Casuals’ Christmas Cheer

Corinthian-Casuals 2-0 Greenwich Borough
Ryman Division One South
Saturday 17th December 2016
Match Report Cameron Smith. Photos Stuart Tree (Full set here)

Corinthian Casuals leapt to third place in Ryman Division One South following an
incredible performance versus fellow promotion-hunters Greenwich Borough in
which goals from Shaun Okojie and Danny Dudley secured three crucial points- the
perfect Christmas present!

Crashing out of the Alan Turvey Trophy in midweek, James Bracken’s experimentally
youthful side were defeated by superior Merstham despite crawling back into the game on
two occasions. Jordan Clarke’s equaliser and Callum McAllister’s pile-driver were not
enough as three goals in quick succession from the dangerous away side saw Casuals
lose 5-2, leave the competition and fail to advance into the next round.

Fifth in the league, Corinthians had the chance to better their current position in the league
with a victory against Greenwich Borough, who were in third place. Three points from
Greenwich and a Carshalton loss would deliver Casuals the ideal gift- third place. Visitors
to King George’s on a mild Saturday afternoon were Greenwich Borough, who had
recently succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Whyteleafe, endangering their position in the play-offs.
Casuals fielded a full-strength starting XI with only three players keeping their place. The
two beloved Joshes (Gallagher and Uzun) started in midfield alongside Mahrez Bettache
whilst Okojie, Byatt and Clarke were in the attack. Trusty Danny Bracken returned to guard
Casuals’ net after a rare absence with Spencer, Dudley, Murray and Hodges the defensive
combination.

Combatting the chocolate and pink of Casuals, Greenwich wore a stylish blue away shirt. A
notable name on the away side’s team-sheet was Billy Dunn, a seasoned attacker who
has represented the likes of Tooting, Horsham and Carshalton. With a merry atmosphere
(created by the Christmas Fayre at King George’s) the hearty 412 spectators flocked to
their positions; the game commenced.

The first eighteen minutes were fascinating and set the tone for the rest of the game. As
predicted, it was high-tempo from the off with Danny Bracken called into action in the
seventh minute; parrying a close range effort with his legs. Corinthians also threatened the
pink shirt of Craig Holloway- Greenwich’s keeper. Danny Dudley’s header was swallowed
easily by Holloway before another Casuals set-piece was collected. In the eighteenth
minute, a Casuals attack was quickly thwarted by the strong back four of Greenwich
before the midfield re-generated another opportunity. Greenwich’s no.14 attempted to
distribute the ball to the keeper with a routine back-pass but it was severely misplaced as
Juevan Spencer superbly intercepted. Simply squaring the ball for the predator in the
centre, Spencer’s awareness and Greenwich’s capitulation resulted in Shaun Okojie’s
eighteenth of the season. Casuals drew first blood in the vital encounter that could shape
the campaign for either side.

Greenwich’s Glenn Wilson agonisingly missed from only a few yards after an adventurous
winger delivered a pin-point cross as the Cannons failed to equalise despite overwhelming
possession. At half-time, James Bracken’s side’s composure and attacking edge awarded
them with a 1-0 advantage.

Looking to solidify the scoreline, Casuals’ team-talk certainly worked as four minutes into
the latter 45, they met their aim. Delivering a beautiful cross, Mahrez Bettache enabled
Danny Dudley (who stayed up front after a corner was cleared) to head the ball towards
goal, the looping header beat the keeper and found the back of the net. Practically joining
the terrace in celebrations, Dudley and his merry men changed the score-line, two goals to
nil. Casuals had around forty minutes to hang on.

An incredible save from Danny Bracken denied Wilson from a consolation goal as a
darting cross ensued heroic reflexes from the no.1. Disbelief from both the terraces and
the pitch as the cool Bracken punched the air in celebration. Time ticking, the game’s
tempo took a turn for the worse with possession over-ruling chances. Clarke, who
impressed during the Merstham’s clash, sprinted through on goal and nearly ended the
game completely, if it were not for the defender breathing down his back, a major
distraction. Clarke’s slight touch dribbled wide as cries for a penalty were waved away.
Casuals nicked all three points as the referee blew thrice for full-time.

A remarkably comfortable victory that trumps any other performance this season, Casuals
had defeated a strong Greenwich side. News from Sutton was that ten-man Carshalton
Athletic had lost 3-0 to Hythe Town prompting Casuals move into third! Corinthians march
onto a midweek clash versus AFC Wimbledon at home in the Cup before a knockout
Boxing Day fixture against Walton Casuals.

Wishing all Casuals players, staff and supporters a very Merry Christmas, we’ll see you at
King George’s!

Stuart Tree spoke to James Bracken after the match:
“Seven wins in a row is nice. We did seven in a row at the end of last season and carried it
over to the start of this season to make it ten on the bounce. Maybe that can be the next
little target to aim for.

“That said, every game is hard. We've got Walton Casuals here on Boxing Day.
“It's a big win today. Whether it'll prove to be the biggest win of the season, I don't know
but when we're playing these sides up and around us at the minute, they're six pointers.
It's very unusual for us to be saying that before Christmas but they really are invaluable
wins.

“Results went our way today and we've closed the gap on the leaders with games in hand.
We're putting ourselves in a very strong position. I said this little ten game period was
crucial. We're four games into it with four wins. Let's see where we are after this spell and
see if we're top or still in contention for playoffs. At the minute, with the way we're playing,
we can get the top spot.

“We had periods where we're on the front foot and perhaps could've scored a couple more
in the second half and we've had periods of soaking up pressure. Greenwich had a lot of
the ball without creating any real great chances. The one chance they did have, Danny's
pulled out a world class save.

“When we perform like that and puts in that level of effort, where everyone comes off the
pitch with socks around their ankles and they've had it, you can't single out a solitary man
of the match. That's what being a team is all about. If you're going to win a league, you win
it by being a team. Look at the past. Burgess Hill, Folkestone... everyone who wins plays
as a complete team. At the minute, we're a team.

“Whilst we have good players, there's no standout performers. There's no one in the
changing room that thinks they're better than anyone else within the squad. They
understand that everyone here is trying to achieve the same outcome and we're all on the
same page with that way of thinking.”