after the break, Cunningham grabbed his second of the night. Hakeem Adelakun’s free kick was headed across goal by Hannigan and Cunningham had the simple task of nodding the ball into the net to put daylight between the sides.
The fourth came on 67 minutes when the ball fell to Max Oldham 12 yards out who had no hesitation in blasting it past Ross to seal the tie.
Changes were made and substitute Shaun Brown got in on the scoring act with six minutes remaining.
It was a performance asked of the side by Bracken in a bid to gain momentum heading into the weekend with the FA Cup tie against Croydon and League match versus Kingstonian on the Monday.