Corinthian-Casuals 0-3 Merstham
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 13th April
Report by Darren Pasley
Casuals were blown away by a superb second half display as play-off certainties Merstham showed their class at King Georges Arena.
Jason Turley made a rare start for Casuals whilst George Peterkin replaced Jake Downs who was injured during the warm up to make his full debut.
On the hottest day of the year so far Taurean Roberts set about creating the game’s first chance weaving at the Casuals backline before dragging his left footed shot well wide of the target.
The home side were at ease popping the ball around on the pristine surface but it was the visitors who again threatened in the 8th minute when following a corner Dean Gunner’s shot was blocked by his own player with the ball heading towards Brackens goal.
Casuals first effort came in the 12th minute when Juevan Spencer won the ball off Gunner and after jinking to the edge of the box found Dave Hodges who shot straight at Brannon Daly.
Gunner was at the thick of the action having another shot which this found its way to Bracken before once again leaving his side in trouble when having lost the ball this time to Maz Bettache, had to rely on Kalvin Morath-Gibbs to wipe out the young midfielder. He was subsequently booked for his troubles. From the resulting free kick Bettache saw his effort superbly tipped away by the flying Daly low down to his right.
Whilst the visitors looked more likely in the final third the home side themselves were on song with their passing and Bettache pivotal to some of the fine movement.
Half an hour in he showed great feet on the touchline to evade the attentions of two opponents before clipping over a lovely left footed pass which set Jamie Byatt in on goal. Charging towards the onrushing Daly, Byatt and covering defender Marc Okoye came together with the latter knocking the ball past his own keeper. However he managed to recover and hook the ball away just inches from the line.
With 5 minutes remaining of the half Merstham came close to scoring twice in as many minutes.
Firstly after receiving a threaded pass from Taurean Roberts, Tommy Hutchings smacked the base of the post with a first time left footed drive. Then from a corner Tutu Henriques had a header from inside the 6 yard box miraculously clung onto by Danny Bracken when it appeared the ball was behind him.
Juevan Spencer had one final chance as the half ended but from a long throw he volleyed well over after the ball fell invitingly.
Any thoughts that the home side had of keeping their opponents at bay during the next 45 minutes where quashed 40 seconds after the restart.
Roberts running free down the right and crossing for Tommy Hutchings to volley home from 8 yards.
The lead was doubled 5 minutes later when Aaron Rhule was allowed to work his way to the byline down the left and after Bracken cut out the cross the ball fell to Reece Hall who finished at the second time of asking.
The pressure from the visitors was relentless and the captain Fabio Saraiva was inches away with a free kick as his side looked to finish the contest.
Bettache had a free kick of his own once again kept out by Daly but it was one of only a few chances the home side created during the second half.
In the 68th minute the visitors hit the decisive third and after Saraiva and Okoye combined well Roberts was released down the middle and after checking inside fired past Bracken.
Juevan Spencer had Casuals best chance with 8 minutes remaining but he volleyed wide from inside the area despite being in plenty of space. At the other end Bracken was on hand to deny substitute Omar Folkes but Bracken was on hand to save with his feet.
The win strengthened Merstham’s position in 4th place which could prove vital once the playoff's get underway.
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 13th April
Report by Darren Pasley
Casuals were blown away by a superb second half display as play-off certainties Merstham showed their class at King Georges Arena.
Jason Turley made a rare start for Casuals whilst George Peterkin replaced Jake Downs who was injured during the warm up to make his full debut.
On the hottest day of the year so far Taurean Roberts set about creating the game’s first chance weaving at the Casuals backline before dragging his left footed shot well wide of the target.
The home side were at ease popping the ball around on the pristine surface but it was the visitors who again threatened in the 8th minute when following a corner Dean Gunner’s shot was blocked by his own player with the ball heading towards Brackens goal.
Casuals first effort came in the 12th minute when Juevan Spencer won the ball off Gunner and after jinking to the edge of the box found Dave Hodges who shot straight at Brannon Daly.
Gunner was at the thick of the action having another shot which this found its way to Bracken before once again leaving his side in trouble when having lost the ball this time to Maz Bettache, had to rely on Kalvin Morath-Gibbs to wipe out the young midfielder. He was subsequently booked for his troubles. From the resulting free kick Bettache saw his effort superbly tipped away by the flying Daly low down to his right.
Whilst the visitors looked more likely in the final third the home side themselves were on song with their passing and Bettache pivotal to some of the fine movement.
Half an hour in he showed great feet on the touchline to evade the attentions of two opponents before clipping over a lovely left footed pass which set Jamie Byatt in on goal. Charging towards the onrushing Daly, Byatt and covering defender Marc Okoye came together with the latter knocking the ball past his own keeper. However he managed to recover and hook the ball away just inches from the line.
With 5 minutes remaining of the half Merstham came close to scoring twice in as many minutes.
Firstly after receiving a threaded pass from Taurean Roberts, Tommy Hutchings smacked the base of the post with a first time left footed drive. Then from a corner Tutu Henriques had a header from inside the 6 yard box miraculously clung onto by Danny Bracken when it appeared the ball was behind him.
Juevan Spencer had one final chance as the half ended but from a long throw he volleyed well over after the ball fell invitingly.
Any thoughts that the home side had of keeping their opponents at bay during the next 45 minutes where quashed 40 seconds after the restart.
Roberts running free down the right and crossing for Tommy Hutchings to volley home from 8 yards.
The lead was doubled 5 minutes later when Aaron Rhule was allowed to work his way to the byline down the left and after Bracken cut out the cross the ball fell to Reece Hall who finished at the second time of asking.
The pressure from the visitors was relentless and the captain Fabio Saraiva was inches away with a free kick as his side looked to finish the contest.
Bettache had a free kick of his own once again kept out by Daly but it was one of only a few chances the home side created during the second half.
In the 68th minute the visitors hit the decisive third and after Saraiva and Okoye combined well Roberts was released down the middle and after checking inside fired past Bracken.
Juevan Spencer had Casuals best chance with 8 minutes remaining but he volleyed wide from inside the area despite being in plenty of space. At the other end Bracken was on hand to deny substitute Omar Folkes but Bracken was on hand to save with his feet.
The win strengthened Merstham’s position in 4th place which could prove vital once the playoff's get underway.
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