Corinthian-Casuals 2 - 2 Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 11th February 2017
Attendance: 140
Match report and pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Additional photos: Paul Downs (here)

Corinthian-Casuals Manager James Bracken was left furious after an ugly spitting incident marred a feisty 2-2 draw with relegation contenders Chatham Town in the Ryman League Division One South.

A stark contrast to the free-flowing, attacking football from both Casuals and East Grinstead on Tuesday night, Chatham travelled to King George’s in desperate search of a positive result as they sat eight points from safety. The Chats had only picked up one win in their last twenty league matches and had a proverbial mountain to climb taking on a side who are competing for playoffs, winning their last two, conceding none.

Casuals were without ever-present Josh Gallagher, who’d scored in the 4-1 reverse tie at the end of last year. Talisman Jamie Byatt was still nursing a hamstring strain. Mu Maan was given his first start since his return to King George’s Arena.

Chatham Manager Paul Piggott had spoken to the press just two days before, stating that he hoped new signing Chris Saunders can help Chatham develop a nasty streak. Those intentions were set out early when Saunders launched a harsh tackle on Mahrez Bettache (pic above) which left the midfielder nursing a bloody and swollen ankle. However, match official Andrew Williams felt that the Chats player only needed a talking to. Bettache was replaced by Jordan Clarke leaving the management to quickly alter plans.

Though Casuals started the brighter of the two sides, they found themselves one down after twenty minutes. A speculative ball over the top was misjudged by the Casuals defence and allowed Ricky Freeman to have a stab at goal. Though twenty yards out, keeper Danny Bracken will feel aggrieved that he could only parry the shot into his own net.

Corinth’s tempo began to rise and both Mu Maan and Coskun Ekim tested Alex Hyde in the Chatham goal – the stopper displaying some fine goalkeeping. Danny Dudley was close to replicating his midweek goal when Josh Uzun’s corner found the defender at the back post, but could only head over.

On 37 minutes, Casuals were level; the on-coming Hyde was deemed to upend Shaun Okojie and a penalty was awarded. Ever reliable Josh Uzun providing score line parity.

Corinth pushed on in the second half to find a winner and pressure built upon the resolute Chatham defence. Okojie went closest after a scramble in the box saw the striker’s shot pass agonisingly wide of the far post.

However, Uzun – a dead ball specialist once again showed why he’s trusted with the ball at his feet. A free kick was awarded near the corner flag and Uzun bent a wicked shot into the far corner, beating all who came near.

Celebrations didn’t last long though as Chatham, realising they have to open up to get something from the match ventured forward and won a corner. Casuals failed to clear and Freeman bagged his second of the game heading home at the far post.

Casuals luck almost went from bad to worse as successive slips in defence allowed Chatham to break free and only a last-ditch goal-line clearance from Juevan Spencer spared the blushes of all in chocolate and pink.

Then, things turned very ugly as Chatham full-back Abdul Lyoubi spat in the face of teenager Jack Strange in an off the ball incident. The defender was incensed as all 22 players came together. However, the despicable act was again unpunished by the officials. The offending player was quickly substituted knowing he’d dodged a bullet.

Okojie came closest to winning it for Casuals when his neat footwork allowed him to turn and shoot from 12 yards, but only found a thankful Hyde in goal. The two teams shared the points but tensions flared once again after the final whistle and Jack Strange was dismissed for swearing.

Casuals sit in seventh, one point outside the playoffs but with at least a game in hand on those above. Chatham claw a point towards safety, needing to make up at least eight points on Guernsey with twelve games to go.

“Disappointed with today. We should be beating teams like that. We have to be,” commented James Bracken after the match.

“Again, it’s another game where someone comes to us being ultra negative. They’ve had one attack, the ball over the top and one set piece and they’ve scored from them. It’s lapses in concentration from us in a game where we’ve totally dominated the ball against a side who are happy to try and survive.

“If they’d have got away with a 2-0 defeat here, they’ll probably go home quite happy. That’s the mentality they can have. Of course, it’s up to them to set themselves up that way. They got a point here which they needed but I won’t ever have that negative mentality.

“From us, it’s very frustrating. The referee hasn’t helped. He’s been weak throughout the game. The tackle from behind on Maz, where he’s had to limp off after ten minutes is at least a yellow card. Nothing is given and the boy goes on to do half a dozen bad challenges and doesn’t even get a caution. There’s a lad who’s deliberately stamped on someone’s hand as he’s run past them. Again… no punishment. He gets a booking at the last kick of the game but should’ve seen one in the first ten minutes.

“These decisions… if the referee clamps down on that early, takes charge and run the game as it should be, then the game is shaped differently. It becomes how a football match should be played rather than how they wanted to make it, which he allowed.

“Jack’s been spat at and it’s all over his face. Every player has seen it as well as the supporters. Their management and players have come over and apologised to me about it after the final whistle.

“So the officials know what’s going on. Their lad has spat in his face. He should’ve been sent off for a bad tackle alone but again, it’s weakness from the referee. He carries on without caution to then go on and spit in someone’s face. That’s unpunished again and truly sums it up when their manager immediately substitutes him knowing they’d got away with it.

“For me, the boy is scum. People who spit at others are scum. They shouldn't be anywhere near a football match.

“I also have no idea why Jack was shown a red card after the final whistle. Let’s get these facts right. Their number three hasn’t been sent off and sat in the dugout on the far side. He’s walked across the pitch, where after you spit in someone’s eye, you shouldn’t be anywhere near a football field, but he is. I didn’t see Jack go anywhere near him but the referee shows him a straight red card. It’s weak.”

Chatham Town 1 - 4 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 22nd October 2016
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)

Shaun Okojie bagged a triplet of goals in a comfortable away win for Corinthian-Casuals as they defeated strugglers Chatham Town 4-1 in the Ryman League Division One South.

The win emphatically put to bed the disappointing performance in the 1-0 loss to South Park on Tuesday night. Though their hosts, Chatham Town lay just above the relegation zone, the encounter could've thrown a curveball on a pitch that resembled a bobbly dust-bowl.

Manager James Bracken made two attacking changes to his side which have failed to score in three of the last four matches. Ben Cheklit and Jordan Clarke replaced Jamie Byatt and Josh Uzun.

Chats started brightly, testing Danny Bracken in goal within the first minute and forcing a fine save. But it didn't take long for Corinth to impose themselves on the game; Juevan Spencer intertwined with Dave Hodges to cause problems for the Chat's right flank; Maz Bettache looked lively on the tricky surface and Ben Cheklit lay in wait on the far side. Indeed, it was Cheklit's cross that found the 6'2” Okojie who's header was steered narrowly wide.

Chatham in parts looked dangerous too. With a tinge of 'shoot on sight' policy, Owen Price connected well with his 25 yard effort which whistled past the post. Bracken had to be alert to a cross which found a Chats forward in a great position.

Bracken's opposite number, Alex Hyde was soon called into action when Bettache's corner found the head of Okojie and an outreached left hand tipped the ball around the post.

The deadlock was broken on 34 minutes when Jordan Clarke threaded a ball through to Bettache who blasted an accurate ball across the six yard box and was met by Okojie at the back post. Casuals had their first goal in over 200 minutes.

It could've been two just before half time. Another wicked Bettache ball from the corner spot was met by Jack Strange who directed his header onto the Chatham bar. It wouldn't have been undeserved.

The second half took a while to spark into life and Chatham enjoyed more possession but in the course of sixty seconds, the scene was set; Owen Price forced an excellent save from Bracken who's lightning reactions prevented the equaliser. Casuals broke with pace and Juevan Spencer found himself with Hyde confronting him in the box, but laid the ball back to Okojie who placed the ball in the net from the edge of the box. The strike was as calm as the big man's celebrations.

A few nervous minutes could've ensued when Luke Medley took matters into his own hands. The Chatham forward almost ripped a hole in Bracken's net when he smashed a shot past the keeper's near post. But just three minutes later, Okojie had his hattrick. Warren Morgan made a trademark burst from right-back into the box and found the striker waiting to pounce on the penalty spot. A slight scuff didn't matter as it was enough to clinch the points.

And to rub salt into the wounds, substitute Jamie Byatt played in Josh Gallagher who found no problem in striking the ball past Hyde to end the game with a deserved 4-1 victory.

The win lifts Casuals into fifth place on goal difference. Manager James Bracken had these words to say after the match.

“Zero frustrations for me today. We're in the playoff spots, we're playing well, we're competing to try and win this league.

“When we've lost, when we've drawn and even when we've won, we've come away with some frustrations. I'm pleased to say that today, we've come away with none of those frustrations.

“Going forward, we look bright, exciting, creative and quick. At the back we look solid. Everyone worked in between and they knew what was expected of them. They've delivered a performance of which we've been searching for since the start of the season... a performance that really imposed ourselves on the game.

“What was pleasing was for us to not only impose ourselves on possession and quality, but be clinical and stick four in the net. Those goals today put us back in the playoff spots, so they have a real impact and it's good for our confidence.

“Everyone can beat everyone in this league. It's about getting on a good run and ignoring what others are doing. Other sides will have good streaks but we have to make sure our winning streaks are longer and better than theirs. Hopefully, after the Christmas period and into next year, we're still in with a chance to put a run together and achieve something by the end of the season.

“There's still a lot of games to play. Every team is going to lose matches because it's a very competitive league this year. There's probably nine or ten teams that are realistically thinking that they can reach the playoffs. We have to ensure we're still up there with the top sides, just by being consistent week in, week out.”

Next week, eyes turn to the FA Trophy as Casuals travel to Chesham United's Amy Lane to take on Chalfont St. Peter.

“It's a neutral venue but it's fifteen minutes from their own ground and some of their lads will be local so let's not dress it up - it's still an away game for us. I expect the pitch to be better there than if it was at Chalfont and we want to have another good run in the Trophy.

“I said only a couple of weeks ago that cup games are good if you win them and keep momentum. It's about building on this win today, using this as a benchmark and asking the boys to go and play to that same level. If you can beat that, then whoever we play will be in for a tough afternoon.”

Corinthian-Casuals 4 - 0 Chatham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 13th February 2016
​Match report: Darren Pasley. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)

Casuals moved to a point of the play-off positions with their 2nd win in a week after a stirring second half display saw off Chatham Town at King Georges Arena.
 
James Bracken retained the same starting lineup that had been Guernsey in midweek although last weekend’s goalscorer Shaun Okojie returned to the squad to take a place on the bench.
 
It was credit to a small group of Casuals officials who got together at 11.30 and worked wonders to get the game on. The persistent rain saturating the pitch but an immense effort meant the match went ahead.
 
In truth as a spectacle the first half was as bad as they come. The heavy pitch seeing many passes undercut and a scrappy affair was the theme of the opening period.
 
In the 7th minute Casuals had the ball in the net but Kevant Serbony had strayed beyond the last defender and was correctly flagged offside before he knocked into the path of Emmanuel Akokhia who duly finished.
 
It wasn't until the 34th minute that Casuals produced their first worthy move of note and after the ball was knocked around Danny Dudley on the right saw his low cross gathered by Jack Bradshaw.
 
Serbony took matters into his own hands and after picking the ball up 40 yards out drive menacingly towards goal before unleashing a thunderbolt that flew just wide.
 
With most of the 135 strong crowd looking forward to their half time cuppa, Casuals took the lead 30 seconds before the break.  A clearance from the back found Josh Uzun on the left and a neat bit of skill by the touchline saw him get the better off Richard Davies for the first time and continuing into the box his low centre as cut out but the ball fell invitingly to Akokhia who side-footed home his 2nd goal of the week.
 
As is often the case the visitor’s responses immediately and after a cross from the left was hung up Khari Oriogun may have felt he could have done better than head straight at Bracken.
 
Casuals replaced Josh Uzun with Shaun Okojie at the break and within minutes had doubled their lead. 
 
Ben King brought down by Liam Hickey stepped up to take the kick himself and from 25 yards curled into the top corner despite Bradshaw getting a strong hand to his effort.
 
The early goal lifted the home side and they went dangerously close to adding a third as Warren Morgan showed great skill to send over a cross that just evades strikers and defenders alike before  King rifled just wide following great work from Okojie.
 
The young striker who scored the previous week at Chipstead was so close to notching his 2nd in as many weeks but just failed to divert Dave Hodges fizzing cross from the left.
 
The visitors who barely threatened throughout the contest made a double change and one of those Obasi seemed destined to race clear on goal after the Casuals defence presented him the opportunity but Morgan was back to clear the danger.
 
The contest was over after 72 minutes; Niall Wright's thunderous left-footed effort from 20 yards left Bradshaw with no chance and with it, was an assured three points.

​With particular joy down the right Juevan Spencer was the next to deliver and both Okojie and Akokhia had efforts with the latter nodding over inside the 6-yard box.
 
James Cottee back for his second spell at Casuals impressed coming off the bench and in the 80th minute after waltzing though several challenges saw his drive force Bradshaw into action.
 
A 4th goal was added in the second minute of stoppage time as Morgan again on the right crossed for Okojie who nodded home.
 
James Bracken commented on the performance.
 
“I’m delighted with both the performance and the attitude. There was nothing new other than we put together more passages of play and created more chances, which we took.
 
“There’s been a little shift in confidence in the last couple of games. We always know we’re hard to beat but now there’s also a belief that we can go out and put teams to the sword by scoring a few more goals than we previously have.
 
“We’ll take that into Tuesday night and hopefully pick up three points.
 
“It’s pleasing to score more than one or two goals. Like I’ve said before, we’ve got a good strike force. We’ve got players who can score goals from all over the pitch. Earlier in the season, that was happening. But it all kind of ended up on Mani’s (Emmanuel Akokhia) shoulders and the goals dried up a little.
 
“However, the players we have are of good technical ability and if they get the chances, they should be scoring.
 
“There’s still a lot of games to play. I’m back to where I was at the start of the season by saying I won’t get carried away. We’ll keep ticking them off one at a time and hopefully, come the end of the season, we’ll have put enough wins in the box to go and place ourselves in the playoffs.”
 
Goalscorer Emmanuel Akokhia also spoke on ending his goal drought after scoring two in two games.
 
“I did have a dip in the goalscoring department. I’m not entirely sure why. But I think I’ve found my feet again.
 
“I’m definitely feeling more confident. The goal against Guernsey was what I needed to kick start the goals again. I had a sense of bad luck where a few things wouldn’t go my way, such as goalkeepers making saves wherein another game, it goes in.
 
“But now I can feel the goals coming again.
 
“We’re definitely in a good position but we could’ve been higher up if we look back at games where we’ve let it slip a little but we’ve put that behind us now and we’re looking to reach the playoffs.
 
“Getting that top scorer spot is one of my personal goals and hopefully that’ll happen.”

Chatham Town 1 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 24th October 2015
Maidstone Road
Match report and pics: Stuart Tree (full set of images here)

Corinthian-Casuals’ goalscoring ace, Emmanuel Akokhia made his return after injury and bagged a brace in a gritty win over Chatham Town in the Ryman League Division One South.

The striker, who missed the defeat to Whyteleafe in the week was immediately recalled to the starting XI and goals in the 18th and 84th minute were enough for Corinth to take the three points back to Tolworth and move the Amateurs up to third in the league.

Not only was it important for Casuals to have Akokhia return, the inclusion of Dave Hodges after missing the last two matches through injury was just as vital. A late fitness call saw Warren Morgan sidelined and gave Malaki Field his first start for Casuals this season.

Chatham came into the game on the back of a crushing 7-2 win at Tooting and Mitcham. Confidence was clearly high even if their league position didn’t match it.

It was clear from the off that there would be goals in this encounter. Play was open, flowing and Casuals had set up to use their pace on the counter.

The plan worked; on 18 minutes, Emmanuel Akokhia outran his marker to latch onto a through ball and calmly slotted past Ryan Nicholls in the Chats’ goal for his ninth of the season.

The home side were soon on level terms. Andrew Dallhouse’s cross from the right was met by an outstretched Danny Bracken but in the wet conditions, and under pressure, the keeper couldn’t keep a firm grip on the ball and Kieron McCann was quickest to react, hammering home the equaliser.

Undeterred by the setback, Casuals stuck with their game plan and both Stef Joseph and Akokhia looked to use the counter effectively. Joseph came closest to restoring the lead when his shot beat Nicholls but thumped off the post and back into the arms of the grateful Chat’s stopper.

The second half saw plenty of possession for the home side but without causing Bracken any concern between the sticks. The closest they came was a curling shot which just passed over the bar.

The introduction of Cherno Mendy, Sekou Kaba and Kevant Serbony proved to be effective. The tempo, which had slowed was once again cranked up and Chatham began to feel the pressure. They finally cracked on 84 minutes. A Mendy corner was beautifully met by Akokhia from 8 yards out and his header sailed into the net much to the delight of the travelling Corinth faithful.

Rather than defend deep and play out the time, Casuals looked to further increase their lead. Kevant Serbony with the closest effort after his mazy run ended with Nicholls making a fine save. Akokhia also had a penalty shout waved away.

The win puts Casuals up to third in the league, firmly in the playoff spots.

After the match, Manager James Bracken commented on the match and how proud he is of his side.

“That was a hard fought win today. We’ve shown all the qualities you need to show as a good side; resilience, determination and desire to go and do what’s got to be done to bounce back to winning ways.

“And we deserved a win. I said to the boys today that I couldn’t be more proud of what they’re doing. They’re putting in an absolute shift in every single game.

“Our game plan was slightly different to our normal setup. I knew we’d make changes in the second half, when they were needed and what they would be. They had the impact that I hoped they would.

“It was fantastic to have Mani (Emmanuel) back. We missed him. Mani’s a good player but then again, Stef (Joseph) has led the line again today and done really well. They had a nice little thing going on between them out there.
​
“Yes… Mani is fantastic, but Stef has worn them down over the course of 70 minutes which meant we’ve gone on and won the game. They both get a lot of credit from me as does everyone else behind them who’ve worked their socks off.

Speaking of bouncing back after the two recent defeats, Bracken commented, “We had this a little while ago where we had been on a nice little run and everyone was saying ‘we’re going to win every game’ but you’re not going to win every time. You’re going to get a couple of defeats in there.

“I said to the lads today that I’m the worst loser you’ll ever come across. I’m horrible when I lose. But the feeling I had after the loss to Whyteleafe and Herne Bay was disappointment for the boys because we deserved to win those games. That would’ve put us two points clear at the top of the league. Then I look back at the other games where we’ve dropped points this season and, despite what I said, I think we could’ve won them all.

“So there was a feeling of disappointment when you don’t get a result but my overriding feeling is just pride… proud of what they’re doing. They know that… we’re in it together.”