Corinthian-Casuals 3 - 2 East Grinstead Town
Bostik League South
Saturday 23rd December 2017
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)

​Corinthian-Casuals secured three points in a dramatic finale which saw Nathan Daly’s shot deflected home in the 96th minute against East Grinstead Town.
 
Twice, the home side were pegged back from taking the lead, but scoring with the last kick of the game ensured that couldn’t happen for a third time.
 
Whilst James Bracken hasn’t had the easiest run of results in the past month, three wins in the last four matches sees Casuals potentially emerge from a sticky situation relatively unscathed.
 
The addition of Harry Ottaway and Frazer Walker to Corinth can only bolster a squad ravaged by injuries. 37 games between August and Christmas has certainly taken its toll on Casuals and many other clubs dealing with an arduous schedule.
 
Harry Ottaway, scorer on his debut in the Velocity Trophy win on Tuesday made his home debut appearance as well as Frazer Walker, taking his place in a makeshift defensive line-up.
 
Casuals could feel confident of a victory after the 5-0 win at East Grinstead’s GAC Stadium back in August. Matt Longhurst’s side hasn’t really progressed from that point, occupying 3rd from bottom going into the match. As many attest, anyone can beat anyone in this league and the Wasps have proven that already beating Casuals’ Boxing Day opponents Carshalton Athletic back in October.
 
Any fears of a repeat were allayed in just the seventh minute when Ottaway converted a whipped in Gabriel Odunaike cross to give the home crowd plenty to cheer.
 
Cheers turned to tears just four minutes later when a defensive mix-up caused Marcus Elliott to score one of the easiest goals he’ll grab this season.
 
It wasn’t long before Casuals were ahead again. On 26 minutes, a cleared corner fell to Max Oldham 25 yards out and catching the keeper off his line, beautifully-lobbed Dan Smith to re-take the lead. It was one of those shots that you knew was in the moment it was struck.
 
To calm nerves, Casuals needed a third and continually probed the Grinstead goal. Ottaway came closest when his improvised effort hit the crossbar.
 
The third never came and on the hour mark, Grinstead were back in it, courtesy of Charlie Postance, who fired home into the opposite corner after a small spell of pressure.
 
Nerves frayed as time ticked on. A scuffle on the touchline saw one from each side sent to the stands, though the delay in sorting the melee was to prove vital. Six minutes added time was indicated and going into the fifth of those minutes, Josh Uzun whipped in a free kick that was tipped round the post by keeper Smith. The resulting corner saw Jack Strange flick on the ball to Nathan Daly who stuck out a leg to fire home. His effort, possibly going wide was made sure of finding the net when Steven Springett’s outstretched limb deflected the ball past Smith. Scenes followed as Grinstead lay dejected whilst Casuals celebrated their vital last gasp winner.
 
The win leaves Casuals in third, only on goal difference and three points off top spot. Casuals make the short trip to fourth-placed Carshalton on Boxing Day.
 
“That was very sweet,” said Bracken after the match.  “How we’ve got ourselves in a 2-2 game, I don’t know. Our performance today was far superior to anything we’ve done over the past half dozen games.
 
“We ground a result out in the week, going through on penalties which gave us a boost. Couple of boys made their debut and done well. Had a couple return too which is pleasing.
 
“A few of the boys in the changing room have said you’d rather win 3-2 in that manner than win 5-0 and feel a bit flat at the end as if you’ve not been challenged. We’ll take the positives out of it and enjoy that… just before Christmas, too.
 
“Tough test on Boxing Day at Carshalton but let’s get this right, it’s a tough test for them too. It’ll be a good game. Peter (Adeniyi – Carshalton Manager) likes to play good football on their 3G pitch. It’ll suit us too – we’ve only got good footballers. I don’t have players who’ll just run around kicking people up in the air. That’s not my philosophy. I want us to play the way the game should be played.
 
“We have enough boys who know what they need to do to perform. It’ll be a good game! Who’ll win? Whoever turns up on the day and takes their chances. I’m confident though. We’re always confident. That can get knocked when you haven’t got the results but we have to remember, our sticky patch included some good draws away. The 2-2 at Sittingbourne and coming from behind at Thamesmead twice isn’t to be rubbished. Okay – it’s not good enough but we have had 11 to 12 players out, consistently, every game for the last eight weeks. We’ve done what we can but now with one or two new lads in and one or two back, you’ll really see us fire again.
 
“The amazing thing is we’re still right in the mix. We’ve not been as good. Our strength in depth has been severely tested. They’re all doing their best though, as I always will.
 
“I’m pleased though. When you have a tough run, it can go one of two ways; either roll your sleeves up and get on with it or you shrivel up and die. After the Chipstead game, where they got back to 2-2 and lost, the same could’ve easily happened today. But that was never in danger. If anyone was going to win it, that was us. We’ve left it late but I don’t think anyone could say we didn’t deserve it. If they did, they’d be looking through Grinstead goggles.”

East Grinstead 2 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 20th September 2016
Match report: Darren Pasley. Pics: Andy Nunn (full set here)

Four points from two away games was the result on Tuesday evening as Casuals were held by a spirited and tricky East Grinstead who defied their lowly league position.

On a ground that they are still to win on Casuals handed a rare start to Shaun Brown and the young striker forced an early corner which from the resulting delivery saw Jack Strange send a free header wide.

It was clear from an early stage that the hosts defence would be in for a tough evening with Kevant Serbony the next to nearly profit from hesitation in the back line. On this occasion the ball was cleared to safety.

Skipper Callum Emptage saw yellow inside the first 5 minutes for a nasty tackle on Josh Uzun as the visitors made all the early running.

Following a series of shots that were blocked, Casuals took the lead in the 19th minute when Maz Bettache from out on the left touchline swung a deep delivery onto the head of an unmarked Shaun Brown who expertly guided the ball home. It was a deserved lead and Casuals looked to add to this straight away. Firstly keeper Al-Drouni fumbled Josh Uzun's shot with a defender saving his blushes and then Kevant Serbony brought the best out of the stopper with a fierce drive from 30 yards which was kept out.

Despite the early dominance the hosts equalised out of the blue in the 26th minute when from the right wing Danny Bracken had kept out Elliot’s header brilliantly, the rebound was tapped home by Tashi-Jay Kwayie.

Casual’s response was immediate and within 90 seconds had regained the lead. Shaun Brown this time the creator getting to the by-line with a burst of pace and the oncoming Juevan Spencer slotted home from 6 yards.

The visitors continued to create chances with Spencer again twice going close. Firstly lifting a lob over keeper Al-Droubi which fell just the wrong side of the post before having a shot on the turn well held by the home keeper.

Kevant Serbony stuck the outside of the post with another curling effort before the home side squared matters just before the break.

Jamie Byatt upended Travis Gregory who showed a fine touch to bring the ball down and burst into the area and from the spot Marcus Elliott made no mistake.

The second period saw Jamie Byatt glance a header just wide from a Shaun Brown cross but it was clear the home side had taken confidence from going in level at the interval and they emerged a much tougher proposition.

Former Tottenham youngster Laste Dombaxe curled a free kick just wide with Danny Bracken flying across his goal and the Casuals skipper had to get down smartly to foil Gaggin’s near post effort.

James Bracken introduced top scorer Shaun Okojie and Jordan Clarke from the bench and it was the latter who nearly made an immediate impact but smashed his effort just wide on the hour.

The substitutes were to combine shortly afterwards and this time Okojie saw a goal-bound effort blocked whilst at the other end Elliot was inches away from putting East Grinstead in front for the first time.

With the home side looking the more likely to push for the winner the appearance of Josh Gallagher spurred Casuals on and both Byatt and Clarke had efforts just wide as the visitors finished strongly.

ASsthe game approached injury time, Dombaxe who had made a real impact from the bench saw an effort well kept out by Bracken following smart improvisation to get the shot away.

A well-earned point which was probably a fair reflection of an entertaining match.

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 East Grinstead Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 2nd April 2016
Report by Cameron Smith. Photos by Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)
 
Shaun Okojie scored a scrappy 89th minute winner to secure all three points against East Grinstead Town on a sunny afternoon in Tolworth.
 
Okojie, who scored five goals in five games last month, was inevitably chosen to frighten the East Grinstead defence alongside usual partner Jamie Byatt. The absent Danny Dudley was replaced at centre-back by Ben King while Josh Uzun was introduced at the expense of James Cottee on the left wing. The visitors, who have gained confidence in hope of advancing above their dangerous 21st position (one spot from the relegation zone) after a victory over Guernsey on Easter Monday, hoped to take valuable points away from play-off hopefuls Casuals.
 
Lacking a proven source of creativity, the first half was frustrating as chances went by, not taken. The inclusion of Uzun however, gave Casuals life when a powerful effort kept Grinstead goalkeeper Jack Howard on his toes. It was not just Casuals having half-chances as the away side thought they should have been awarded a penalty after Ben King lunged in on a Wasps forward. However, the referee consulted the linesman and gave a goal-kick, much to the relief of deputy King. As half-time lingered, both teams needed to change their approach in this disjointed affair.
 
Created by Juevan Spencer, Casuals kick-started the second half with a flowing move ending in Okojie firing a brutal shot horrendously wide of the gaping net. Another beautifully worked move, Jamie Byatt headed in a trademark Spencer cross, which resulted in crazy celebrations from the well-spirited crowd behind the goal. Jubilance was short-lived as the linesman flagged the goal offside and stamped on the Casuals parade. Niall Wright was gifted a rare opportunity to grab headlines as a block set the midfielder up for a shot but the ball somehow ended up in the car park! In the 77th minute, Emil Salama made tremendous impact from the substitutes bench with a lightning shot cannoning off the crossbar much to the disappointment of the faithful Casuals supporters.
 
Nevertheless, Casuals continued to make chances and did not give up- even in the 89th minute. Shaun Okojie netted his thirteenth of the season with a header from one yard out in a perplexing goal-line scramble. The goal-scorer was thrown to the floor by his team-mates in ecstatic scenes.
 
A devastating loss for the respectable East Grinstead contingent, they still hover just outside the drop zone. Meanwhile, Casuals sit in seventh, four points of play-off heaven. More points hope to be consumed in the mid-week fixture at home to Carshalton Athletic and I predict that it will be a goal-fest.
 
After the match, Manager James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree.
 
 “We deserved to have that game won well before that last minute winner today. That’s probably as an important goal as we’ve had all season.
 
“We’ve had that determination and work-rate about us all year. It would’ve been very easy for us to feel sorry for ourselves in the last ten minutes and settle for the fact that it wasn’t going to be our day, but we didn’t – we kept going and playing until the final whistle.  
 
“We got our just rewards. I said to the lads, if you’re going to be successful and win things, you need to have that resolve about you as a team and they certainly did today.
 
“We’ve picked up three wins out of three which is what we’ve needed to do. Realistically, we’ve got to pick up another three wins out of the last four games as an absolute minimum. More than likely, we’ll need to win all four. But if we keep playing like we are then that will happen.
 
“We’ve had a good squad all season. In fact it’s probably been too good. Over the last couple of months, it’s evolved and one or two have gone for different reasons and we’ve tightened up the squad a little ready for the final run-in. We have that in the changing room now and that’s why we’ve won three out of the last three.”

East Grinstead Town 1-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman Division One South
Saturday 21st  November 2015
Attendance: 95
Match report: Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree (view full set here)

"We’re not too downbeat. Obviously, we want to win but you can’t win them all" said Manager James Bracken after Casuals drew 1-1 at East Grinstead.

Despite their lowly position and failure to win at home this season the hosts were more than a useful side and it was clear to see why they had picked up their form of late albeit on their travels.

Stef Joseph started up front against his old side whilst the returning Michael Salako took a place on the bench as Casuals looked to get back on track following Wednesdays disappointing second 45 at Ramsgate.

The visitors made the perfect start as Juevan Spencer opened the scoring in the 4th minute. After Joseph had driven at the Wasps back line, his knock back was swung in first time on the left by Dave Hodges and after Tom Carlse had failed to head clear, the Casuals winger picked up the ball, skipped past the hapless fullback and fired low across Nic Taylor to open the scoring. (pictured above)

Casuals nearly made it 2 in the 7th minute when after Kevant Serbony and Cherno Mendy linked well in the centre of the park Spencer again on the right popped up, this time sending in a low cross for Emmanuel Akokhia but George Benner recovered to make a goal saving block.

The magnificent piece of defending was to prove pivotal as in the 12th minute the hosts equalised. A well practiced short corner was worked to the edge of the box where skipper Callum Emptage rifled into the top right hand corner.

The game was remarkably open with huge spaces for either side to exploit and it seemed only a matter of time before one took the lead. On 22 minutes Hassan Jalloh curled into Brackens arms after good hold up-play from Melford Simpson. The ex-South Kilburn and Shoreham gigantic centre forward was starting to influence the game with his sheer physical presence.

Yacine Gnahore shot wide after Brackens clearance held up in the wind as it appeared the home side had settled after their poor opening. On 26 minutes, a good move from the home side saw Leo Mazzone blast over after a low cross from Jallow was only stabbed clear.

The next 10 minutes the saw Casuals on top as the game continue to see-saw.  Joseph instigating a move with his power in the centre and after finding Mendy the resulting cross just evaded Akokhia.

Mendy nearly provided again moments later but his cross just evaded the head of Spencer and on the stroke of half time Akokhia beat keeper Taylor to Dave Hodges cross but Benner was again on-hand to clear off the line.

The second half in contrast was a much tighter affair but there was an early shout for a penalty for the hosts as Simpson tumbled to the ground to no avail.

Early pressure from Casuals from set pieces was causing problems for the home defence but without reward. 
Mendy had a shot just shy of the hour which was well held by Taylor not for the first time.

Substitute Hassan Ibrahim blasted a good chance over after the ball fell kindly from a corner before Stef Joseph forced Taylor into an acrobatic save tipping over his header from Sekou Kaba’s cross.

With 12 minutes remaining the home side had a huge call for a goal as Gillingham loanee Greg Cundle embarked on a run from half way and after blasting from 20 yards out his shot cannoned off the under side of the bar and appeared to bounce over the line. Fortune favoured Casuals as play on was the call and they somehow scrambled clear the rebound as the home side sensed a first home win.

Danny Dudley made a great block to deny Cundle but the last 10 minutes saw Casuals regain possession and Taylor had to be at his best to deny Mendy with a flying save to preserve his sides point.

James Bracken spoke after the much- starting with how tight it is getting around the play off positions.

“This league is really tight. When we were sitting in top spot and even second, you didn’t see me getting carried away and you won’t see me getting carried away now.

“I said to the lads weeks ago, at some point this season, we will go and win eight, nine or ten games in a row. We will. Whether they’ll see it coming or not, I know that’s coming and the lads will say ‘you were right’. We will have that run and when we do, you’ll see us hopefully put some distance between us and others in the playoffs.

“I was pleased with the performance, the attitude and the endeavour today” said Bracken after the match. “It was a completely different game in the first half compared to the second half. First half was so open with lots of chances. Second half, we controlled most of it in a territorial sense.

“We’re not too downbeat. Obviously, we want to win but you can’t win them all.

Speaking of the re-signing of Michael Salako – who returns to Corinthian-Casuals from Tooting and Mitcham, initially on a month loan, Bracken said,

“Joe (Davies – Assistant Manager) mentioned Michael to me and said he’s available. I’ve looked at the squad immediately for today’s match and Matt Reece was unavailable, Shaun Okojie is injured and I wanted to go with the front two that I went with. I felt we didn’t have a forward on the bench and Michael want’s to come in and try to force his way into our plans, then I’m more than willing to have a look at him.

“His goals per minute ratio is probably up there with others in the league. He scored four in four at Tooting but got dropped when Jamie Byatt signed for them, which was unfortunate for Mike. I know previously when he was here at Casuals, he got two on his debut and was dropped in the next match. But I’ll try to be fair with him. If he scores goals, plays well and does a job for the team, then the shirt can be his.”

 Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 East Grinstead Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 4th April 
Report by Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree
Att: 147

“They’ve got to take a long hard look at themselves. A pat on the back isn’t far away from a kick up the backside… and that’s what they needed today” was Matt Howards stern assessment as Casuals went down to a late Ricky Freeman winner for relegation threatened East Grinstead Town.

It completed the double for the Wasps over Casuals and gave them a much needed 3 points with other clubs around them picking up points over the weekend.

Casuals without the usual Central defence pairing of skipper Joe Hicks and Danny Dudley moved fullback Danny Green alongside Andy Mills. There were also returns for Jake Gill and Mason Welch-Turner following the midweek defeat at Three Bridges.

Jamie Byatt had the games first effort with a glancing header after getting across his marker and the same player hit the bar in the 12th minute following Juevan Spencer’s right wing cross.

Baff Addae East Grinstead's match winner in the midweek win over South Park had his side’s first effort after a quarter of an hour but volleyed harmlessly over from fully 30 yards.

Almost immediately Casuals nearly took the lead with the bar again to the rescue of the visitors.
After Welch-Turner showed a brilliant touch and vision down the left to free Hodges the resulting cross was expertly hooked goalwards by Byatt with the ball cannoning back off the bar. The rebound was blocked on the line before the ball was scrambled clear for a corner.

Addae continued to present the only threat to the home makeshift defence but on several occasions to the frustrations of his teammates he elected to shoot with others better placed.

The first half was a poor spectacle with most opportunities arriving from mistakes rather than any craft or guile. Marc Cumberbatch coming closest with a volley that was deflected just wide.

 In the 36th minute Addae was denied by the strong outstretched arm of Danny Bracken after cutting inside and firing off an effort.

The second period saw Byatt once again thwarted early on as this time, keeper Seb Bos managed to divert the striker’s effort wide after a neat turn and shot.

In the 53rd minute East Grinstead took the lead with Casuals once again causing their own problems.
The danger seemed to be averted after Tom Carlse elected to cross instead of shoot but Mills inadvertently knocked the ball back into the path of Richmond Kissi who curled the ball round Bracken for the games opener.

Casuals response was instant and within 90 seconds had level with a contender for goal of the season.
Maz Bettache broke through the middle and feed Dave Hodges down the left. Despite being 20 yards out at an angle the winger looked up and delivered a perfect chip over Bos to bring the scores level, It was a brilliant bit of skill and brought a rare moment of quality to an otherwise dour game.

As in the first half neither side failed to take hold of the game and only half chances were served at either end.
Perhaps the best fell with 15 minutes remaining when Spencer knocked the ball back into the danger area where substitute Aaron Smith-Joseph hit a weak effort wide despite being in plenty of space inside the box.

Spencer himself came close to getting on the scoresheet when following a goalmouth scramble his effort squirmed under Bos but was cleared off the line by John Sinclair as the visitors dug in looking for a vital point.

Indeed the final stages of match saw the side who are battling for the lives at their debut step 4 season look to take all 3 and substitute Ricky Freeman saw a curled effort brilliantly held  by Bracken with 4 minutes remaining.

Freeman on his debut was not to be denied however and with 3 minutes remaining he tapped home the winner after Emiliano Hysi had done brilliantly to get to the byline and cut back the ball.

Casuals only response was another Hodges effort deep into stoppage time but on this occasion Seb Bos gratefully clutched onto the ball.

Post match Matt Howard commented

“Defensively, I didn’t think we were in any trouble today. Attacking wise, Jamie Byatt’s hit the bar twice. If they go in, we’re 2-0 up at half time and it’s a different game. But if you don’t take your chances when you’re on top, then you run the risk of losing.

“After going 1-0 down, we got the goal back straight away and I thought ‘okay – worst case scenario is we’ll get a point’.

“But there were errors all over the pitch and I’m really disappointed. That’s three points dropped.

“We’re in a funny situation at this club where we were safe with nine games to go. That’s been a while since that’s happened. I hope the players haven’t switched off because of that.  

“I’m really disappointed but on the flipside, we’ve had a great season. As a group of players, we’ve been looking up the table rather than looking over our shoulder for pretty much most of the season.

“At the end of the season, with 46 games played, the league table doesn’t lie. If we finish 12th or 13th, that’s where we deserve to be”.

“We have players with aspirations of playing at a higher level, yet they’re only performing as a mid-table side. If you don’t pull up trees at this level, you’re not stepping up to the next.

 Stuart Trees pictures can be viewed here .

East Grinstead Town 4-1 Corinthian Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 20th December 2014
Attendance: 89
Report: Darren Pasley

Casuals worrying away form continued as they went down 4-1 at lowly East Grinstead Town on Saturday.

With Joe Hicks still sitting out his suspension Nial Wright partnered Danny Dudley in the centre of defence whilst there were recalls for Dave Hodges and Mahrez Bettache

Kicking off down the slope Casuals looked to take advantage of what from the first whistle appeared to be a nervy and error ridden home defence.  

After Freddie Barker had the games first effort with a low shot for the home side Casuals opened the scoring with their first meaningful attack in the 11th minute.

Ross Defoe operating at left back showed good footwork and vision to release Hodges down the left hand side. His cut back found Juevan Spencer who after exchanging passes with Jake Gill delightfully played in Jamie Byatt who curled the ball inside the far post. 

Almost immediately Byatt nearly doubled the lead, after being set free his low shot clipped the outside of the post before deflecting clear.  In the grand scheme of things it turned out to be a pivotal moment as the hosts swept upfield and after debutant Stefan Joseph won a corner the resulting kick saw Casuals fail to clear, leaving Barker to stab home from close range.

At the other end keeper Steele was causing the home fans panic every time he came near the ball with a display of poor handling and woeful kicking. 

Bettache tried his luck from distance in the 17th minute but the effort flew over the bar.

The home side continued to present chances to the visitors and in the 20th minute Byatt after chasing down Sinclair saw Steele’s clearance rebound off him and fall invitingly. However the striker sent the chance well wide of the target.

In the 29th minute skipper Marc Cumberbatch saw a header from a corner saved by Bracken. It was a warning of what was to follow.

Steele came to his sides rescue shortly afterwards by foiling the onrushing Byatt as Hodges pass split the back two open.

The keeper was to present Casuals with one further opportunity as the half grew to a close, this time flapping Hodges high cross but with Spencer seemingly on cue to finish off the winger somehow missed the ball to let the home side off.

It proved costly as almost immediately following a free kick out wide Cumberbatch rose highest to nod past Bracken from 8 yards.

The second period saw Dave Hodges create Casuals first opening as he arrived on the end of Wrights driven free kick but after centring the ball the home side scrambled clear.

The visitors continued to apply the pressure and on the hour Byatt was inches away from equalising as he nodded Hodges cross just wide.

As in the first half after going close the home side took full advantage. This time substitute Dan Stewarts shot seemed harmless enough from the edge of the area but looped perfectly over Bracken after deflecting off the outstretched leg of Nial Wright.

The home side were now in full control with ex Guildford City striker Joseph dominating the Casuals back line. 

He had a hand in his sides 4th with 15 minutes remaining.

After powering his way too the byline his cross was headed clear but only as far as Romario Hart whose half volley deflected off Dudley and wrong-footed Bracken. It summed up the visitor’s afternoon where it seemed nothing had gone their way.

Matt Howard threw on Cisse for the final quarter of an hour and it sparked Casuals best period of the half. The substitute himself flashing a shot just wide before Byatt was denied twice in quick succession by Steele

The keeper for all his faults in the first half was having a fine second and kept out Gills 20 yard effort with an unorthodox leg block. Bettache was last to try his  luck but the ball flew high into the night sky and shortly afterwards the completion of a frustrating 90 minutes.