Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 Lewes
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 1st February 2020
Photos from the match can be seen here
A sublime Ben Cheklit strike ten minutes from time was enough to lift Corinthian-Casuals out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.
Whilst fellow strugglers Merstham and Wingate & Finchley both won, and Brightlingsea picking up a point, the win was enough to lift Casuals two places, into 19th with a very favourable goal difference and games in hand.
Incidentally, the result drags opponents Lewes into the dogfight as Casuals close within four points. The Rooks have struggled to pick up any momentum and remarkably, have won only once at their Dripping Pan home this campaign. Ironically, that was against Casuals – a cagey 1-0 win secured in the last ten minutes. Ring any bells?
There was more parity with the corresponding fixture earlier in the season; this wasn’t a classic either. Lewes have struggled to score recently, with just two goals in the last six league matches (as well as a 1-0 loss to Peacehaven in the Sussex Cup). In contrast, Casuals form has been much better and a gritty 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Bognor in the week would’ve surely boosted morale.
Lewes nearly rectified their goal drought in the very first minute, with Harry Reed’s cross narrowly avoided Tony Mendy. Early goals have haunted Casuals across the first half of the season, but this is one area that Manager James Bracken and his coaching team have worked hard upon to rectify. And with effective results too – Corinth haven’t conceded in the first half hour since the 12th November.
That run continued as either side rarely threatened their opponent’s goal. Gabriel Odunaike headed narrowly wide from a corner and Casuals captain Danny Bracken was only really called into action from set pieces.
Corinth had more of a spark about them in the second half enjoying the lion’s share of possession. Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke was certainly the busier of the two keepers. Despite this, Lewes had the best chance to score when Billy Medlock weaved between defenders only to blaze his shot well over.
Almost immediately, Casuals capitalised. It was a moment of divine interplay that finally broke the deadlock. Out on the wing, Kev Serbony dropped two Lewes markers with a cheeky backheel to Hakeem Adelakun. His cross found Ben Cheklit on the edge of the box and without hesitation, curled a beauty of a shot into the top corner, leaving Stroomberg-Clarke rooted.
The Lewes keeper was a little fortunate to remain on the field moments after, when he handled the ball outside of his area, denying Odunaike a chance to intercept. A yellow issued. Casuals were able to see out the rest of the match with Bracken being alert to a low cross that could’ve caused problems. The full time whistle marked the Amateur’s fourth win (with a draw) in eight games and Bracken almost certainly looking up the table.
Neither game against Lewes this season will go down as a classic, but for the majority of the 278 in attendance, they won’t care. They witnessed a side that once again battled hard, gave everything and topped it off with a sublime goal. They’ll also keep an eye on Lewes’ next league match – against Cheshunt, which after this result, has become a proverbial ‘six-pointer’ that could yet shape the relegation battle once again. In the meantime, Casuals have a break from league pressures as they host Burgess Hill Town in the Velocity Trophy on Tuesday night.
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 1st February 2020
Photos from the match can be seen here
A sublime Ben Cheklit strike ten minutes from time was enough to lift Corinthian-Casuals out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.
Whilst fellow strugglers Merstham and Wingate & Finchley both won, and Brightlingsea picking up a point, the win was enough to lift Casuals two places, into 19th with a very favourable goal difference and games in hand.
Incidentally, the result drags opponents Lewes into the dogfight as Casuals close within four points. The Rooks have struggled to pick up any momentum and remarkably, have won only once at their Dripping Pan home this campaign. Ironically, that was against Casuals – a cagey 1-0 win secured in the last ten minutes. Ring any bells?
There was more parity with the corresponding fixture earlier in the season; this wasn’t a classic either. Lewes have struggled to score recently, with just two goals in the last six league matches (as well as a 1-0 loss to Peacehaven in the Sussex Cup). In contrast, Casuals form has been much better and a gritty 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Bognor in the week would’ve surely boosted morale.
Lewes nearly rectified their goal drought in the very first minute, with Harry Reed’s cross narrowly avoided Tony Mendy. Early goals have haunted Casuals across the first half of the season, but this is one area that Manager James Bracken and his coaching team have worked hard upon to rectify. And with effective results too – Corinth haven’t conceded in the first half hour since the 12th November.
That run continued as either side rarely threatened their opponent’s goal. Gabriel Odunaike headed narrowly wide from a corner and Casuals captain Danny Bracken was only really called into action from set pieces.
Corinth had more of a spark about them in the second half enjoying the lion’s share of possession. Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke was certainly the busier of the two keepers. Despite this, Lewes had the best chance to score when Billy Medlock weaved between defenders only to blaze his shot well over.
Almost immediately, Casuals capitalised. It was a moment of divine interplay that finally broke the deadlock. Out on the wing, Kev Serbony dropped two Lewes markers with a cheeky backheel to Hakeem Adelakun. His cross found Ben Cheklit on the edge of the box and without hesitation, curled a beauty of a shot into the top corner, leaving Stroomberg-Clarke rooted.
The Lewes keeper was a little fortunate to remain on the field moments after, when he handled the ball outside of his area, denying Odunaike a chance to intercept. A yellow issued. Casuals were able to see out the rest of the match with Bracken being alert to a low cross that could’ve caused problems. The full time whistle marked the Amateur’s fourth win (with a draw) in eight games and Bracken almost certainly looking up the table.
Neither game against Lewes this season will go down as a classic, but for the majority of the 278 in attendance, they won’t care. They witnessed a side that once again battled hard, gave everything and topped it off with a sublime goal. They’ll also keep an eye on Lewes’ next league match – against Cheshunt, which after this result, has become a proverbial ‘six-pointer’ that could yet shape the relegation battle once again. In the meantime, Casuals have a break from league pressures as they host Burgess Hill Town in the Velocity Trophy on Tuesday night.
RSS Feed