Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 2 Bishop's Stortford
Isthmian League Premier Division
Tuesday 26th October 2021
Report: Stuart Tree

A poor first half performance from Corinthian-Casuals condemned them to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bishop’s Stortford on an uninspiring evening in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Two first half goals from Jake Cass, the first via the penalty spot was enough to dispatch James Bracken’s side in the opening forty-five minutes. Despite an improved second half, the three points remained comfortably in the hands of the visitors.

Coskun Ekim came in for an injured Elliott Bolton and Emmanuel Mensah returned to action, displacing Warren Mfula on the bench.

Perhaps exhausted from a continuous run of high-pressured games, including a 38-year best FA Cup run, Casuals never got out of first gear. A season low attendance was also telling as relentless football takes its toll on the pocket too.

Stortford had the lion’s share of possession in the first half but the first chance fell to Jack Strange, who’s half volley struck the crossbar from a fine free kick courtesy of Ben Cheklit.

But Strange was involved in the first controversial moment of the game when he was adjudged to have fouled his opponent in the box. Whilst contact was made, it came after the defender had nicked the ball away. Despite his protests, which earned him a yellow card, the penalty stood and Jake Cass dispatched with ease.

Wind in their sails, Stortford applied good amounts of pressure and carved Casuals open on a couple of occasions. They survived the first – Emmanuel Mensah clearing off the line but the second time, Cass had no problem turning in a low cross.

Bracken made two changes at half time in an attempt to liven things up and to an extent, it worked. There was more forward endeavour, putting Stortford onto the back foot. Substitute Mfula was unlucky not to get more of an inbound cross, heading just wide.

But it was only in the final minutes that Casuals should’ve scored; two chances falling in the dying minutes with Archie Edwards denying a goal-bound strike and Kieron Cadogan blazing over from 15 yards, front and centre.

In the end, it was a comfortable away win for the visitors who were never really tested throughout.

"That first half didn’t resemble anywhere near the levels of performance we’d expect both individually and as a collective," said Bracken after the match.

"Let’s be fair to Stortford, they pressed us really well. We knew they’d come with a lot of energy and we knew what we’d be up against. We prepared ourselves for that but we seemed to persist in trying to play our way out of enormous pressure. They came here fresh, motivated and put us under spells of pressure where, on a pitch that’s a bit soft, we’ve tried to be too clever at times. As a consequence, we’ve lost the ball in too many bad areas. 2-0 down at half time and we thoroughly deserved to be.

"We turned things around slightly at half time but our chances didn’t come until right at the end and we didn’t take them anyway. But it was better from us in the second half and we probably edged it without being particularly good ourselves, in what was a scrappy game.

"For some players, it looked like it was a game too many at the moment. We’ve tried to freshen things up and a couple of players have come in tonight with a view of giving us a few more fresh legs and a hunger to try and win that shirt.

"But we’re going to have off-nights. We need seven or eight players to turn up each game giving their best. The two or three that aren’t quite on it probably get subbed but you still have enough on the pitch to win. But tonight, if you’d have said to me, “who had a good game?” the God’s honest truth is ’no one’. Literally, to a man – not one of those players has played to a level that I know they can.

"We haven’t shipped six or seven goals though, which is happening to a lot of other teams in this division. We’ve let in two – second half is better and probably should’ve grabbed one back at the end to make it a little more respectable. But the bottom line is, the first half cost us. We can’t afford to start in first gear. That won’t get you any points against a decent Stortford side.
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"Cheshunt won’t be an easy game either. They’re sitting in and around the playoff places and were second when the season halted last year. They’re a decent side. They’ll come here with physicality. They’re lively around the box. We’ll try to be best prepared for them.  I expect us to be better and if we are, I expect us to win. But we just need to go and do it out there on the pitch."

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 1 Bishop's Stortford
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 9th February 2019
Match report: Cameron Smith & Joshua Doherty. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)

Warren Mfula’s well-worked opener was cancelled out on the stroke of half-time by Bishop’s Stortford, who managed to stop the rejuvenated Corinthian-Casuals from stealing a winner and gaining a much-needed win in the 1-1 draw at King George’s.

Luke Blewden’s second goal in midweek was a punch to the gut for the Casuals supporters; Lewes were 2-0 winners in Tolworth and despite supporting their side for the whole 90 minutes, there was no reward for the Corinth. And it was undoubtedly the same for the players and staff, who had tried their best against a tough side… it was just one of those days. It had been one of those days for seven straight games but Bishop’s Stortford arrived to the windy King George’s with only two points in the last five. Would James Bracken’s pink and brown army break their own poor form or would they break the Blues’ lack of victories?

Whilst journeyman striker Jamie Cureton sat on the Bishop’s Stortford bench at the age of 43, there was another veteran goal-scorer in Tolworth watching on from the substitutes. Jamie Byatt was training for the Casuals before the match and the contingent were beaming with his return- Busy is truly back! Majed Osman was replaced by Benjamin Aghadiuno in the only change for Casuals.

Pink and brown versus white, the tone was set early on for the rest of the game through scrappy congestion in midfield and long balls moving all over the place. Heavily affected by the wind, goal kicks and set-pieces were unpredictable so goalkeepers needed to be alert. Mfula was positioned on the right flank when he curled a shot (or a lucky cross) that dangerously dipped towards the keeper’s top left corner. Janata moved quickly to tip it over the bar and despite the lack of key chances, Casuals seemed to dominate from there. The final ball was the only problem and not even a deflected clearance off Jack Strange’s shin after a Adelakun corner could Corinth take the lead.

Would this be another day where the opposition would break away and steal the opening goal against the run of play? Adelakun’s brilliant cross was perfect for Odunaike at the back post, who managed to find space against the exhausted Alfie Mason at left-back. Controlling and instead of shooting like the supporters behind the goal urged, Odunaike was intelligent when he cut back for Mfula. The no.10 hit a first-time effort into the bottom right corner with such composure that he made it look routine and wheeled away in celebration. It was his seventeeth of the season, and Casuals had struck gold with only seven minutes left of the half.

The aim was to transition into the second-half with a one goal lead but this plan went out the window with a corner for Bishop’s Stortford. Chucked into the area, a seemingly-unmarked Johnville Renee nodded past Bracken and levelled the game, much to the annoyance of Corinthians.
It was the definition of bittersweet for Casuals, who should be proud of their attacking exploits in the first half but one moment of distraction allowed the visitors to equalise.

A lot could happen in 45 minutes, and a lot did. The scrappy nature of the game continued, but the chances were all for the pink and brown army. An example of Casuals’ luck was Jack Tucker’s early cross that Benji Aghadiuno got his head onto first, which lifted the ball over the keeper’s head and towards the goal. No.5 Ryan Henshaw booted the ball away before it reached the line and agonisingly, Bishop’s Stortford got away with it again.

It was in the final 10/15 minutes where Casuals were in their element. A delectable delivery from sub Josh Uzun missed the solid connection of a few pink shirts before it was cleared, and Uzun was in the centre of a key attack for Casuals again moments later. It was a ridiculously well-mannered move considering the time and place; Uzun placed the ball with a shot that did not meet the net or keeper, but the hand of a Stortford defender. The referee was positioned perfectly to give the penalty, but chose not to and waved away angry appeals from everyone involved with Corinthian-Casuals. Hands on heads, Casuals martyred through the pain of the decision and Aghadiuno’s flick was saved by the orange shirt in between the sticks.

Jamie Byatt was introduced for the final few minutes, which was the biggest cheer of the day and seemed to lift the withering morale of the Casuals squad. Bishop’s Stortford battled to the end and perhaps it was the adrenaline of their fantastic defensive performance that had caused centre-back Adam Bailey-Dennis to lunge into a reckless challenge in the 90th minute. Aghadiuno was the target and the referee saw the intent. Bailey-Dennis was dismissed and for the final moments, everyone was behind the ball for the visitors. Jack Strange’s chance at the death was the final opportunity to grab three points from the game, but unfortunately the keeper managed to save it. Frustrating to say the least, it was 1-1 at King George’s at the end of 90 minutes.

Those 90 minutes were certainly difficult and a win could have easily been achieved, but Bishop’s Stortford were a sturdy side that we wish the best of luck for the rest of the season. Nine games left turn into eight games left and sadly six points from the relegation zone turn into five as Harlow Town beat Kingstonian 3-1. Casuals’ next three games could not get any harder- a trip to Tonbridge to face the Angels before top-of-the-league Dorking Wanderers and Carshalton Atheltic arrive in Tolworth. Not only is it just three cup finals, but all eight games left are monumental to Casuals’ survival in the Bostik Premier.

"We conceded just before half-time but the run of the decisions that went in to that was really disappointing for us, and to be honest, I don't think the referee had a good game," said Manager James Bracken afterwards. 

"We definitely should have had a penalty in the second half, that he didn't give us. My players never appeal for anything in bulk, ever, I tell them to and they don't. Every one of the 11 and my bench was all up, and its a penalty, no doubt. Funnily enough, we had one on Tuesday night that we didn't get and when we watched it back we could see that he had his hands above his head and blocks the shot. That's two in the last two games now, but when you aren't getting the run of the green and your luck is not quite falling for you you don't get them, and we definitely haven't. 

"In terms of performance however, we are pleased with it. It wasn't perfect, but it was good enough to win  a game of football today and get the second goal, we had a couple cleared off the line and a few we didn't quite get right, but I am pleased. That's one defeat in the last three now and that's certainly more positive form than the run of defeats we had before. We need to keep building and not accept that we are there now, because we're not. We need to do more again to get a few wins. 

"We played a side that was not long ago in the conference south and we have given more than a good enough account for ourselves and unlucky no to win at a level we shouldn't be operating at. We have to take a sense of pride in that, but obviously points are better. We need to pick up 2 or 3/4 wins out of these last eight games to ensure we are where we deserve to be. "
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​After the 3-0 defeat to Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree.

“The two goals we conceded in the second half are especially poor. To concede just after half time is a flattener because we’re still in the game at 1-0. If we got the next goal, it could’ve been a very different outcome.
 
“To concede such a soft goal was disheartening for everyone. We’ve then had to force changes; come away from our usual game plan to get a foothold in the match and give ourselves a chance. The changes didn’t really improve matters, but you have to take a throw of the dice sometimes. The last goal, it’s not the change in shape that’s cost it… just an individual error.
 
“First half, we were more than competitive in the game. I felt we dominated large parts of the mid-field and we looked a threat. We probably didn’t play enough right passes and when we did, the quality wasn’t there. But we had chances. There was a one-on-one, a header from under the crossbar that was well saved. There were plenty of promising positions that we got ourselves into around the penalty box, but poor decision making cost us.
 
“Across the pitch, we weren’t good enough. The boys worked their socks off trying to do what we’ve asked them to do. I’m not going to beat them up too much over it though. It’s not like we’re coming off the back of eight straight wins and we’ve been hammered. It’s a game of football against a team that’s around the playoff spots. We were in it, competitive, we’ve had a throw at it but conceded three soft goals. If you give a side like this those opportunities, it doesn’t really matter what else you do in the game, it makes it very hard.
 
“We can be better than that for sure. I’ve asked them to take individual responsibility and not to point the finger at someone else. Everyone could’ve played better.
 
“At the same time, we must remember these lads aren’t robots. There’s plenty of variables to a game of football. Bishop’s Stortford have two lads up front in Cass and Cureton who are as clinical as you’ll find at this level. If you concede chances like we have – and we’ve gifted the pair of them goals – they’ll take them.
 
“There’s no great surgery needed.  We’ve won our previous three without conceding a goal, so we just need to look back at what went wrong and learn from it. It’s just down to how the boys correct things on the pitch. We have a great group of lads here that don’t get paid, yet they do their best. They’re good players and I know I’ll get a response from them.
 
“The response I’m looking for is ‘how hard are you willing to run for the team? How hard are you willing to get out there and push yourself?’ I know the team we put out against Haringey Borough on Tuesday night will be willing to run for another three points.
 
“It’s a good time to play Haringey. They’re a decent side that’ll come with lots of pace across the front. They’ve got a great FA Cup result at home against Poole and are in the 1st Round draw. Hopefully Haringey get a good tie and whets the appetite for the FA Cup. Perhaps they’ll overlook us a bit.
 
“They’ve got to come to Tolworth where we’ve won three in a row and not conceded a goal. We’re looking to make King George’s a fortress, which it hasn’t been in my time here. I believe we’ve got more points away from home in the last few seasons, but we need to use that confidence from the three consecutive home wins and add a fourth.”

Bishop's Stortford 3 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 20th October 2018
Report and Pics: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)

Corinthian-Casuals suffered their first defeat in four matches going down 3-0 to a clinical Bishop’s Stortford side in the Bostik League Premier Division.
 
Casuals headed into this game looking to extend an unbeaten run which had saw three clean sheets in three games. However, standing in their way was a resurgent Stortford, who have vastly improved on their early season exploits – now under the guidance of Steve Smith and Jamie Cureton. The blues are unbeaten in their previous eight matches following the appointment of the new management duo.
 
Their cause was helped by having the services of National League hot-shot Jake Cass up front. His first start for the club in five matches. The dual-registered striker was unavailable to play for his parent club, Braintree thanks to FA Cup eligibility reasons. Joining him was the experienced ex-QPR and Norwich hitman Jamie Cureton.
 
Casuals made a number of changes from their London Senior Cup win in the week but a notable absence in midfield was Coskun Ekim, being replaced by Hamilton Antonio.
 
Stortford had the better of the opening chances though Casuals looked more dangerous on the counter. Keeper Brad Comins had to be sharp to prevent Cureton and Nick Brown from scoring.
 
The first blow was struck on 13 minutes. Cass turned Jack Tucker and his low cross was pounced upon by Alfie Mason in the six yard box. Casuals’ defending something left to be desired.
 
Warren Mfula was closest to restoring parity when he met a cross and his header was expertly kept out by Calum Kitscha. Gabriel Odunaike broke the back line and raced onto a through ball, though the assistant referee deemed him offside. However, replays of footage show the striker clearly onside when the ball is played. Small margins can be costly.

And so it was; just four minutes into the second half and a long ball from Stortford’s own half found Casuals’ defence wanting and Cureton had no hesitation in punishing the visitors. How he took his goal well, though!
 
Corinth had been winded and never looked like getting back into the game, despite good build up play around the box. Jordan Clarke cut in from the byline and forced a save at the near post. Jack Strange’s free header could only sail over the bar. Odunaike breaking through could only muster a weak shot.
 
At the other end, Comins made a string of excellent saves from a number of chances but many will remember his mistake that cost the third goal. Another long ball into the box was mishandled by the keeper and Cass reacted quickly to head into an empty net.

Read Manager James Bracken's post match thoughts here.