Corinthian-Casuals 2 - 0 Chelmsford City
Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Saturday 21st September 2019
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree
Corinthian-Casuals made it to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1983 with a convincing win over National League South opposition Chelmsford City.
Goals either side of half time from Nat Pinney and Shaun Okojie was enough to see off Rod Stringer’s Clarets and put James Bracken’s side into the hat for the draw on Monday.
It could’ve been a very different game after one minute on the clock, when Chelmsford were awarded a penalty in the opening exchanges. However, stand-in keeper Mazza Ugradar had other ideas and his first touch of the ball as a Casuals player kept out Jeffers’ spot kick.
Casuals lapped up plenty of Chelmsford’s forward play and despite the visitors hitting the post, it was Corinth who first broke the deadlock. A cross from the right was handled in the box and a penalty awarded to the home side. Nat Pinney – who continues his record of scoring against Chelmsford on every occasion he’s faced them, planted his effort in the bottom corner.
Now on the ascendancy, Casuals nearly made it two, when Okojie forced a fine stop from keeper Pentney.
With just a one goal lead, the tie was finely balanced. Kev Serbony smashed a shot into the side netting and at the other end, Andy Fennell’s effort was pushed away by Ugradar.
Casuals extended their lead on 64 minutes when Okojie robbed Pentney of the ball and rolled the ball along the byline and into an empty net to give his side a two goal lead.
Expecting a comeback from Chelmsford, it never really came and Casuals looked the more likely to extend their lead. Warren Morgan’s low effort was well kept out and Mu Maan flashed a drive just over the bar. Andy Mills and Matty Bakare were also denied good opportunities nearing the end.
Overall, it was a pleasing performance from Bracken’s side who will surely look to replicate their cup form into the league next Saturday against Potters Bar Town. We’d like to wish all the best to Chelmsford City for the rest of the season.
“It was the worst possible start from our point of view,” said James Bracken after the match. “A needless challenge went in and led to a penalty. Inside 30 seconds against higher league opposition is not what you want.”
“But what a save. When we looked back at the footage, you’ll see what a great stop it was.”
“Fair play to him, he’s come in and done us a proper job. I said to him before the game, ‘you’ve got an opportunity with no pressure. All you can be is a hero. Just go and enjoy it.’ He showed maturity out there. I’m really pleased for him.
“It got us going. It gave us spark. Perhaps it was just the catalyst for the whole performance.
“We done our homework on Chelmsford. I think they under-estimated us too. They under-estimated me, my staff and the depth we go into to get the victory. It worked for us. We’ve put in the hours analysing, working in training to prepare for this. We knew it would be tin helmets – as many balls into our box as they could throw.
“After we scored, we’ve eaten up every one of their attacks. The boys had the bit between their teeth and had something to hold onto. I thought they were immense. Everyone put in a shift. Our shape changed towards the end, to combat how they set-up and it nullified anything they did. It was thoroughly professional.
“We’ve won two of the last three now and we could’ve been ahead before we went behind at Enfield last week. We’re in every game. Sometimes the results don’t go your own way in spells. Sometimes they do. We might play poor later in the season and string five wins on the spin. That’s football.”
Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Saturday 21st September 2019
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree
Corinthian-Casuals made it to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1983 with a convincing win over National League South opposition Chelmsford City.
Goals either side of half time from Nat Pinney and Shaun Okojie was enough to see off Rod Stringer’s Clarets and put James Bracken’s side into the hat for the draw on Monday.
It could’ve been a very different game after one minute on the clock, when Chelmsford were awarded a penalty in the opening exchanges. However, stand-in keeper Mazza Ugradar had other ideas and his first touch of the ball as a Casuals player kept out Jeffers’ spot kick.
Casuals lapped up plenty of Chelmsford’s forward play and despite the visitors hitting the post, it was Corinth who first broke the deadlock. A cross from the right was handled in the box and a penalty awarded to the home side. Nat Pinney – who continues his record of scoring against Chelmsford on every occasion he’s faced them, planted his effort in the bottom corner.
Now on the ascendancy, Casuals nearly made it two, when Okojie forced a fine stop from keeper Pentney.
With just a one goal lead, the tie was finely balanced. Kev Serbony smashed a shot into the side netting and at the other end, Andy Fennell’s effort was pushed away by Ugradar.
Casuals extended their lead on 64 minutes when Okojie robbed Pentney of the ball and rolled the ball along the byline and into an empty net to give his side a two goal lead.
Expecting a comeback from Chelmsford, it never really came and Casuals looked the more likely to extend their lead. Warren Morgan’s low effort was well kept out and Mu Maan flashed a drive just over the bar. Andy Mills and Matty Bakare were also denied good opportunities nearing the end.
Overall, it was a pleasing performance from Bracken’s side who will surely look to replicate their cup form into the league next Saturday against Potters Bar Town. We’d like to wish all the best to Chelmsford City for the rest of the season.
“It was the worst possible start from our point of view,” said James Bracken after the match. “A needless challenge went in and led to a penalty. Inside 30 seconds against higher league opposition is not what you want.”
“But what a save. When we looked back at the footage, you’ll see what a great stop it was.”
“Fair play to him, he’s come in and done us a proper job. I said to him before the game, ‘you’ve got an opportunity with no pressure. All you can be is a hero. Just go and enjoy it.’ He showed maturity out there. I’m really pleased for him.
“It got us going. It gave us spark. Perhaps it was just the catalyst for the whole performance.
“We done our homework on Chelmsford. I think they under-estimated us too. They under-estimated me, my staff and the depth we go into to get the victory. It worked for us. We’ve put in the hours analysing, working in training to prepare for this. We knew it would be tin helmets – as many balls into our box as they could throw.
“After we scored, we’ve eaten up every one of their attacks. The boys had the bit between their teeth and had something to hold onto. I thought they were immense. Everyone put in a shift. Our shape changed towards the end, to combat how they set-up and it nullified anything they did. It was thoroughly professional.
“We’ve won two of the last three now and we could’ve been ahead before we went behind at Enfield last week. We’re in every game. Sometimes the results don’t go your own way in spells. Sometimes they do. We might play poor later in the season and string five wins on the spin. That’s football.”
RSS Feed