Corinthian-Casuals 3 - 1 Wingate & Finchley
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 13th April 2019
Report: Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Majed Osman’s brilliantly taken brace complimented an acrobatic screamer from Warren Mfula during Corinthian-Casuals’ comfortable 3-1 victory over Wingate and Finchley, which added three more points to the hunt for safety in the Bostik Premier Division.
Emotions were high at the premature final whistle last week in West Sussex, for both travelling supporters, players and staff. James Bracken let loose in the post-match interview, and rightly so. The refereeing decisions that cost three vital points for Casuals were laughable in hindsight as the pink and brown army had another essential game they needed to win- Wingate and Finchley FC were coming to Tolworth.
Just one position below Casuals, the North Londoners had the same desire as the hosts- the desire to maintain Bostik Premier status. Bracken made one change from last week’s spirited performance as Spencer switched from right midfield to right back for the suspended Morgan whilst Kevant Serbony was on the wing.
The temperamental British weather was certainly showing off on the Saturday afternoon at King George’s with a pre-match lashing of rain and hailstones before slightly brightening up for a cold first-half. As far as attacking went, the first half was brilliant for Casuals, with Rudoni and Antonio linking up with Osman and Mfula extremely well. In the 14th minute, there was a free-kick for Casuals and the usual taker Coskun Ekim aimed to curl it so it would land on Reece Hannigan’s head. The ball flew towards the no.5, but was cleared by Wingate’s Cronin before falling to Osman on the edge of the box. Controlling and edging closer, the little magician powered the ball towards goal and it ended up rippling the net following a slight deflection. An early goal is not something Casuals are used to, but it was greeted with warmth from behind the goal. Osman had put Casuals 1-0 up!
Form might have dipped after the goal plummeted in and the home side were given the dangerous luxury of a one-goal lead. Scrapping for the ball and closing down hard, Corinthians were under pressure from the Blues. This pressure was sustained, but Casuals’ rock-hard defence were not going to go down lightly. A second goal was what Bracken wanted before the first 45 ended, and the players knew it. Antonio found himself on the right flank when he crossed for Mfula in the area. With his back to goal and the ball in the air, it would seem futile to try and touch the ball and play backwards, as would kicking aimlessly. Positioning his body and jumping like a gazelle, Mfula sliced the ball into the back of the net whilst in the air and not even looking at goal. A wonderful scissor strike from the prolific striker gave Casuals two goals to go into the second-half with.
The hail was forgotten when teams walked out for the second half as any sign of wind or cold disappeared ahead of sun, sun and sun. A thirty minute period after the second half kicked off offered hope for Wingate and Finchley. Complacency is not the word to use when describing Casuals, it was still very concentrated and involved.
Lacklustre overall, the binding midfield and strong defence is what kept Casuals from conceding… until Anthony Mendy tucked the ball past Danny Bracken, removing his clean sheet. It was inevitable and it was at the perfect time. The 72nd minute allowed enough time for another one from Wingate, so they could equalise or even complete a comeback. Majed Osman had other ideas.
Hamilton Antonio had another fantastic game. Example of his class? His assist for the third. The tricky midfielder intelligently latched onto a poor ball played out by Wingate’s right-back and paced forwards. Antonio played it to Osman. Taking it in his stride, the no.11 was allowed time to compose himself before placing the ball with enough power for it to nestle brilliantly in the top corner. Past the helpless Gore in goal, Osman’s terrific strike was relief for everyone, particularly the frustrated
Mfula, who dropped to his knees and punched the air when the third goal was secured. Wheeling away ecstatically, Osman celebrated with players and fans as Casuals had sealed the deal only two minutes after conceding. That just demonstrates the real team spirit James Bracken has established.
The final fifteen were quiet as Antonio and Ekim bossed the midfield, Majed Osman nearly grabbed a hat-trick when he went for goal himself instead of playing in sub Dillon, but it was cleared.
Full-time meant Casuals had won and achieved three points for their Bostik Premier campaign; we wish Wingate and Finchley the best for the rest of the season. Osman’s genius and Mfula’s 19th goal was the difference between the two sides, as well as the whole team’s effort to bounce back. Three games remain for the pink and brown army… can Casuals create some momentum and go to Potters Bar Town and win next Saturday?
Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree after the final whistle.
"We’re not playing for safety. We haven’t been for a while. We’re playing to finish above Kingstonian. We’ve talked about winning that ‘mini league’ which we’re in with a shout of doing.
"Of course, we’re aware that we could not afford to lose games on the chance that those below us may pick up points. The closest we’ve been to that drop zone in recent months is five points, so it’s never been a case that we would find ourselves slipping into it.
"We’ve lost just one in the last four now, and even that defeat should’ve been a win. Disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet against Wingate, but we’re not conceding many right now so we’re doing just fine.
"Majed has hit two good finishes along with Warren’s overhead kick, following great build up play. All three goals were well taken. That’s what we’ve not done enough of this season. We’ve missed a lot of chances over the course of the year. Today, I don’t recall us missing a great chance. Some days you go away wondering how you haven’t scored five or six. Against Wingate, we’ve scored from those good chances. It makes for much more comfortable viewing from the touchline than usual.
"We’re still going out to win our remaining games, finish above Kingstonian and give the fans something to cheer. They’ve backed us all season, especially in some tough periods where we haven’t got the results. They see the effort and commitment is there and continue to get behind the team.
"The target is nine points from the remaining three games. Worthing here on Monday will be tough. They play on the Friday and we’re a day later. Potter’s Bar’s pitch is unforgiving, and we haven’t got a big squad. We had seven or eight missing again today, so we don’t have a massive amount of freshness coming in between Saturday and Monday.
"Having an extra 24 hours rest for Worthing will make a massive difference. I’m not making excuses because we’ll still get out there and give it the best we’ve got. But if we come up light in the tank, I’m already mentally prepared myself to deal with it, because I understand these boys aren’t robots.
"Two games in three days at the end of a long old season makes zero sense. We wanted to switch to the Friday ourselves but unfortunately Potters Bar had too many players unavailable.
"If we get out there and play as we can, we’ll get a win, and hopefully finish the season at Whitehawk 100% safe. Whether they need something from the game or not is irrelevant; we won’t be doing them, nor anyone else any favours. We’ll try to win a game of football as we always do."
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 13th April 2019
Report: Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Majed Osman’s brilliantly taken brace complimented an acrobatic screamer from Warren Mfula during Corinthian-Casuals’ comfortable 3-1 victory over Wingate and Finchley, which added three more points to the hunt for safety in the Bostik Premier Division.
Emotions were high at the premature final whistle last week in West Sussex, for both travelling supporters, players and staff. James Bracken let loose in the post-match interview, and rightly so. The refereeing decisions that cost three vital points for Casuals were laughable in hindsight as the pink and brown army had another essential game they needed to win- Wingate and Finchley FC were coming to Tolworth.
Just one position below Casuals, the North Londoners had the same desire as the hosts- the desire to maintain Bostik Premier status. Bracken made one change from last week’s spirited performance as Spencer switched from right midfield to right back for the suspended Morgan whilst Kevant Serbony was on the wing.
The temperamental British weather was certainly showing off on the Saturday afternoon at King George’s with a pre-match lashing of rain and hailstones before slightly brightening up for a cold first-half. As far as attacking went, the first half was brilliant for Casuals, with Rudoni and Antonio linking up with Osman and Mfula extremely well. In the 14th minute, there was a free-kick for Casuals and the usual taker Coskun Ekim aimed to curl it so it would land on Reece Hannigan’s head. The ball flew towards the no.5, but was cleared by Wingate’s Cronin before falling to Osman on the edge of the box. Controlling and edging closer, the little magician powered the ball towards goal and it ended up rippling the net following a slight deflection. An early goal is not something Casuals are used to, but it was greeted with warmth from behind the goal. Osman had put Casuals 1-0 up!
Form might have dipped after the goal plummeted in and the home side were given the dangerous luxury of a one-goal lead. Scrapping for the ball and closing down hard, Corinthians were under pressure from the Blues. This pressure was sustained, but Casuals’ rock-hard defence were not going to go down lightly. A second goal was what Bracken wanted before the first 45 ended, and the players knew it. Antonio found himself on the right flank when he crossed for Mfula in the area. With his back to goal and the ball in the air, it would seem futile to try and touch the ball and play backwards, as would kicking aimlessly. Positioning his body and jumping like a gazelle, Mfula sliced the ball into the back of the net whilst in the air and not even looking at goal. A wonderful scissor strike from the prolific striker gave Casuals two goals to go into the second-half with.
The hail was forgotten when teams walked out for the second half as any sign of wind or cold disappeared ahead of sun, sun and sun. A thirty minute period after the second half kicked off offered hope for Wingate and Finchley. Complacency is not the word to use when describing Casuals, it was still very concentrated and involved.
Lacklustre overall, the binding midfield and strong defence is what kept Casuals from conceding… until Anthony Mendy tucked the ball past Danny Bracken, removing his clean sheet. It was inevitable and it was at the perfect time. The 72nd minute allowed enough time for another one from Wingate, so they could equalise or even complete a comeback. Majed Osman had other ideas.
Hamilton Antonio had another fantastic game. Example of his class? His assist for the third. The tricky midfielder intelligently latched onto a poor ball played out by Wingate’s right-back and paced forwards. Antonio played it to Osman. Taking it in his stride, the no.11 was allowed time to compose himself before placing the ball with enough power for it to nestle brilliantly in the top corner. Past the helpless Gore in goal, Osman’s terrific strike was relief for everyone, particularly the frustrated
Mfula, who dropped to his knees and punched the air when the third goal was secured. Wheeling away ecstatically, Osman celebrated with players and fans as Casuals had sealed the deal only two minutes after conceding. That just demonstrates the real team spirit James Bracken has established.
The final fifteen were quiet as Antonio and Ekim bossed the midfield, Majed Osman nearly grabbed a hat-trick when he went for goal himself instead of playing in sub Dillon, but it was cleared.
Full-time meant Casuals had won and achieved three points for their Bostik Premier campaign; we wish Wingate and Finchley the best for the rest of the season. Osman’s genius and Mfula’s 19th goal was the difference between the two sides, as well as the whole team’s effort to bounce back. Three games remain for the pink and brown army… can Casuals create some momentum and go to Potters Bar Town and win next Saturday?
Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree after the final whistle.
"We’re not playing for safety. We haven’t been for a while. We’re playing to finish above Kingstonian. We’ve talked about winning that ‘mini league’ which we’re in with a shout of doing.
"Of course, we’re aware that we could not afford to lose games on the chance that those below us may pick up points. The closest we’ve been to that drop zone in recent months is five points, so it’s never been a case that we would find ourselves slipping into it.
"We’ve lost just one in the last four now, and even that defeat should’ve been a win. Disappointed not to have kept a clean sheet against Wingate, but we’re not conceding many right now so we’re doing just fine.
"Majed has hit two good finishes along with Warren’s overhead kick, following great build up play. All three goals were well taken. That’s what we’ve not done enough of this season. We’ve missed a lot of chances over the course of the year. Today, I don’t recall us missing a great chance. Some days you go away wondering how you haven’t scored five or six. Against Wingate, we’ve scored from those good chances. It makes for much more comfortable viewing from the touchline than usual.
"We’re still going out to win our remaining games, finish above Kingstonian and give the fans something to cheer. They’ve backed us all season, especially in some tough periods where we haven’t got the results. They see the effort and commitment is there and continue to get behind the team.
"The target is nine points from the remaining three games. Worthing here on Monday will be tough. They play on the Friday and we’re a day later. Potter’s Bar’s pitch is unforgiving, and we haven’t got a big squad. We had seven or eight missing again today, so we don’t have a massive amount of freshness coming in between Saturday and Monday.
"Having an extra 24 hours rest for Worthing will make a massive difference. I’m not making excuses because we’ll still get out there and give it the best we’ve got. But if we come up light in the tank, I’m already mentally prepared myself to deal with it, because I understand these boys aren’t robots.
"Two games in three days at the end of a long old season makes zero sense. We wanted to switch to the Friday ourselves but unfortunately Potters Bar had too many players unavailable.
"If we get out there and play as we can, we’ll get a win, and hopefully finish the season at Whitehawk 100% safe. Whether they need something from the game or not is irrelevant; we won’t be doing them, nor anyone else any favours. We’ll try to win a game of football as we always do."
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