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

Guildford City 1 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Saturday 9th November 2024
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Report and Photos - Stuart Tree (full set here) 

​“54 points. 54 points” That was the rallying cry in the post-match huddle from Manager Mu Maan to his players signalling the number of points still up for grabs this season.

Minutes before, Casuals had added three to their tally courtesy of a late, late Jerson Dos Santos winner. “He’s arrived” stated Captain Kieron Cadogan following the full time whistle, highlighting the striker’s most important contribution since returning to the club.
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Guildford might feel hard done by the result having got back into the contest late on themselves. 87 minutes on the clock when Casuals defence was finally breached. It was a back line that included two Under-18 lads, David Wloch and Ogbeifun Ojo-Osajie – both part of an unbeaten squad from the youth section, thrust into first team action through a combination of suspensions and Manager Mu Maan having faith in the pathway, after seeing them in action.

Ojo-Osajie was paired with the excellent Arsenii Protsyshyn, who would guide the youngster through the game. But that plan was thrown to the wolves in just the first minute when the Ukrainian’s groin betrayed him. Hakeem Adelakun was hastily brought on and a re-shuffle that saw Marcos Dos Santos take up his old central defensive position caused Casuals to re-think their tactics.

Despite a bright start, Casuals were soon pushed back into their own half. Guildford, who were looking to turn around a three match losing streak had intentions of taking the points on offer. But they couldn’t break the deadlock thanks to some excellent work in goal by Wloch and a resolute back line.

Things came alive in the second half as Casuals vastly improved on their first 45 minutes. Inter-play flowed and quick feet quickened. It paid off. A lovely through ball from Denis Travin to Jonathon Gjoshe saw the wing back fire past Jacob Terry to give Corinth the lead. Travin had been a menace all afternoon and only when he was substituted, did Guildford stopper, Terry give a passing compliment to the midfielder, “I’m glad you’re off the field now… well played.”

Terry was also confident that his side would score and his prediction came true in the 87th minute. Jake Brown was finally able to penetrate a defence that had only conceded twice in the previous four games. A blow for Casuals who felt that their second half performance was worthy of more. Terry celebrated like Guildford had won the World Cup and as seen a number of times already this season, playing in front of a sizeable supporting contingent can lead to some players being… ahem… over-exuberant.

But it bit him in the backside deep into stoppage time. Gjoshe turned provider in the 94th minute when his cross found Jerson Dos Santos twelve yards out who steered home an excellent finish to send the away fans into delirium and leave egg on the keeper’s face.
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Casuals can take pride in this squad, now bolstered by an excellent Under-18s setup that has proven they can mix it with the best Mu and his management team have to offer. Fans have grown to know, and more importantly, love this group of players and the hugs given out at the end shows just how much a turnaround this club has had from last season.