Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 1 Lewes
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 27th August 2022
Report and Pics: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)
Additional photos from Andy Nunn here.

Corinthian-Casuals and Lewes played out a gritty one-all draw with both sides believing they could’ve had all three points.

Lewes pinned Casuals back in their own half for large parts of the game with Sami Nabbad being the busier of the keepers. But conversely, Corinth will feel they missed a vital chance at 1-0 when Tayo Oyebola only needed to beat Rooks stopper Lewis Carey to seal the win.

Casuals boss Tony Reid rotated his squad in anticipation for two games in 48 hours, with Aveley away on the Monday. First starts for Ayuub Ali, Charlie Edwards and Eli Simpson saw a shuffling of the pack across the park.

Lewes came into the match unbeaten and with a squad brimming with talent and an eagerness to better their campaign last season. It won’t be a surprise to anyone to see Tony Russell’s side at the business end of the league table come April.

They started the brighter of the sides with fluid passing and movement, keeping the Casuals back line on their toes. It was a pattern that continued for the ninety minutes, yet it was the home side who struck first, with their only real chance of the half. A counter saw the ball fed out wide and the cross found Ben Cheklit in the box who swivelled and shot low into the bottom corner, leaving Carey flat-footed.

Nabbad was called into action on a number of occasions, not least in the second half, working a number of fine stops. When he was beaten, the crossbar came to his rescue on two occasions, one crashing off the underside but clear of the goal-line. Chances such as those often indicate that it’ll be your day. It almost was, when Tayo Oyebola dispossessed a Rooks defender to leave himself with just Carey to beat, but was unable to convert the golden chance to kill the game.

Alas, with minutes to go and under relentless pressure, Casuals cracked when Joe Taylor, from the byline, smashed in a cross which Jack Tucker could only divert into his own net. Lewes went for the kill with Michael Abnett heading their best chance clear off the line.

And so it remained a draw, with both Managers believing they should’ve had more. Casuals will be pleased to have taken a point from one of the pre-season favourites and maintain their good start to this Isthmian League Premier Division campaign.
 
“We really should’ve taken the game to them when we went 1-0 up”, said Reid after the match. “We should’ve stopped worrying about what they were doing and concentrate on our own play. We showed that a little more in the second half when we pressed from the front and robbed the ball from them in defensive areas on a couple of occasions.

“We’d let their Centre Halves have too much time on the ball, allowing them the space to play to the centre. We weren’t engaging. They were able to easily find Razz Coleman-De-Graft too often, who is clearly their danger man. We cancelled that out and started to play our own game. Take nothing away from Lewes, they are a good side. We got rolled too easily for our own goal and we got too cute against a very well established striker.

“But we’re learning about ourselves a lot. We’ve been together for a couple of months. I said to the boys, keep believing in yourselves, the formula, the system and stop worrying about other teams.

“We’re scoring goals and creating opportunities. It could’ve been very different had Tayo taken his chance. We do this in training, we do this in the warm-ups, but it can be different in the game. He just needs to compose himself and we go 2-0 up.

“I went with some experience in the side today. The older heads showed good composure and they helped the younger lads out. They’re starting to communicate a lot better. They pushed their line higher up the pitch and we condensed it better in the final third.

“But we competed against a very good side. When you can bring players on that have scored 30 plus goals and those who’ve played for Brighton, it asks tough questions of you. But we need to show that we can ask questions of the opposition too.

“I gave credit to the boys for getting that point against Lewes who have high expectations and exceptional resources.

“The only game I look back on is the draw at Haringey where we threw away a two goal lead. We should’ve had three points there and suddenly, we’re in the mix at the top of the table. We’ll look to get three points at Aveley and then it’s into the FA Cup. I’m pleased we were able to rotate the side with confidence. They didn’t shy away from the challenge either. They all want to play and have been knocking on the door. Some of them got their opportunity and they didn’t disappoint. It’s a competition between themselves. We’ll likely need to rotate again for Monday as that was a tough game out there. But we’ll look to keep momentum too.”

Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 0 Lewes
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 26th February 2022
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set of pics here)

Corinthian-Casuals bounced back from a midweek 5-0 defeat in the League Cup to stifle playoff hopefuls Lewes in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
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It was Casuals first league clean sheet since November and was welcomed by Manager James Bracken after shipping a number of goals in recent games.

It was a tough ask against high-flying Lewes who had only lost once in eight league games and with Joe Taylor in their line-up, scorer of 25 goals already this season, keeping the Rooks out looked unlikely.

But taking the game to the visitors never allowed them to settle or impose themselves. At the end of ninety minutes, it would be Casuals supporters who felt more aggrieved that they hadn’t won the game.

It was a delight to see former Casual Juevan Spencer back at King George’s too and enjoyed his individual battles with ex-teammate Ben Cheklit all afternoon. Knowing each other’s game so well, it was intriguing who would get the best of each other. It clearly spurred Cheklit on… the winger looked dangerous all afternoon.

Casuals had the better of the chances in the first half with Elliott Bolton firing a rising shot over the bar and the diminutive Emmanual Mensah seeing his back post header brilliantly tipped over by Lewis Carey in goal. The other Emmanuel – Agboola, in goal at the other end was sharp to keep Lewes out on a couple of occasions too.

Casuals pressed and Alfie Bendle’s cross was turned in by Ollie Sitch from close range but deemed offside by the linesman. Kieron Cadogan also fired into the side netting to end the first half goalless.

The theme continued in the second half when Carey saved low to an oncoming Sitch. Casuals turned up the pressure and in the space of two minutes, saw the bar hit twice and another fabulous save by Carey, this time from Captain Jack Strange’s header.

The last few minutes could’ve seen either side win it with Cheklit and Spencer vying for the ball and what appeared a mis-timed challenge on the former, was not penalised due to the winger’s ‘honesty’ of staying on his feet. At the other end, substitute Ollie Tanner fired narrowly wide.

A point a piece and whilst a clean sheet for Casuals was very welcome, especially against the second-best scoring side in the league. But Bracken and his side would feel they should’ve had more.

“It was important that we reacted the way we have,” said James Bracken after the match. “Nothing but credit to the boys today. They were great. I was very forthcoming with giving them criticism on Tuesday and obviously that stuck. They’ve taken it on the chin and responded today with a performance full of quality.

“Games like Tuesday happen. You concede goals at crucial times and it ends up going in a certain direction. The only thing we can do is to make sure our attitude is good going into the next match. If a result like that doesn’t make you angry and it doesn’t fire you up, then you are not cut out for this.

“We’ve hit the woodwork three times, their keeper made a number of good saves and we should’ve had a penalty at the end, but we remain honest and don’t go down under the challenge. Another day, that’s a deserved win.

“I know I beat the drum but we’re a decent side. If teams think they’ll roll over us, they’ll find that they’ll come up short.
“We’ve turned up even more motivated because of the result in midweek. All week, I’ve had people asking me ‘what happened Tuesday?’, like they’re poking me with a stick. The only way to respond is by putting in a good performance and getting a decent result.

“We weren’t prepared to give Lewes easy goals which is what we’ve done in recent games. We’ve been expansive and sometimes too attacking. When you do that, and you don’t score, you’ll lose. That’s the bottom line. Today, I felt we had a much better balance.

“You also need the individuals to go out there and win their personal battles. You look across the back line and the middle of the park and I think we edged all of them. If you go out there and win more than half of your battles across the pitch, then you’re in the game. Then it’s all about taking your chances, which was a little unfortunate that we didn’t today.

“Results follow performances so as long as we stay at that level, then the results will follow.

“We’ll approach Tuesday before we worry about selections for Thursday. Who I pick for Tuesday are far easier after today.”
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Casuals face Haringey Borough on Tuesday and Carshalton Athletic on Thursday, both at home. 

Lewes 1 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Isthmian League Premier Division
Tuesday 23rd November 2021
Report: Stuart Tree. Image: Andy Nunn.

Casuals midfielder Ricardo Thompson summed up the game in one tweet following the match. He simply wrote “Big win last night, football really is a game of 2 halves.”
 
And that really was the case. Manager James Bracken was full of praise for the way Lewes started, describing them as the best side he’d seen all season, amongst other plaudits for Tony Russell’s Rooks.
 
Lewes were everything you’d want your side to be, or everything you’d fear to play against on a Tuesday night in their own den in front of over 500 fans. Organised, decisive, quick… pick as many superlatives as you want.
 
It only took eight minutes for Casuals fans alike to feel that they could be in for a long and fruitless night. Top scorer Joe Taylor added a fourteenth goal to his season tally, turning one in from close range to leave Danny Bracken no chance.
 
If Lewes had added a second, the result could’ve looked very different. But Lewes failed to capitalise on a first half dominance with Taylor fluffing his lines front and centre which, with any serious contact with the ball would’ve likely doubled the lead.
 
James Bracken was quick to address the imbalance and switched a couple of players to stem the tide. It worked. Casuals grew into the half and could’ve equalised when Ben Cheklit’s volley was expertly kept out by Lewis Carey. Kieron Cadogan also had a decent chance to reduce the arrears but blazed over. Casuals were fortunate to be going in at half-time just one goal down when Taylor’s effort was somehow dragged wide when once again, looked like he should score.
 
Bracken’s half time team talk certainly changed Casuals approach. The Manager admitted afterwards that he told his players to ‘play without fear’. It worked. Their game management improved immensely and now it was the visitors in the ascendency. It took just three minutes to watch Cadogan use those magical feet of his to shift the ball and shoot, leaving Carey no chance.
 
The equaliser spurred Casuals on and with Lewes’ Taylor being substituted, their threat diminished even more. Corinth took the lead with a wonderful free flowing move from one end to the other being completed via the left foot of Warren Mfula.
 
Casuals had to resolutely hold on for the last twenty minutes with a real flurry of action in their own box coming into stoppage time. Bracken had to be on his best guard, making a couple of vital saves as well as an excellent performance from the back four.
 
It's a win that propels Casuals into the top ten for the first time this season and had you left at half time, you’d never understand how Lewes conspired to lose this match, or how Casuals showed such determination to win.
 
“We were fearless in the second half,” said Manager James Bracken following the win. “We didn’t go out there with fear but Lewes were fantastic in that first fifteen minutes. The best team we’ve played by a mile. They were the first side that we’ve played where we had to change our shape, just because I felt it was only going one way. We were one-nil down and it wasn’t looking good for us.
 
“But we made the change, moving one player into a different position and it stemmed the flow. It levelled off a bit and we had a couple of chances ourselves. It gave us enough at half time to get our tails up and remind ourselves that we’re a good team and that we have good players who can go and play without fear.
 
“I said it’s not life or death. It’s a game of football and we’ve got nothing to lose from here. If we lost, I’ll take it on the chin – I pick the team and I set the tactics. So I told them to get on the front foot and go and be aggressive. Try and win a game of football. If we don’t, we’ll bounce back Saturday. We just tried to take all the pressure off and reminding them that we are a good side.
 
“I’ve set from the get-go that we can make the playoffs. You don’t play without ambition. You don’t come and give all of this time, effort and commitment to finish 10th or 15th or second from bottom. We do this because we want to achieve something. If you’re playing without ambition, then what are you playing for? Playoffs will always be our aim and until it becomes mathematically impossible to do that, then that’ll be our target.
 
“Brighlingsea Regent on Saturday and I’m targeting three points. We’ll give them respect – in fact we’ll make sure we give them more than enough respect because we don’t want to fall short on games where you feel like you are the favourites. We try to win every game of course. We came here tonight with an aim to win and not a lot of people would’ve given us the chance to do so, but we have.” 

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 Lewes
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 1st February 2020
Photos from the match can be seen here
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A sublime Ben Cheklit strike ten minutes from time was enough to lift Corinthian-Casuals out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

Whilst fellow strugglers Merstham and Wingate & Finchley both won, and Brightlingsea picking up a point, the win was enough to lift Casuals two places, into 19th with a very favourable goal difference and games in hand.

Incidentally, the result drags opponents Lewes into the dogfight as Casuals close within four points. The Rooks have struggled to pick up any momentum and remarkably, have won only once at their Dripping Pan home this campaign. Ironically, that was against Casuals – a cagey 1-0 win secured in the last ten minutes. Ring any bells?

There was more parity with the corresponding fixture earlier in the season; this wasn’t a classic either. Lewes have struggled to score recently, with just two goals in the last six league matches (as well as a 1-0 loss to Peacehaven in the Sussex Cup). In contrast, Casuals form has been much better and a gritty 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Bognor in the week would’ve surely boosted morale.

Lewes nearly rectified their goal drought in the very first minute, with Harry Reed’s cross narrowly avoided Tony Mendy. Early goals have haunted Casuals across the first half of the season, but this is one area that Manager James Bracken and his coaching team have worked hard upon to rectify. And with effective results too – Corinth haven’t conceded in the first half hour since the 12th November.
That run continued as either side rarely threatened their opponent’s goal. Gabriel Odunaike headed narrowly wide from a corner and Casuals captain Danny Bracken was only really called into action from set pieces.

Corinth had more of a spark about them in the second half enjoying the lion’s share of possession. Nathan Stroomberg-Clarke was certainly the busier of the two keepers. Despite this, Lewes had the best chance to score when Billy Medlock weaved between defenders only to blaze his shot well over.

Almost immediately, Casuals capitalised. It was a moment of divine interplay that finally broke the deadlock. Out on the wing, Kev Serbony dropped two Lewes markers with a cheeky backheel to Hakeem Adelakun. His cross found Ben Cheklit on the edge of the box and without hesitation, curled a beauty of a shot into the top corner, leaving Stroomberg-Clarke rooted.

The Lewes keeper was a little fortunate to remain on the field moments after, when he handled the ball outside of his area, denying Odunaike a chance to intercept. A yellow issued. Casuals were able to see out the rest of the match with Bracken being alert to a low cross that could’ve caused problems. The full time whistle marked the Amateur’s fourth win (with a draw) in eight games and Bracken almost certainly looking up the table.

Neither game against Lewes this season will go down as a classic, but for the majority of the 278 in attendance, they won’t care. They witnessed a side that once again battled hard, gave everything and topped it off with a sublime goal. They’ll also keep an eye on Lewes’ next league match – against Cheshunt, which after this result, has become a proverbial ‘six-pointer’ that could yet shape the relegation battle once again. In the meantime, Casuals have a break from league pressures as they host Burgess Hill Town in the Velocity Trophy on Tuesday night.

Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 2 Lewes
Bostik League Premier Division
Tuesday 5th March 2019
Report: Cameron Smith - Pics: Stuart Tree / Andy Nunn (Andy's set here)

​A promising first-half deteriorated into a disappointing loss for the wasteful Corinthian-Casuals, with play-off pushing Lewes taking all three points in a 0-2 win on a rainy Shrove Tuesday at King George’s.

James Bracken’s pink and brown army commuted away from North London on Saturday evening with a new-found confidence following a hard-earned and deserving 2-2 result at Haringey Borough. Odunaike’s slick finish and Osman’s belter were the goals that got the Casuals fans punching the air, and the two were part of ten players that reserved a place in the starting eleven for the first midweek match in Tolworth in 2019. Tucker for Spencer at right-back was the only change.
Casuals and Lewes have had their fair share of clashes over the years; most recently the East Sussex –based side defeated the Corinthians 3-0 on a dark and dingy Wednesday night in December.

Darren Freeman’s team were the favourites, but the Bracken Brothers relished the title of underdogs. Straight in like wolves on fresh meat, the hosts seemed to dominate from an offensive point of view. Granted, Lewes did have a dangerous attack and pinpointed complacencies in the Casuals back four but multiple chances from Casuals were not taken. Recorded shots would not have been high, but the sheer movement around the flanks and middle was impressive. It was no cigar for Corinth no matter how hard Antonio tried to force the ball through in midfield, Adelakun tried to deliver the perfect cross at left-back and Odunaike tried to be the fox in the box. A wonderful save from Danny Bracken towards the end of the half was early warning signs for Casuals- if they did not take their chances soon, the Rooks would take advantage.

After the goalless first-half, it was clear that Lewes were not looking to leave King George’s without any additions to their promotion voyage. After more of the same, it was in the 66th minute where the deadlock was broken and Kieron Pamment slotted the ball past Bracken from a tight angle. A draw would have been great for the home side but half-chances was as far as Casuals got to the goal- no.1 Lewis Carey organised his defence well throughout flurries of corners and set-pieces. Perhaps concentrating on the chance to level, Casuals conceded one right at the death as Luke Blewden nicked Lewes’ second and the nail on the Corinthians’ coffin.

Thank you to Lewes and we wish them well for the rest of the season. It becomes seven games without a win for Casuals. James Bracken and his staff are peeking over their shoulders now as six points separate them from relegation but with the Corinthian spirit and our incredible support, they will try their utmost to survive. Mid-table Bishop’s Stortford are up next on the agenda in the home match on Saturday.

​“We need to fight now,” said Manager Bracken following the loss. “We need to be hard to beat. We’ll need to nick a few games. It might not be the prettiest but we are where we are and that calls for a sense of reality to ensure we get the job done.

“We’re not bottom. We’re not thinking that we must win the majority of our games, but we still have to pick up points here and there.

“The next three games after Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday will be against sides competing for the title or playoffs.

“After that, we’ll have five massive games now at the end of the season where we’ll probably have to get three wins out of those. That’s not a position that anyone wants to be in, but we are.

“I find it hard to accept the position that we’re in. I look at teams in and around the top ten that I know we’re better than. That’s easy for me to say it and the table doesn’t lie, but on our day, we’re as good as anything in this division. We’ve proved that against the top sides. Against the top nine, we’ve played fifteen games and won seven of those. We’ve won nearly 50% of our games against the top nine. It’s the inconsistency in us that’s put us where we are.

“There’s no excuse not to be up for every match at this level. No disrespect to anyone, but when you’re playing your Potters Bar’s or your Brightlingsea’s, you have to be up for those as much as the perceived big games. All of the sides at this level have won promotion from the level we were playing at for years. Lewes and Carshalton came up with us. Burgess Hill, at the bottom won promotion a few years ago with a record points tally. Whoever you’re playing in this division, they’re proper football clubs who at the very least, were top sides from the tier below.
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“Every single game, we’re massive underdogs. It’s like us playing Lewes or Carshalton last season, every single week. We must be up for every single match. In the league below, you can win at 70% but in the Premier, we need to be at 100% week-in, week-out. There’s no room for a lull. We need to be focused, committed. Unfortunately, when we’ve faced teams in and around us, there’s perhaps still that perception that there is room for complacency. We need to look at ourselves regarding that.”

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 3 Lewes
Bostik League South
Saturday 7th April 2018
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (set of pics here).

Corinthian-Casuals’ Manager James Bracken conceded making the top two automatic promotion spots following a 3-1 loss to League Leaders Lewes at King George’s Arena on Saturday.
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Two goals in the first fifteen minutes essentially wrapped up the tie despite a brief comeback in the second half when Josh Uzun scored from the spot. However, five minutes later, an own goal settled the tie.

Casuals came into the match without their captain and three-times goalkeeper of the month Danny Bracken after sustaining a fibula fracture at Walton Casuals on Monday. In stepped experienced veteran Gareth Williams, who had already notched up over 120 appearances for Corinth some fifteen years ago. Williams, who began his career at Casuals hadn’t played a competitive match since retiring two years ago yet performed like he’d only played last week. The home side were also without Harry Ottaway (unavailable), Coskun Ekim (injured), Gabriel Odunaike (suspended) whilst Jordan Clarke was dropped to the bench suffering from illness. At the other end,

Lewes were without their regular keeper who was absent on leave, though otherwise named a strong line-up.

Within the first ten minutes, Casuals’ task of needing three points was made harder when poor defending let Frankie Chappell head freely direct from a corner kick.

Gareth Williams had to be alert at the other end expertly tipping over an attempted lob by Leon Redwood to keep Lewes within reach. But it was almost a repeat performance from the resulting corner just minutes later when Lloyd Cotton gained bags of space to volley home Lewes’ second. Casuals were in disarray at the back and potentially could’ve collapsed.

However, the home side composed themselves and began to play themselves back into the match. Mu Maan tested Max Huxter in goal with a fizzing shot. Max Oldham produced a fierce cross only to evade all on-coming Casuals’ attackers. Terry Murray on his 100th appearance also fired a long range effort that narrowly passed the crossbar. At the opposite end, Jonte Smith broke free but was expertly denied by the experienced Williams.

A further addition to Casuals’ growing list of injuries came in the form of Ben Cheklit, only just returning to first XI action after a layoff. Clarke called into action earlier than it would’ve been liked.

Within moments of the second half commencing, Lewes could’ve added a third, when Bouwe Bosma delicately lobbed Williams only for the post to deny the Rooks. Casuals’ stopper also prevented Jamie Brotherton with another fine stop. Perhaps a turning point? It could’ve seen that way when Josh Uzun was felled in Lewes’ penalty area. Ever reliable from 12 yards, Uzun dispatched the resulting spot kick to give Casuals hope of a comeback.

It was short-lived; Five minutes later, from another set piece, the ball came to Leon Redwood who looked to cross into the box, saw his effort headed over Williams for an unfortunate own-goal.

It looked to have deflated Casuals and the league leaders were able to comfortably see out the remaining minutes with ease to keep their grip on top spot.

“It wasn’t good enough today, that’s for sure,” said Bracken following the loss. “To let in two set-pieces the way we did was soft. They’re soft goals to concede. Against a good side like Lewes, you can’t gift them a two-goal head start. That’s what we’ve done. It’s just not good enough.

“The first goal is bad. The second one is atrocious. The amount of space we’ve given them in the box is criminal. To give him 15 yards of space to allow him to perform a bicycle kick with no-one around is indefensible. Someone’s not done their job properly.

“But there was a lot of lads that haven’t done their job today.

“It’s simple; to win a game of football against a top side you’ve got to have seven or eight of your players giving at least 7/10 performances. Today, we had no-one above a six. No-one has played well. Everyone has underperformed. No-one had that fire in their belly for what was needed today.

“That’s what games like this are about. Sometimes you can win being at only 60% of your best but today, we should’ve been looking to hit our absolute best. We didn’t find enough.

“When we pulled a goal back, I thought we’d have a go at this. Had we not conceded another very poor goal, with the flicked-on deflected shot, then who knows what could’ve happened? Just after we scored, there was a little moment where we started to rock them, but we didn’t sustain the pressure. They then score the poorest goal of the day from our point of view.

“Three awful goals conceded against Lewes? Of course you expect to lose.

“I said to the boys after, I can’t keep taking sole responsibility, which I choose to do for these kind of results. I will feel awful for the rest of the week now and will permanently have the hump until next Saturday. I’ve asked them to share the responsibility in defeat with me. Don’t go home and be alright with this. They shouldn’t be. With four games to go, you’ve got to breathe fire to get promoted. You don’t achieve promotion by hitting 60% of your level. Not just technically but with attitude, commitment, workrate… everything.

“Lewes looked like a team that could win the league. They were good, organised, full of belief. Two goals have helped them at the start which set the tone. And we certainly didn’t look that way today. We need to do better next week.

“The only positive is results elsewhere. Again, they’ve given us a reprieve. We always said there’d still be twists and turns in this league. Unfortunately, we’ve not managed to take advantage of it. But with four games to go, we’re right in there for that third place – the top two have gone. We’ll be going all out to get that. We have to show up with more fire.

Speaking of his last minute stand-in keeper, Bracken added, “Gareth Williams done fantastic today. Couldn’t have done anything about the goals. He’s come in, helping us out doing great for the team and the club. He’s thoroughly cheesed off at the result. He’s got great pride in what he does and even though he’s not played in a long while, he want’s to do well. He was let down today by the rest. He’s come in and done his best.”

He finished off with a request to his players to step up.

“If we get promoted, this performance will soon be forgotten about. If we play like this in the next two games and we slip out of the playoffs, or do it in a semi-final, then it’s cost us everything.

“As individuals, they need to take responsibility and ensure that’s not on their shoulders because that isn’t something that can be easily dismissed. Errors can stick with you forever. Take Dave Hodges last season in the playoff final. He’s got broad shoulders and will understand, but missing a penalty in the playoff final, he’ll tell you that’ll be with him forever. It’s not his fault he didn’t win… we didn’t take our chances, but you’ve got to make sure that when these moments come along, you have to grab them. If someone’s going to fall short of the mark, make sure it isn’t you. If they all embrace that next week and after, we’ll win.” 

Lewes 2 – 3 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 8th April 2017
Attendance: 563
Report by Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree. (full set here)

A spirited Corinthian-Casuals side fought off the valiant charge of promotion rivals Lewes thanks to Shaun Okojie’s slick brace during a tetchy encounter to virtually seal a play-off spot- James Bracken’s army now only need a single point!
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Three consecutive wins away from home, Casuals have made a habit of beating visiting teams as Cray Wanderers, Greenwich Borough, Molesey and Hythe Town crumbled under the pressure of Corinthians. Casuals’ biggest victory this season, the five-goal destruction of Hythe Town had boosted confidence in both supporters and players whilst manager James Bracken kept his feet firmly on the ground; “The form is pleasing but I still think the performances can be better.”

Lewes’ aptly named ground, The Dripping Pan, was the perfect location for a clash between two promotion contenders as the sun blazed down on the uneven surface. The East Sussex based club were dealt with a monumental blow in March when a seemingly-simple fixture at Godalming Town turned sour; the relegated hosts won 1-0. Drifting away from a vital top five place, it was do or die for Lewes as they urgently needed points.

It was a long time since Casuals fans were able to chant the name of attacking hotshot Reyon Dillon, but they did today. Dillon’s four game absence was broken as the ‘Beast’ was back in the squad, taking a seat on the substitute’s bench. There was only one change to the starting eleven that ran Hythe ragged and it was in right-back as a straight swap saw Juevan Spencer drop out ahead of Warren Morgan.

The red and black stripes of the home side looked ready to defeat the on-form white shirts of Casuals as players distributed across the pitch, supporters sat (or stood) in their positions, ready to feast on this Ryman Division One South thriller. The first 34 minutes was a scrappy spectacle with possession constantly changing from the organised Lewes to the dangerous Corinth. The visitors were dangerous on the attack, especially from the left flank when Jordan Clarke and Dave Hodges re-ignited their partnership on the wing, causing the Rooks to tighten up at the back. Clarke’s acceleration whilst cutting in resulted in chaos- the forward had an effort from just outside the area that kept keeper Chris Winterton on his toes. Failing to turn odd moves into goals, Lewes were given a reality check when Clarke hooked the ball towards the six yard box. A combination of black and white shirts all jumped in attempt to attack the ball, but it was Casuals’ Mu Maan who leapt the highest to nod the ball into the net. Celebrations erupted behind the goal as the terrific travelling support were ecstatic. It was Maan’s second of the season.

Lewes did manage to wake up and somehow didn’t convert a low cross that was inches away from the boot of a Rook. The hosts’ vocal (to say the least) boss was fuming with the referee’s decision to book two Lewes players inside the first 45. As the referee blew his whistle thrice, Casuals walked up the steep stairs of the Dripping Pan, which lead to their dressing room. It was half-time and Corinth were 1-0 up.

1-0 is a dangerous score, especially when you’re away from home. That’s the reason why the Casuals fans, who were facing the roasting sunshine, erupted in a mixture of relief and glee when the score-line was altered by the trustworthy no.9 Shaun Okojie. Solid midfielder Coskun Eskim had been replaced by striker Reyon Dillon as Bracken tampered with the formation. The Rooks made a poor decision at a set-piece when they piled on the players in Casuals’ penalty area, leaving their own area exposed. Tricky Dillon controlled the ball on the half-way line and sublimely picked out Super Shaun, who controlled the pinpoint pass before slamming the ball into the bottom right corner. It didn’t just fly straight in as keeper Winterton had his head in his hands- Lewes’ no.1 got a glove to the ball but Okojie’s strike was too powerful. Corinth had breathing space.

Three minutes after Okojie’s finish, Lewes restored hope via substitute Ronnie Conlon, who composed himself before running onto the loose ball and neatly dispatching. Nerves returned to the Casuals end, but it didn’t stop them from singing their hearts out. Danny Dudley was man of the moment in the 80th minute as the centre-back magnificently cleared the ball off the line to somehow deny Lewes. It willed the players on as Dillon continued to terrorize the full-backs, Dudley and Strange continued to clear their lines and Shaun Okojie continued… scoring. Another counter attacking move was highly effective; Okojie found himself clean though on goal in the final minutes and deftly lifted the ball over the keeper. Only one word is fitting of the celebrations that ensued. Scenes.

Lewes showed tremendous fighting spirit and ability to convert opportunities moments later as an unpredictable free-kick evaded a Casuals head and was flicked on by no.9 Jonte Smith. It bounced past Bracken and the score was now 3-2.

Full-time came and past with Casuals players and supporters congratulating and thanking each-other- it was the definition of the Corinthian spirit. James Bracken was delighted as he hailed the travelling fans. Everyone realised that a place in the play-offs was very likely. All they need now is a single point in the last three fixtures and a play-off spot was secure.

Stuart Tree spoke to the delighted yet reserved James Bracken after the game:

“We thoroughly deserved to win that today.”

“I can’t speak highly enough of our lads in their performance and their spirit. It wasn’t perfect – we should’ve killed it off. We were the better side by far for big periods of the game. But we ran ourselves into the floor winning it the hard way.”

“That said, on the counter attack, we were still dangerous. We should’ve been more clinical. It could’ve been two, three, four-nil and that’s the game done. Even when they pulled one back, we should’ve put it out of sight. We didn’t but as I said to the lads after, we had an opportunity for us to show spirit.”

“Players like Danny Dudley who’s got an ankle like a balloon. He’s played the near-on the whole game like that and I didn’t realise how bad that was. It’s purple. He’s then got his head cut open and says to me, ‘bandage it up… I want to get back out there’.”

“Players like Jack Strange who was put under a lot of pressure in the second half. The boy is eighteen years old and stood up to everything they could throw at us in the box. Fantastic from him.”

“The referee done alright this afternoon and I’m not here to criticise him. In the first half, he gave decisions based on what he saw. Okay, he got a couple of decisions wrong for both sides but done his best. At half time, they’ve had three or four of their officials surround him outside the changing rooms and berate him for, in their eyes, a poor performance. I’m sorry, but I just couldn’t see that.”

“I understand that it was a massive game for Lewes in which they needed to win. They didn’t… they fell short.”

“I said to the referee at the start of the second half, ‘I know they’ve all had a go at you and I don’t really know why. Just be strong and keep your consistency’”

“Unfortunately, he didn’t. He gave them free kick after free kick after free kick. In the first ten minutes after the restart, he must’ve given them at least seven or eight decisions which I thought were harsh. Players throwing themselves to the floor and he was buying it. Why? Because he’s been influenced. That’s given them momentum, so he’s had a real hand in that second half.”

“I want to pay credit to our supporters today. They were absolutely fantastic. That support deserves football way beyond this league. We’re repaying them. We’re getting them here because they want to be here. They totally get behind what we’re trying to achieve. I knew we were bringing good numbers to Lewes and we’ve made sure we’ve repaid them with a win and let them enjoy it.”

“What irks me is people who don’t know what they’re talking about are piping up with things about our team who don’t know what they’re saying. They obviously have no real knowledge about us. I can categorically say that no-one here, in my two years as manager has had a penny in wages or expenses – myself included. Every single person I’ve had play for me and played for this club play for the shirt – and me – because they want to be here. They believe in what we’re trying to do. They realise that they could go and pick up £50 down the road.”

“If we were to earn promotion without a budget when everyone says it’s impossible – you can’t buy that. The money offered by others will always be there. Next season, the season after… it goes on. Of course that’ll be on offer elsewhere – they’re good players. However, they’re happy here and are trying to achieve something that can never be taken away from them.”

“So this is a message to those who want to pipe up and claim we get paid or get expenses… it’s nonsense. I’m telling you all now. It’s nonsense. It irks me because there are clubs spending nearly £40,000 a month to try and get out of this division and we’re trying to do it on zero – and we’re in with a shot!”

“We only need a point to secure playoffs but we want to win every game. It’s four in a row now and seven of the last eight. I want to win the next three. Let’s aim for that first. After that, let’s win the next two. Then we can say, there’s ten wins on the bounce and there’s Ryman Premier football.”