Combined Counties League Premier Division South
Tuesday 8th October 2024
Report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)
“Hard work… commitment… to a man”. That was Manager Mu Maan’s first words after the full time whistle had blown at a soggy Knaphill on Tuesday night following the 1-1 draw.
Maan was looking for a reaction following a dismal showing in the 4-1 loss at home to Cobham in Casuals last outing. And that’s what he got. In conditions so often seen as a dampener on proceedings, there was no apathy on this evening. It was a sentiment shared by Maan’s opposite number in the Knaphill dugout – Manager Mike Woolgar decreed that it was an entertaining game and “the quality from both sides was really good, in conditions far from ideal.”
Several changes came about from the Cobham loss including the absence of captain Reyon Dillon but fans welcomed the return of Warren Morgan and Marcos Dos Santos at Centre Back as well as the lively energy of Diogo Da Silva in the middle of the park.
The general consensus amongst supporters was that Corinth were a completely different animal tonight, even after just a few minutes on the clock. You could tell the energy was different almost immediately. Da Silva’s curling 20 yard free kick was the notably closest chance which forced the first of a number of fine saves from highly-rated stopper Sam Gray, who provided a vital last line of defence against the Casuals attack all night.
Approaching the half-hour mark and in the space of thirty seconds, the referee, Matthew Funnell played his part in proceedings; Showing Knaphill leniency from a trip in the box on Shea Cascoe-Rogers, the home side broke quickly and a loose ball across the box saw keeper Mo Maan commit a foul on the Knapper’s forward and thus Funnell pointed to the spot, where Kingsley Anokye dispatched to give the home side the lead. Two pivotal penalty decisions – both gone against Casuals. Despite Kieron Cadogan hitting the post, Corinth went in at half time one down.
But it didn’t take long for Casuals to be back in the game following the break. Fans were still emerging from the clubhouse when Cheklit’s shot was parried over the bar, and the subsequent corner from Da Silva swung hard and fast at the near post. It was Dos Santos who met the troublesome cross first, forcing the ball over the line and spurring Casuals onto a comeback.
Maan’s side aren’t accustomed to sharing the points this season and they looked as though they weren’t satisfied with doing that here. Kieron’s neat turn and shot was once again thwarted by Gray. Cascoe’s cut-across shot zipped past the base of the post. Da Silva’s lob couldn’t quite come down fast enough when Gray was finally beaten. And so the points were shared. Casuals will take plenty of positives from a much improved performance against a side third in the league.
“Hard work, commitment… to a man. It was a great performance”, said Manager Mu Maan after the match. “Everyone played for each other and there was a real sense of togetherness. I genuinely feel we deserved to win that game. Their keeper has made four or five great saves.
“Most importantly, we got a reaction from last Saturday. That’s what I wanted because the last game wasn’t good enough and we all know that. But the boys have come along here on a wet Tuesday night and put in a great shift and our fans deserve that.
“Now we need to build on this and look for three points in Jersey.”