Casuals Just a Tad Unlucky

Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 Tadley Calleva
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Tuesday 22 October 2024
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals were a whisker away from rescuing a remarkable last-gasp point, but Tadley Calleva held out to triumph in a game of two halves.

Casuals sought to light up a dim Tuesday night with back-to-back home wins for the first time this season, having narrowly defeated Abbey Rangers 2-1 on Saturday. That victory had been The Late Late Show starring match-winner Shea Cascoe-Rogers, who found the decisive finish in the final minute of the 90.

A rallied second-half performance from all in Pink and Chocolate proved to be the thorn in Abbey’s side, and Mu Maan’s squadron required the same again if they were to take points from a well-organised Tadley Calleva, thriving in the early stages of this season.

It had all the ingredients to be a fast-paced Tuesday night encounter, yet time stood still when a whipped Tadley outswinger fooled everyone in the six-yard box except Jonathon Gjoshe, who seized the chance to clear into opposition territory. Early warning signs for the hosts.

Returning ‘keeper Sami Nabbad is a vocal and a physical presence in between the Casuals posts, but he was almost caught off his line by Alex Miller, whose speculative effort from 40 yards bounced just wide of Nabbad’s right post.

Many of the 163 in attendance were impressed by the quick feet and directness of debutant loanee Denis Travin, and he shone down the right-hand channel on a crisp autumnal night, cutting in and unleashing several efforts, however none had enough venom to beat the highly-rated Craig Atkinson in the Romans net.

Just as Casuals thought they might get into the break unscathed, Marcos dos Santos clipped the ankles of Kieran Rogers, perhaps unintentionally, but the referee didn’t see it that way. The winger got to his feet and kept his composure from 12 yards, placing his penalty dead-centre of Nabbad’s goal.

If Maan’s side were to gain anything from this, they would have to overthrow the Romans in some style, as a few spells of tight-knit tiki taka weren’t enough to break down the visitors.

It was a quiet introduction to the second 45, with not much to show from it except a couple of Diogo da Silva half chances at goal. As the time ticked on, Casuals were made to pay again. Sheldon Wright charged down an uncharacteristic Nabbad scuffed clearance on the hour mark, and skipper Jack French found an empty net with laser accuracy to send the visitors into ecstasy.

Although the fortunes had favoured the away side so far, Corinthian-Casuals were about to cash in on their own stroke of luck. To the cries of “Come on Casuals!”, a Ben Cheklit corner found its way to Gjoshe whose drive did enough to deceive the sturdy Tadley defence, and Kieron Cadogan got the final touch to get the home faithful believing, once again.

The Armada Group Stadium held its breath as we approached the final 10, and chance after chance left Casuals players with heads in hands and continuous bellows of support from the stands. A defensive mix-up landed at the feet of the man that you’d want it to – Cadogan – but he could only fire his volley into the abyss.

After a series of tactical yet theatrical time-wasting from the visitors, it was a case of now or never if Corinth wanted to rescue a point. The final chance fell to Cadogan, who, despite his physical presence, danced daintily around Calleva bodies, and forced a save of the highest calibre from Atkinson. The keeper turned around to look the Casuals fans dead in the eye - knowing he’d preserved the win for his side.

Corinthian-Casuals: Nabbad, Gjoshe, Holmes Dennis (Masikini 15), M Dos Santos (Barbosa 60), Kellett-Smith, Morgan (Adelakun 81), Travin (Brown 54), Cheklit, Cadogan, Da Silva, Cascoe-Rogers (J Dos Santos 70)