Aveley 2 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Isthmian League Premier Division
Monday 29th August 2022
Report: Cameron Smith. Photo: Andy Nunn.
Corinthian-Casuals almost snatched a point in the dying embers of their Bank Holiday trip to Essex, but were agonisingly denied by the woodwork twice as an impressive Aveley side held on to win 2-1 and collect all three points.
Tony Reid rightly remained positive following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Lewes at King George’s Field; Ben Cheklit’s early goal was cancelled out by a late equaliser after sustained pressure from the visitors. It was a physically draining test for the youthful Casuals side, who battled hard versus a relentless opponent and fully deserved the point they received. Inevitably, rotation was in order for the clash at Aveley that came just forty-eight hours after the Lewes game. Casuals made six changes including a start for goalkeeper Eddie Allan, among others.
As Aveley shuffled out in their navy home strip and Casuals donned chocolate and pink, it was a particularly overcast August afternoon in Essex. The newly-promoted Aveley had seemingly no trouble transitioning into Isthmian Premier Division life; winning three out of the four games played so far. They were clearly eager to continue this form as when the referee began proceedings, the hosts were instantly threatening the Casuals defence with silky passages of football as well as from dangerous set-pieces. This is what undid Corinthians in the twenty-fifth minute, when a corner was not cleared properly, resulting in Oscar Shelvey being able to tap the ball home in-front of the Aveley faithful after clever play from Alex Akrofi.
Despite the shaky beginning, Casuals settled by the time the first-half was coming to a close and began to probe the strong back four of Aveley. Nevertheless, the hosts remained the superior side both in possession and in terms of attacking opportunities- Allan was forced to stop an effort from Aileru before half-time arrived.
The travelling Corinthians made their way to the opposite end of the Parkside Stadium as the game resumed and from the off, Casuals looked more assured in their passing and attacking play. However, when Aveley substitute Benas Vaivada delivered a terrific corner into the danger area, centre-back Harry Gibbs rose above his marker and headed home. Seemingly the nail in the coffin for the away side, Aveley had doubled their lead, and there was only twenty-three minutes left to play.
Mirroring the resilience that Casuals showed to hold onto a precious point against Lewes on Saturday, Reid’s side were not going down without a fight. The chocolate and pink seemed rejuvenated by their substitutions: the hold-up play of Nathaniel Pinney and the remarkable pace and skill of Olumwabumni Babajide threatened the hosts’ comfortable lead. Babajide’s burst of energy clearly rattled Aveley’s backline when he pounced on a header intended for goalkeeper Hughes and nudged the ball around the no.1. Although the goal was open, Babajide was at a tight angle and was striding onto the ball with such power that he could only direct his effort onto the post. Even if the youngster was sprawled out on the floor and had his head in his hands at the miss, the Corinthians faithful and his teammates were as supportive as ever and willed him back up onto his feet.
This would be imperative in how the last moments of the game played out. Babajide was no longer ruing his miss and was instead causing havoc for Aveley’s Nzengo by outmuscling him, composing himself with a few vital touches that cleverly drew Hughes out from his goal, before slotting the ball past the stranded keeper and into the bottom corner. In the 87th minute, Casuals had finally nabbed a goal. It was game on.
Casuals were hovering around Aveley’s box for the remainder of the game, trying to conjure the goal that would rescue a hard-earned, and deserved point for the visitors. The Corinth supporters behind the goal, and most likely everyone else at Parkside thought that the goal had arrived when Pinney controlled the ball on the edge of the area, and unleashed a venomous piledriver that nearly broke the underside of the crossbar, before the ball eventually fizzled out of play. It was cruel for the Casuals, and even crueller was Sanogo’s header that narrowly floated over the bar just minutes later. The four minutes of stoppage time were then adjudged to be up, and the referee blew his whistle to the relief of Aveley, and to the frustration of Casuals.
However, there were positives to take from the defeat as a much-improved second-half displayed the determination that is becoming a key trait of Reid’s side. Casuals would look forward to a break from the Isthmian Premier Division; they face Burgess Hill Town in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round on Saturday at King George’s Field.
Isthmian League Premier Division
Monday 29th August 2022
Report: Cameron Smith. Photo: Andy Nunn.
Corinthian-Casuals almost snatched a point in the dying embers of their Bank Holiday trip to Essex, but were agonisingly denied by the woodwork twice as an impressive Aveley side held on to win 2-1 and collect all three points.
Tony Reid rightly remained positive following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Lewes at King George’s Field; Ben Cheklit’s early goal was cancelled out by a late equaliser after sustained pressure from the visitors. It was a physically draining test for the youthful Casuals side, who battled hard versus a relentless opponent and fully deserved the point they received. Inevitably, rotation was in order for the clash at Aveley that came just forty-eight hours after the Lewes game. Casuals made six changes including a start for goalkeeper Eddie Allan, among others.
As Aveley shuffled out in their navy home strip and Casuals donned chocolate and pink, it was a particularly overcast August afternoon in Essex. The newly-promoted Aveley had seemingly no trouble transitioning into Isthmian Premier Division life; winning three out of the four games played so far. They were clearly eager to continue this form as when the referee began proceedings, the hosts were instantly threatening the Casuals defence with silky passages of football as well as from dangerous set-pieces. This is what undid Corinthians in the twenty-fifth minute, when a corner was not cleared properly, resulting in Oscar Shelvey being able to tap the ball home in-front of the Aveley faithful after clever play from Alex Akrofi.
Despite the shaky beginning, Casuals settled by the time the first-half was coming to a close and began to probe the strong back four of Aveley. Nevertheless, the hosts remained the superior side both in possession and in terms of attacking opportunities- Allan was forced to stop an effort from Aileru before half-time arrived.
The travelling Corinthians made their way to the opposite end of the Parkside Stadium as the game resumed and from the off, Casuals looked more assured in their passing and attacking play. However, when Aveley substitute Benas Vaivada delivered a terrific corner into the danger area, centre-back Harry Gibbs rose above his marker and headed home. Seemingly the nail in the coffin for the away side, Aveley had doubled their lead, and there was only twenty-three minutes left to play.
Mirroring the resilience that Casuals showed to hold onto a precious point against Lewes on Saturday, Reid’s side were not going down without a fight. The chocolate and pink seemed rejuvenated by their substitutions: the hold-up play of Nathaniel Pinney and the remarkable pace and skill of Olumwabumni Babajide threatened the hosts’ comfortable lead. Babajide’s burst of energy clearly rattled Aveley’s backline when he pounced on a header intended for goalkeeper Hughes and nudged the ball around the no.1. Although the goal was open, Babajide was at a tight angle and was striding onto the ball with such power that he could only direct his effort onto the post. Even if the youngster was sprawled out on the floor and had his head in his hands at the miss, the Corinthians faithful and his teammates were as supportive as ever and willed him back up onto his feet.
This would be imperative in how the last moments of the game played out. Babajide was no longer ruing his miss and was instead causing havoc for Aveley’s Nzengo by outmuscling him, composing himself with a few vital touches that cleverly drew Hughes out from his goal, before slotting the ball past the stranded keeper and into the bottom corner. In the 87th minute, Casuals had finally nabbed a goal. It was game on.
Casuals were hovering around Aveley’s box for the remainder of the game, trying to conjure the goal that would rescue a hard-earned, and deserved point for the visitors. The Corinth supporters behind the goal, and most likely everyone else at Parkside thought that the goal had arrived when Pinney controlled the ball on the edge of the area, and unleashed a venomous piledriver that nearly broke the underside of the crossbar, before the ball eventually fizzled out of play. It was cruel for the Casuals, and even crueller was Sanogo’s header that narrowly floated over the bar just minutes later. The four minutes of stoppage time were then adjudged to be up, and the referee blew his whistle to the relief of Aveley, and to the frustration of Casuals.
However, there were positives to take from the defeat as a much-improved second-half displayed the determination that is becoming a key trait of Reid’s side. Casuals would look forward to a break from the Isthmian Premier Division; they face Burgess Hill Town in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round on Saturday at King George’s Field.
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