Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup
Tuesday 15 October 2024
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn
Upon returning to English soil from Jersey, Corinthian-Casuals tasted bitter defeat in the first round of the Cherry Red Records Premier Challenge Cup.
Having suffered at the hands of Cobham in the league just 10 days prior, Casuals arrived for the first-round tie seeking to avenge that 4-1 defeat, a game which saw a free-flowing Hammers side cruise to victory from minute one.
Though we haven’t tasted victory since that defeat, manager Mu Maan was quick to praise an encouraging display at Knaphill last week which saw the side earn a hard-fought point, before leaving the Channel Islands empty handed thanks to two very fortunate goals for the hosts.
Despite an even start in Cobham, which saw both sides play some attractive spells of football, the home side took advantage of a Corinthian side stuck in the habit of conceding the opener. Casuals fans were haunted by their ex-striker Elijah Simpson a week and a half ago, and he was back on the scoresheet again after gliding around Murillo Bernardes and keeping a level head in front of goal. Another early setback for the visitors.
Simpson continued to be a thorn in his former club’s side, but perhaps he’ll be kicking himself for missing in front of a near-empty net after a darting run down the right flank from Reis Stanislaus caught the makeshift Casuals back line in no man’s land.
The Hammers went into the break with the upper hand, but after some bizarre circumstances, it could’ve been more. After placing the ball on the ground to kick it, Bernardes proceeded to handle the ball again, forgetting that it wasn’t a free-kick situation. The assistant referee immediately flagged the infringement, and the Casuals goalkeeper stepped way from the ball before the referee had actually whistled for the indirect free-kick that would have ensued. In the midst of the confusion, Simpson used the opportunity to roll the ball into an empty goal. The referee indicated a goal but was urged to consult his assistant by the incensed Casuals players, and eventually an indirect free-kick inside the area was awarded. It was eventually blocked by one of the many Casuals bodies, but a strange passage of play left the spectators in the main stand deep in conversation about what had actually just happened.
Following an underwhelming first period, it was imperative for Corinthian-Casuals to start the second on the front foot, and they did exactly that. The return of South American duo Diogo Da Silva and Raf Barbosa was a huge boost for the side, and it was the latter who created the opportunity for Jerson dos Santos to get his team back on level terms.
There’s no doubt that some travelling fans would’ve got déjà vu from the trip to Met Police last time we were in cup action, as Casuals went a man down once again. This time, last man Ryan Green was penalised for tripping Simpson on the outskirts of the area, meaning he’ll miss league duties on Saturday.
From the resulting free-kick, Cobham No10, Derick Hayford, found the bottom right-hand corner with aplomb, and the hosts held the cards once again in the Surrey rain.
In the end, the game was decided when Casuals’ skipper, Hakeem Adelakun was caught in possession on the halfway line just as the away side looked to rekindle their hopes for a place in the second round, and Stanislaus sealed it in style, showing a touch of finesse to round Bernardes and send Cobham through.
Corinthian-Casuals: Bernardes, Gjoshe, Adelakun, M Dos Santos, Green, Morgan, Osunkoya (Ndah 67), Barbosa (Ewerthon 67), Da Silva (Cascoe-Rogers 79), Masikini (Dillon 73), J Dos Santos (Cadogan 73)