Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 Epsom & Ewell
Combined Counties League Premier South
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn

Casuals’ final home game of the season ended in defeat to Epsom & Ewell in a final game between landlords and tenants before the Salts move on this summer.

We’ve seen a trilogy against Epsom this season, beginning with the pre-season Stella Lamont Trophy, in which the tenants reclaimed the silverware via a penalty shoot-out. Then, in August, Reyon Dillon glistened in a bright Bank Holiday triumph for Casuals as we ran out 2-1 winners.

That result had ignited a four-game winning streak, but results have since taken a turn for the worse and Casuals were disappointed not to turn their form around in our last home game – a 2-2 draw against Chipstead in which we had led 2-0. However, last weekend’s 2-1 friendly win away at Knaphill ensured that Casuals fans at least celebrated Non-League Day with a victory.

The anticipation was ascending around the ground prior to kick-off, with Casuals fans absorbing the final few hours in home territory for the campaign. They were almost treated to a timely opener on 14 minutes, when former Corinthian shot-stopper Sami Nabbad’s scuffed clearance lacked the power to beat Michael Onovwigun who played in an unmarked Jonathan Gjoshe. But Nabbad recovered well to smother the full-back’s effort.

The Salts got their first clear-cut chance of the evening on the half-hour mark, by which point the game was back and forth like a pendulum. Winger Luke Miller – whose six goals have undoubtedly contributed to his side’s relegation battle – cut in from the right with the intention of adding another to his tally, but his effort bounced back off the foot of the post.

Corinthian-Casuals had held their own for long spells, with centre-halves Arsenii Protsyshyn and Warren Morgan influential in preserving the first-half clean sheet. Although, the Corinthian rearguard looked destined to be broken just prior to the interval, when an onslaught of Epsom & Ewell strikes were bravely blocked on the line.

The 232 in attendance – regardless of who they supported – would have been content heading into the break with a respectable half for both sides and enough chances to please the neutral.

Most of the crowd had barely had enough time to return to their seats before Casuals looked their lively selves once more. Player-assistant manager Gabriel Odunaike played his third game since swapping the touchline for the turf, and it was his textbook hold-up play that allowed Ben Cheklit to dart through and finish with finesse down to Nabbad’s left, firing the hosts ahead.

Despite this, the lead dissipated just 10 minutes later when Murillo Bernardes failed in his pursuit of a bouncing ball sent over the top by Craig Dundas, leaving Luke Miller with the simple task of nodding into an empty net. Some start to the second period, but an unnecessary blow for Corinth.

Casuals fans had heads in hands amid fears that history would repeat itself, and those worries became reality on 62 minutes. Miller was pulling the strings in Corinthian territory once again, yet this time he was impeded in the area by Marcos Dos Santos, and the Fans’ Player of the Season was hastily shown his second yellow. Epsom & Ewell captain Adam Grant slammed home an unsaveable penalty, sending a portion of the crowd into jubilant cheers.

The question that everybody found themselves asking was whether there was enough time for Casuals to rescue a point at the death once again. A dancing Denis Travin forged a path into the area late before finding Dillon, but the final chance of the game went askew.


Corinthian-Casuals: Bernardes, Protsyshyn, Onovwigun (Travin 68), Morgan (Dillon 45), Gjoshe (Cheklit 45), Dos Santos, Adelakun, Masikini, Falodi (Pilonetto 61), Cadogan, Odunaike

Corinthian-Casuals 2-2 Chipstead
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 15 March 2025
Attendance: 340
Report: Josh Lamey

The final home game of the season under sunny Saturday skies saw Corinthian-Casuals surrender a two-goal advantage at home to Chipstead, continuing a winless run that now stretches back to November.

That Chipstead comeback, however, couldn’t tarnish a day when a season-best attendance of 340 turned out to celebrate two landmark moments in the club’s history. Before the game, our Brazilian captain Marcos Dos Santos and long-time supporter Roger Stringer joined members of Fiel Londres on the pitch for the presentation of a special banner bearing the quote of “Brothers in Football”. It gave fans, players and committee members the chance to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the historic match against SC Corinthians Paulista.

Meanwhile, in the clubhouse a station was set up to mark the 100th anniversary of Corinthian FC’s post-war peace tour to Germany and Austria. One of our opponents on that tour, Tennis Borussia Berlin, had sent over a match-worn shirt for us to raffle along with pin badges, stickers and a flag for us to display in the stadium as a permanent reminder of the connection between the clubs.

On the pitch, it has been a tale of tough results in recent weeks. Consecutive 1-0 defeats against Tadley Calleva and Alton followed a frantic point in Sandhurst, and Casuals began this match 13th in the table, having had ambitions of the play-offs earlier in the year.

Many Casuals supporters would’ve been left reminiscing over our Step Three days upon seeing a starting eleven which rolled back the years. Player-coach Gabriel Odunaike was handed a rare opportunity to flourish once more in the role where he thrived in his previous stint at the club, while player-manager Mu Maan reprised his role in the centre of midfield.

Following a fairly even start to the encounter, Casuals forged ahead on 18 minutes through some individual inspiration from Kieron Cadogan. The former Crystal Palace frontman cushioned a Trey Masikini cross before caressing a perfectly-executed backheel beyond a stunned Klevis Muca, sending the Fiel Londres into raptures. It was the start of dreams on an historic day, and a goal to match the occasion.

All the excitement was too much for one furry friend behind the goal, but after a momentary interruption by a dog that managed to weave its way onto the turf, Casuals went back on the attack. The relentless Jonathon Gjoshe looped a cross into the danger area and, as if it were 2019, Odunaike instinctively beat Muca to the ball to nod home a scruffy but raucously-welcomed second for the home side.

But the Chips weren’t going down without a fight. In the midst of a goalmouth scramble, the visitors had a hopeful prod at goal charged down by the Corinthian defence, before the rebound fell fortunately to the feet of Sam Williams, who rifled beyond Murillo Bernardes. 2-1 with just half an hour played.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the flow of the game, there was another twist mere moments later, as Chipstead won a free kick on the outskirts of the area and Ben Jordan sent his effort curling and swerving beyond Bernardes. They had turned it around in no time at all.

The second half started how the first had ended – more chaos. Chipstead were reduced to 10 when Elliot McKimm’s ugly challenge left Dos Santos in agony, leading to his eventual substitution and an early shower for the Chipstead No3. Soon afterwards, ex-Casual Melford Simpson had an opportunity to put his new side in front after worming his way past Morgan, but the resulting hurried effort could only find the side netting.

Attacking pressure nearly made diamonds for Casuals on the hour mark, as Cadogan thought he’d notched his second of the afternoon. Masikini was the architect once more, as his lightning pace saw him breeze past defenders like statues, and his curler was diverted in via the boot of the talisman, yet the referee deemed him to be in an offside position.

The remainder of the game lost the intensity that it had started with. Various half-chances fell to substitute Freddie Champion, whose well-placed volley went narrowly askew, while was devastated that he couldn’t add to his earlier finish with a free header. Ultimately, neither side could break down the other in the remaining 10 minutes, but there was a sense of positivity and togetherness in the clubhouse after the game as Brian Adamson and Mu Maan hosted the annual awards ceremony a little earlier than usual.

This was our final Saturday home fixture this season – although we still have one game left to play at the Armada Group Stadium, against outgoing tenants Epsom & Ewell on Tuesday 25 March – and so the prizes were handed out with three games left to play.

Marcos Dos Santos was voted Fans’ Player of the Year and Manager’s Player of the Year, while Diogo da Silva got the nod for Players’ Player of the Year, and Jonathan Gjoshe was chosen as Young Player of the Year.

The message from chairman, manager and captain alike was clear: it’s onwards and upwards from here after a much-needed stabilising season. With support like we saw yesterday, the only way is up.

Corinthian-Casuals: Bernardes, Falodi (Cascoe-Rogers 66), Pilonetto, Dos Santos (Champion 51), Morgan, Protsyshyn, Gjoshe, Maan (Adelakun 77), Odunaike (Travin 84), Cadogan, Masikini

Sandhurst Town 1-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 15 February 2025
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Stuart Tree (full set here).

Casuals just love leaving it late. Frazier Osunkoya was the talk of the town on Saturday, as his frantic leveller sent a relieved Corinthian-Casuals side home with a point.

Recent unfavourable weather has caused a sporadic start to 2025 for Casuals, with just two games going ahead since the turn of the year. It’s been stop-start on the results front too – a 4-4 score draw with Camberley that went down to the wire and a 3-1 defeat at the hands of table-toppers Redhill left Mu Maan’s men firmly in mid-table.

Sandhurst, despite evidence of a mid-season resurgence, had been hovering just above the bottom two for the majority of the season. However, a handful of hard-fought draws and courageous performances suggested a battle was certainly on the cards for Casuals down the road from the Royal Military Academy.

The young Sandhurst side started the brighter, and fashioned an impressive opener on 17 minutes, when George Lock squeezed past Warren Morgan before launching a rocket high and hard beyond Murillo Bernardes’ left glove.

In a first half which lacked much meaningful goalmouth action, Sandhurst were eager to take any opportunity that they were given. Alfie Edmonds found himself with enough room to manoeuvre, before slinging a cross into the danger zone, and it was inches away from being an assist had Eddie Cooper’s header not trickled the wrong side of the post.

Amidst the frosty bite of the winter’s remnants, there was enough time for a fiery end to the half. Both sides had arms raised in penalty appeals – Sandhurst after Cooper was challenged by a strong but fair Marcos Dos Santos tackle, and Casuals when Reyon Dillon was galloping through the gears and seemed to be thwarted by Connor Allison inside the area. Nothing given.

Half-time presented Casuals with the perfect opportunity to regather and regroup after a difficult first 45, but if one thing was for sure, an improvement was imperative.

And whatever was said by Maan and the coaching staff during the interval nearly paid off after 48 minutes. Trey Masikini was electric down the right flank all game, and his low driven cross into the six-yard box was there for Dillon to pounce on, but the ball rolled agonisingly through the legs of the fan favourite. A glorious chance, but a sign of things to come in this second period.

Despite trailing early on, it was a heroic display from the defenders bearing the Corinthian badge. Fearless is just one of the words to describe debutant Tobi Falodi’s performance, as the left-back brought in from Epsom & Ewell put his body between ball and goal on numerous occasions. Meanwhile, returning goalkeeper Bernardes made some vital saves to keep Casuals in it.

The Fizzers had a chance to ensure that all three points would remain in Sandhurst on 66 minutes, when Cooper pounced on a loose ball just inside the area, but his wayward effort whistled over the upright. A matter of seconds later, Kieron Cadogan led the latest Corinthian counter-charge but his ambitious half-volley from 25 yards dropped over the bar.

As the clock ticked down, an impending sense of ‘now or never’ was looming among the persistent Corinthian-Casuals travelling support. The best chance of the match fell to Cadogan following a low cross by substitute Frazier Osunkoya, but his swivel and shot somehow failed to cross the line, despite a kind rebound allowing him and second and third swing at it.

However, Casuals weren’t done there. Eight minutes into time added on, many inside Bottom Meadow would’ve thought that Lock’s first-half strike would prove enough to separate the sides, but this is Mu Maan’s Corinthian-Casuals we’re talking about. In the dying embers, right-back Jonathan Gjoshe hoisted one final cross into the box, where Osunkoya met it with a powerful header that crashed off the bottom of the crossbar bar and over the line, sending those behind the goal into raucous raptures. You couldn’t believe it, but you had to. Casuals had pulled a point out of the fire again.

“It was a great feeling, but more importantly we wanted the three points,” said goalscorer Osunkoya, who had a spell at Sandhurst earlier this season. “We were pressing, running, we were on top. With another 10 minutes we would’ve won the game.”

Corinthian-Casuals: Bernardes, Gjoshe, Morgan, Dos Santos, Falodi, Swaby, Adelakun (Champion 45), Mu Maan (Cheklit 73), Masikini, Cadogan, Dillon (Osunkoya 82)

Corinthian-Casuals 4-4 Camberley Town
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 18 January 2025
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Stuart Tree (full set here), Andy Nunn (full set here).

Eight goals were shared in a game that threatened to become a cricket score, as Corinthian-Casuals picked up where they left off from before the New Year – as the league’s great entertainers.

The fans have had a period to reflect on an action-packed year, where sombre relegation was diluted by the appointment of the popular Mu Maan, whose exciting approach has rekindled the fire of this famous club. We can expect more of the same in 2025, which we began by welcoming Camberley to an eager King George’s.

Despite it being just three weeks since Casuals last kicked a ball, it’s felt like years. The crisp Christmas fog provided the backdrop for Whytleafe’s rampant display last time out, and it was just the six goals in the last home game, against Horley. All in all, though, it was refreshing to watch some football that wasn’t overthrown by harsh winter conditions.

The hosts’ early glimpses at goal had gone awry, leaving Camberley to land the first telling blow of the afternoon on 15 minutes. A long ball floated in from the left was the weapon of choice, and as the Casuals area was flooded by a sea of red shirts the final touch bundled in off centre-half Kay Conteh for a scruffy opener.

A second wasn’t far around the corner for the Krooners either. Casuals couldn’t keep out another killer Camberley cross which kissed the side of Tom Wensley’s boot and beat Mo Maan with devastating precision. An messy start from the home side’s perspective.

Some Corinthian pressure followed. First, a Kieron Cadogan backheel was scurried away with urgency, then the breakthrough came with five to play until half-time when Diogo Da Silva sent a free kick from an acute angle into the top right corner, with young Camberley keeper Dom West carrying it over the line. It was a goal that placed Da Silva among the league’s top scorers and threatened to fuel a fightback.

However, that hope was agonisingly short-lived, as Camberley turned the tide as they ended the half as they began it. An uncharacteristic error from Arsenii Protsyshyn left Denny Roberts with time and space, and after his original effort was saved by Maan, he caressed the rebound into an empty net.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between for Corinthian-Casuals in the opening period, but the best was yet to come for the 209 in attendance.

The ‘super sub’ cliche often gets thrown around in the footballing community, but Mu Maan must have been relieved to see the instantaneous impact of his half-time substitution. The man introduced – Brazilian talisman Raf Barbosa – immediately latched onto a classic Cadogan through-pass, and tucked it neatly past West to make it 3-2, with plenty of time remaining.

Much like the rest of the game thus far, it was a case of anything you can do, we can do better as the Krooners mounted yet another instant response to the Casuals resurgence on 53 minutes. Another miscommunication in the defence after a dubious long throw had Maan scrambling and Stan Pickup wheeling away in jubilance after tapping home from close quarters. It felt like a devastating blow for the hosts.

If there’s one thing that the Corinthian fanbase has learnt this season, though, it would be to never write off this group of players. For the third time of the afternoon, Barbosa managed to hoist his side back into the rhythm of a comeback, as Jonathan Gjoshe hugged the touchline with his run before cutting it back into the danger zone. The Brazilian was on hand to accurately crash a strike into the roof of the net sending the fans behind the goal into a state of reserved delirium, as they realised the threat that Camberley continued to pose.

Then, as darkness descended around Tolworth, the tangible longing for a last gasp equaliser deepened. The game rolled into its sixth minute of additional time, and with the referee poised to blow the final whistle at any moment, Casuals had one final trick up their sleeve. The ball fell kindly to an alert Frazier Osunkoya, but his sweet strike struck the outside of the post as many thought the chance to draw level had dissipated – however they hadn’t seen the onrushing Reyon Dillon who was able to divert the ball over the line. Cue bedlam in the stands – the great entertainers had put on a show again.

Corinthian-Casuals: Mo Maan, Gjoshe, Onovwigun, Protsyshyn, Adelakun, Ojo-Osagie (Barbosa 46), Cheklit (Dos Santos 23), Cascoe-Rogers (Dillon 59), Da Silva, Masikini, Cadogan (Osunkoya 88)

AFC Whyteleafe 5 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 28th December 2024
Report: Dominic Bliss
Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here) More photos from Andy Nunn here.

The first thing to say is this was not a typical 5-1 game. Casuals were not outclassed, simply beaten to the punch too many times by a ruthless Whyteleafe side who are in the thick of a tight promotion race.

At times, we had the better of the play between the boxes and our widemen were keen and effective. Trey Masikini was the liveliest player on the pitch in the opening exchange and won a penalty when he panicked the Whyteleafe goalkeeper into bringing him down just inside the area on seven minutes. Diogo da Silva, who also troubled the opposition backline during a bright start, stepped up to dispatch the penalty with nonchalant grace, sending George Hill the wrong way and giving Casuals an early lead.

Perhaps stung by Horley Town’s comeback the previous week, and aware of the threat posed by Whyteleafe, there was a reluctance among players and travelling support to get too ahead of ourselves.

With fog enveloping Church Road, the home side conversely began to play with more clarity, jolted into action by that early blow. Whyteleafe dominated the middle of the first half, with their midfield men Dan Bennett and Jordan Johnson-Palmer getting on the ball more, and green shirts surging onto second balls before looking to find their rapid wingers, Ryans Gondoh and Hall, at every opportunity.

The equaliser – after 20 minutes – was a piece of instinctive brilliance from Hall, who gave the Casuals defence very little chance to set themselves as he seized on a loose ball on the edge of the area following a blocked effort.

Kieron Cadogan came close for Casuals with a free kick shortly afterwards, as the visitors looked to respond. But just when we began to regain a foothold, we were caught cold by another through ball, and Matt Kellett-Smith arrived late in his attempt to intervene, bundling over his man just inside the area. The referee pointed to the spot.

Mo Maan returned to goal this week and read the penalty well, getting down to his left to push it away, only to see the determined Hall pounce on the rebound and score with his follow-up effort.

We were very much in the game until half-time, but within 10 minutes of the restart our optimism was dashed by a goal from Gondoh, our tormentor-in-chief in the reverse fixture against Whyteleafe earlier this season.

Yet Casuals continued to get on the ball and produce moments of promise, if only we had been more decisive in the final third. At times the combination play of Masikini, Cadogan, Da Silva and Reyon Dillon was enough to open up a half-chance, but we were shot shy, waiting for a clearer opening that just wouldn’t come.

Meanwhile, there was an intensity and a tenacity to the hosts’ play in both boxes. At the back, Corey Holder was vocal throughout, geeing up his team-mates, applauding every block, every challenge, every intervention the home side made in defence of their area. The experienced centre-back used to coach the Corinthian-Casuals FA Youth Cup side during our collaboration with Kinetic Academy a few years back and his nous, alongside the quality of skipper Helge Orome, made it very difficult for a lively Casuals attack to make a telling breakthrough.

It all played a part in the psychological battle, as Whyteleafe grew in belief, and Casuals’ confidence dropped off. There was no gulf in class, but there was a difference in decisiveness.

Mo Maan in goal made a couple of brave one-on-one blocks but could do little to prevent Gondoh and Orome adding a fourth, then a fifth, as we committed more men forward in search of a way back into the game.

On a day when it felt like every mistake was punished to the full, the frustration was in the fine detail. Whyteleafe’s fourth came from a break immediately after a Casuals attacking move that broke down due to over-elaborate play in front of goal. Their fifth came moments after Casuals’ substitute, Rafael Barbosa, was cynically brought down by the last man in the Whyteleafe backline after bursting towards goal with just the keeper to beat. The foul was made just outside the area, yet the referee decided to award just a yellow card, leaving Casuals dumbfounded as they watched the 11 men of the home side go and extend their lead at the other end.

No, the scoreline was not a true reflection of the game, or the respective quality within the two teams, but it did tell a story of its own about momentum. A few weeks back, Casuals were on the right side of an encounter like this, dismantling a spirited Sheerwater side as we seized on every loose ball and relentlessly pushed for more and more goals, eventually running out 4-1 winners in Tolworth.

A return to that level of performance wouldn’t take much. The ability is there, the support from our fans has never waned, and the togetherness within the dressing room was clear to see in the celebrations following Diogo’s opener. Sometimes a game just gets beyond a team in the middle of a difficult run. It will only take a battling victory to turn things around.

Corinthian-Casuals: Mo Maan, Gjoshe, Kellett-Smith, M Dos Santos, Protsyshyn, Antonio, Onovwigun (Barbosa 72), Da Silva (Cheklit 79), Cadogan (Cascoe-Rogers 68), Masikini, Dillon (Osunkoya 68)

Corinthian-Casuals 3 - 3 Horley Town
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 21st December 2024
Report and Pics - Stuart Tree (full set here)
More photos from Andy Nunn here.

Back in the eighties, the late Jimmy Greaves coined the phrase “a game of two halves” – an idiom to describe a half of wonderous glory followed by self-destruction, or vice-versa. For instance, being 3-0 up at half time only to be pegged back by your opponents, a la Milan in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, when Gerrard’s Liverpool made an astonishing comeback.

Now, I’m not comparing Casuals to Milan here – certainly not on the rough playing surface of King George’s at the moment. But when Horley Town’s Mason Seagroatt completed an unforeseeable comeback in the 93rd minute, Casuals would’ve been glad that the tie didn’t go to penalties and George Hyde in the Town goal, didn’t get to perform ‘spaghetti legs’.

But it was an astounding turnaround of events considering the dominance of Casuals in the first half. Though six goals in this fixture was never off the cards since the reverse match at the ironically-named New Defence saw nine goals shipped in all – with Casuals taking it 5-4.

Back to Saturday and Mu Maan’s side were looking to turnaround a very disappointing result at a bleak Chipstead in the week, where he expressed his frustration at conceding three goals. It couldn’t happen again! Could it? When Casuals produced a first half performance of such pleasure to fully redeem themselves, talk was of ‘clean sheets’ and ‘score six to fully send a message’. Oh Casuals – the tumultuous life we lead together.

Hero of the first 45 minutes was Diogo Da Silva – Casuals’ top scorer, who added a further three to this season’s tally, bringing the Brazilian to eleven and overtaking Kieron Cadogan in the process. He was faultless from the penalty spot in the fifth minute, following up with a goal, direct from his corner and finally, finishing off a beautiful Cadogan pass to give Corinth their most comfortable half-time lead this season. It could’ve been more with other set pieces flashing agonisingly close amongst other dangerous plays.

But it will remain a mystery as to what happened in the break. Was it all too easy? Did Horley think ‘get one early and it’s game on’? Perhaps a combination of both and when Casuals’ defence failed to reach the heights of Seagroatt’s header, five minutes after the break, it truly was ‘game on’!

Truth be-told, Casuals could’ve put the game to bed shortly after, with Hyde thwarting Cadogan’s neat trickery with a top save to his left.

But for the most part, it was one-way traffic with only one side looking hungry for the win. Horley pressed and split open a gaping hole in the defence, allowing Ben Senior the freedom of Tolworth to really pile the pressure on the home side. Had it not been for u18’s stopper David Wloch in goal, Horley would’ve found parity sooner than they did. The highlight of a string of saves was a full stretch one-handed tip onto the post to keep the score down.

It was baffling to watch though. A side with so much talent appeared to have forgotten how to play football. Clearances were hurried. Play was rushed. Defenders looked desperate to get the ball away from their feet as soon as possible. It only led to more and more pressure and, as we could all see coming, it finally broke – with Seagroatt completing the fully deserved comeback in stoppage time.

It’ll be interesting to see how Maan and his team address the situation; A playoff place is increasingly unlikely and relegation isn’t even a thought. But does this lead to complacency and apathy, the likes of which manifested itself with that second half performance? With just ten games left this season (which is utter madness in itself having four months of the season remaining), are Casuals ‘on the beach’? Post turkey redemption awaits.

Chipstead 3-2 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Tuesday 17 December 2024
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals ended up on the wrong side of a five-goal thriller at Chipstead, as further inconsistencies have saw our hopes of reaching the play-offs fade.

Armed with pink-and-chocolate hats, gloves and scarves – the Casuals faithful were ready to brave a chilly, pre-Christmas Tuesday evening in Surrey. Fresh from Saturday's lively 0-0 draw at home to Tooting & Mitcham, a more clinical performance in front of goal ultimately proved to be in vain, as fast winds contributed to set-piece struggles.

Chipstead required a rapid change of fortune from their previous game, which saw them suffer an 8-1 demolition to promotion hopefuls Jersey Bulls to hoist themselves away from the lower end of the table. And the hosts got just the response they were looking for.

It was an energetic start to the game, with both sides looking to break lines when they could, but despite Casuals looking the more likely, it was Chipstead that broke the deadlock on 18 minutes when Elijah Hopwood’s well-delivered wide free-kick was steered in at the near post by captain Tijani Eshilokun, although it looked to take a nick of defender Matt Kellett-Smith.

Moments later, Casuals left-back Arsenii Protsyshyn decided to take matters into his own hands to light up the gloomy Surrey night with a piece of attacking excellence. After some intricate link-up play with Kieron Cadogan, the Ukrainian smashed one across the face of goal and Trey Masikini was never going to miss out on his second goal of the campaign.

Corinthian-Casuals were back on track, and after going painfully close to scoring on Saturday, Reyon Dillon was back among the goals last night. Cadogan slipped him through, and the sheer strength and resilience saw him shrug off the Chipstead defender and fire low and hard beyond Klevis Muca.

Casuals fans would be forgiven for grabbing a hot drink and heading in early for half-time, to warm up knowing their side had the upper hand. However, Melford Simpson had other ideas. A familiar name haunted the Corinthian back line as he held the ball up on his chest, before playing it out wide and making a run into the box, where he got on the end of a low ball into his path. His effort was scuffed and looped into the air, deceiving both the fans and David Wloch as it dropped under the crossbar to draw the Chips level in stoppage time.

The hosts then began the second half how they ended the first, with a damaging blow to the Casuals defence after a corner wasn’t cleared to safety, and Evan Kelly forced the ball in from close range.

Both sides were a whisker away from adding to their respective tallies just after the hour mark. Ben Jordan would’ve been shocked that he didn’t give Chipstead a two-goal advantage after whacking the upright from a favourable position, before Dillon had the chance to notch his second and draw Casuals level, but he couldn’t bundle home Diogo Da Silva’s corner from under the crossbar, a defender getting a boot to the ball first.

With time running out, Casuals already had a tough task on their hands if they wanted to snatch a share of the spoils, but they had a mountain to climb after Hakeem Adelakun was sent off late on. Emmanuel Robe burst through the ranks, and the captain had to stop him to keep the deficit at just one. The definition of taking one for the team, but after some late pressure, this one would go down as Casuals’ fourth loss in the last five.

Corinthian-Casuals: Wloch, Gjoshe, Kellett-Smith, M Dos Santos, Protsyshyn, Adelakun, Antonio (Onovwigun 61), Dillon (Cascoe-Rogers 61), Cheklit (Da Silva 55), Masikini, Cadogan

Corinthian-Casuals 0-0 Tooting & Mitcham United
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Saturday 14 December 2024
Report: Josh Lamey. Images: Stuart Tree (full set here).

“On another day it could’ve been three or four,” lamented Matt Kellett-Smith following yesterday’s respectable goalless draw against ex-Casual Jamie Byatt’s Tooting & Mitcham United.

On an afternoon of familiar faces, Byatt and his in-form Terrors side came to King George’s Field looking to propel themselves up the table after a rich vein of form in which they have gone six games unbeaten.

It has been the opposite story for Corinthian-Casuals, after the frustration of defeat to Guildford here on Tuesday night. Jersey and Fleet have also successfully left Tolworth with points in one way or another lately, and this was another tough test for Mu Maan’s men as two friends became rivals for another 90 minutes. A crowd of 310 showed the popularity of this fixture between two grand old non-league clubs.

Casuals winger Trey Masikini had the first opportunity to make his mark on the contest on the 10-minute mark, when his nimble footwork saw him glide between defenders on the edge of the area. All that was left to do was wrap one into the top corner, but his effort sailed the wrong side of the post. A start of speed and purpose from the hosts.

Masikini’s early intricacies were matched down the other end just moments later. A floater played in from the Tooting right seemed to hang in the sky forever, until Darra Wopara’s acrobatic bicycle attempt was grasped by Sami Nabbad. One for the cameras, perhaps, but not far off giving his side a spectacular lead.

Reyon Dillon will be a name cemented into the minds of every Tooting defender thanks to his decisive double back in August, and he was a mere inch away from crafting another sucker punch against the Stripes. Dillon won a footrace with goalkeeper Toby McKimm before squaring it to Kieron Cadogan, whose drag back and strike was crucially blocked on the goal line to prevent the opener.

The last chance of the half would fall to Tooting’s number nine, Alex Cruickshank, who saw a glimpse at goal with Nabbad off his line. From 40 yards out, it would have needed to be perfect to creep beyond the Casuals keeper, but nevertheless it took an athletic save to preserve the clean sheet going into the break.

Heading into the second 45, Corinth were looking to rekindle the type of confidence in front of goal which helped them secure victory at Imperial Fields earlier in the season. Dillon had the game at his feet once again after being face-to-face with McKimm, but whacked a ferocious effort narrowly wide of the near post.

They say pressure makes diamonds, and Corinthian-Casuals were agonisingly close to being rewarded for their attacking prowess once again. It was panic stations in the Tooting area, as block after block kept Cadogan and Dillon at bay, who themselves

were desperate for any touch to take the ball into the net. After a crazy phase of play, the Stripes cleared to safety.

Added time was upon us, and it would take a moment of magic to prevent this one from going down in the history books as a 0-0 stalemate. Ben Cheklit – freshly back from injury – sought to seize his chance in the dying embers as he picked the ball up 25 yards out and curled a pearler towards the top left corner. Off their seats and expecting the net to ripple, the fans found themselves wondering what could’ve been had it not been for a tremendous save from McKimm.

“We had the better of the chances, so it was a shame not to get a result.” confessed Kellett-Smith at full time. “But I feel like if we play like that in the next game it’ll come, so it’s important to carry that momentum.”

Corinthian-Casuals: Nabbad, Gjoshe, Kellett-Smith, M Dos Santos, Potsyshyn, Adelakun (c), Antonio (Cheklit 69), Dillon, Da Silva (Cascoe-Rogers 76), Masikini, Cadogan

 Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 Guildford City
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Tuesday 10 December 2024
Report: Josh Lamey Images: Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals felt the chill of defeat on an arctic evening in Tolworth, as Guildford City snatched victory in a tight Tuesday night contest.

Not winning since the previous meeting with Guildford has stalled Mu Maan’s side’s progress in the push for a play-off place, but the pink-and-chocolate army certainly hadn’t been short of entertainment in the intervening fixtures.

The reverse fixture five games ago saw Casuals bag a stoppage-time winner courtesy of Jerson Dos Santos. Since then, a spirited fightback from two down against Fleet Town tasted bittersweet, as one point could’ve been three on another day, while two stoppage time goals from Jersey Bulls denied us victory over the islanders.

Seeking payback for the prior encounter, 16th-placed Guildford had a point to prove last night. It was a scrappy start for both sides as they acclimatised to the conditions, but the deadlock was broken after 14 minutes, when Sami Nabbad misjudged after coming to clear on the edge of his box, leaving Deven Reid-Solanki to tuck home into an empty net.

However, Casuals erased the nightmare start with a glorious team goal just before the half-hour mark. Trey Masikini dribbling wizardry on the left wing was followed by a perfect cut-back to Diogo Da Silva in front of goal, and the Brazilian finished to grab his ninth goal of the season.

As the half wore on, the Corinthian chances continued to come, and a variety of Brazilian trickery had the home crowd gasping. Da Silva’s push and run had City’s back line stretched, and after some tidy interchange with Kieron Cadogan, he hammered the bar with a ferocious effort.

Cadogan was presented with the final opportunity of the half by a stunning ball across the face of goal from Michael Onovwigun, but the wrong contact meant it skimmed off his shin, although his blushes were spared by the linesman’s flag. Home fans and players alike went into the break in disbelief as to how they weren’t leading.

The second period began the same as the first: a topsy-turvy encounter that had the feeling it could go either way, and after a wave of Guildfordian dominance, another chance opened up for Corinth. Cadogan had the ball under his spell once again, and after dancing around opposition defenders on the edge of the box let fly. His shot was parried by Terry, but the rebound fell kindly to Da Silva who somehow failed to head home with the goal gaping.

Casuals were then punished for our profligacy when Emmanuel Acheampong capitalised on uncertainty in the Casuals backline to score Guildford’s second, before wheeling away to the corner flag with his whooping team-mates. 2-1 to the visitors.

Despite a bold late effort to find an equaliser, it wasn’t to be for Corinthian-Casuals in another agonising defeat.

Despite the result, winger Kiyo Brown was quick to acknowledge the role of the fans yesterday and throughout the season. “It’s great having such a large and noisy crowd,” he said. “It gives us that extra motivation to perform. They’re always such a big part, home and away, win or lose, they’re there no matter what.”

Corinthian-Casuals: Nabbad, Gjoshe, Pilonetto (Adelakun 58), Onovwigun (Ojo-Osagie 83), Kellett-Smith, Protsyshyn, Brown (Dillon 68), Antonio (M Dos Santos 64), Cadogan, Da Silva (Cascoe-Rogers 64), Masikini

Alton 1 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 23rd November 2024
Report and Photos - Stuart Tree (full set here)
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Storm Bert played its part in a very wet and windy draw at Alton on Saturday.

Diogo Da Silva’s first half strike was cancelled out by Jamie Hoppitt’s equaliser on the hour.

And with both teams looking for a winner, neither would be ultimately happy with a solitary point.

For Casuals, it was a missed opportunity to slip into the playoff places, hot on the heels of Cobham who could only draw with Camberley Town. But it’s only one loss in seven for Mu Maan’s side who, by and large, are picking up far more positive results than not.

Without Alton’s all-weather playing surface, the fixture would’ve likely been postponed due to the weather. Howling gales and driving rain constricted supporters to the very back row of the seated stand or take shelter in the opposite covered terracing. Those foolhardy enough to brave it in the elements behind the goal didn’t last too long before retreating.

Despite Alton’s lowly league position, they set out their intentions early, putting Casuals under pressure from the off. But with five attacking forwards on the pitch, Corinth was to strike first. Jerson Dos Santos broke down the left channel and fired at Theo Rust in goal, who could only parry the ball into the path of Da Silva who couldn’t miss for his seventh of the campaign.

Casuals looked to make it two, with Rust tipping a fierce shot onto the post and Cadogan spotting the keeper off his line but firing just wide. Ultimately, the two sides would retreat from the weather just a goal apart.

And it was Alton who looked the more lively after the break. Their pressure told in a period that many could see what was coming. Jamie Hoppitt’s header squirmed over the line with Nabaad unable to scoop it away in time and the home side had a deserved equaliser.

Despite the horrendous weather, both sides looked to play football rather than descending into hoof-it-and-hope with Casuals coming back into the fray to find another late winner. Da Silva’s free kick whistled over the bar and in stoppage time, Johnno Gjoshe’s cross looked destined to land on Kieron Cadogan’s head, but the wind caught it and the chance was gone.

Honours even on a tough afternoon, with weather often billed as a ‘leveller’. Whilst Casuals, with playoff ambitions will feel aggrieved that they didn’t pick up all three points at a side with ony three wins all season, they’ll also be grateful that a potential ‘banana skin’ was avoided and another valuable point picked up on the road. In fact, that point gives Casuals a better away record than at home, with 17 earned on their travels, opposed to 16 at home (albeit playing two less at King George’s).