Corinthian-Casuals 4 – 1 Molesey
Bostik League South
Tuesday 7th November 2017
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals made it six wins on the bounce with a comfortable 4-1 win over strugglers Molesey in the Bostik League South.

Played in relentless rain, Casuals produced an emphatic first half display which realistically put the game to bed by half time, leading 3-0 at the half-way mark.

Goals from Jordan Clarke, Jack Strange and Danny Cunningham saw the Amateurs rise to second in the league table with favourable results in other matches going Casuals’ way.

From a supporter’s standpoint, it was pleasing to see Casuals not concede early, as they had done in the previous four matches, having to come from behind in each to claim victory. Despite this, both sides started lively, with Molesey looking better than their league position suggests.

Despite the willingness of Moles, it was Casuals’ class that would see the deadlock broken. Jordan Clarke, skipping around the penalty box eventually saw him get his shot off and beat keeper Liam Allen at the near post.
Since Manager James Bracken laid down the law about not scoring enough from set-pieces, it feels like they can’t stop scoring from them. A corner whipped in wasn’t cleared and the ball fell to the feet of Jack Strange who blasted it through a packed six yard box and into the top corner. Cue wet and wild celebrations.

The game was effectively over nearing half time when an infringement in the box saw Referee Robert Wainwright point to the spot. With regular taker Josh Uzun on the bench, keeper Danny Bracken would’ve fancied it but the honour was given to Clarke who perfectly placed his spot kick into the bottom left corner. 3-0.
Casuals had further chances to make it a first half rout – Max Oldham teasing the defence before just missing the target.

The second half carried on from where the first had finished. On 61 minutes, Danny Cunningham added a fourth to further extend the lead and give Casuals a favourable goal difference. The game was clearly past the point of no return for the visitors.

With that in mind and an important FA Trophy fixture on the Management’s mind, Clarke, Oldham and Coskun Ekim were replaced by Ben Cheklit, Ike-Robertson Feehi and Mu Maan. Casuals were probably guilty of sitting back a little too… Casually and Nathan Daly conceded a penalty in the 71st minute to allow Antonio Simeone a place on the scoresheet, sending Danny Bracken the wrong way.

The last fifteen minutes saw Molesey try to push back into the game but never tested Bracken in what was difficult conditions. Casuals had enough in the tank to hold them at bay and break fast on the counter, if required.

The win puts Casuals two points behind leaders Lewes with both Sittingbourne and Greenwich Borough losing.

James Bracken spoke after the win. "​Molesey came out in the first fifteen minutes and had a go, which you expect from any Molesey side. They’re always competitive. The conditions probably suited them more, thinking perhaps it was a night where they could get stuck in and spoil it. But not taking any credit away from them, they played some nice football in the first quarter of an hour."
 
"Game settled after that and our little bit of extra quality showed, got our noses in front and before you know it, we’d scored three. From then on, we’re in control and never looked like it was going any other way."

Molesey 1 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League South
Tuesday 12th September 2017
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (photos here)​

Corinthian-Casuals made it two away wins in two days as they edged a soggy encounter at tough tackling Molesey in the Bostik League South at Walton Road.

First half goals from Josh Uzun and Jerson Dos Santos was enough to bag three points at a venue notoriously difficult to take all three points for any visiting side.

Just 48 hours before, Casuals had ground out a 1-0 win in atrocious conditions on the island of Guernsey. Whilst the travelling wasn’t as gruelling as the trip to the Channel Island, the weather proved to be just as bad as Storm Aileen hit bringing driving rain, swirling winds and a slippery surface not conducive to attractive football.

Despite this, Casuals started brightly and zipped the ball around with purpose. The quick start paid dividends immediately. Within 120 seconds of the start, Josh Uzun had the ball in the net after his follow up shot found the target.

Molesey struggled to live with their guests as Corinth looked to kill the game off within the first quarter of an hour. Max Oldham and Jerson Dos Santos’s pace frightened the life out of the Moles’ defence and a string of competent saves from Liam Allen only kept Peter Lelliot’s side in the contest. Oldham had a brilliant chance to double the lead when good build-up play from Mu Maan and Dave Hodges found Oldham screaming into the box and the winger could only shoot wide despite the open goal begging.

However, on 38 minutes, Dos Santos deservedly extended the lead. A break into the box saw the striker pounce from 8 yards and Allen was helpless to prevent Casuals from scoring.

Comfortable with their 2-0 lead at half time, talk was of how many more Casuals could bag in the ninety minutes. Molesey had other ideas. Instantly toughening up, Corinth were put on the back foot and within six minutes of the restart, Manny Quarshie brilliantly put the hosts back in the game with a well-hit strike that left Danny Bracken no chance.

Casuals wobbled and Molesey kept the pressure on. That is until the turning point of the half when Ashby Charles was instantly dismissed for an horrific two-footed challenge that left all in the ground squirming at the ferocity of the tackle. Deservedly down to ten men, Molesey struggled to contain Casuals and despite not adding to the score, James Bracken’s side were able to see out the last quarter of an hour with relative ease.

The win takes Casuals up to sixth in the league and now face Whyteleafe twice in three days – firstly in the league on Saturday and away in the Velocity Trophy the following Tuesday Night.

After the match, Bracken had these thoughts, "We made hard work of it. No question of that. 
 
"We knew it’d be hard work here, especially in those conditions, when it got wet, because you know they’re going to slide all over the place. They’re going to put themselves about. 
 
"I believe Molesey had a top five home record last season and to be honest, when they fight and battle, they’ll kick you around and knock you about. We didn’t meet that enough. Especially in the second half. We didn’t earn the right to play our style of football.
 
"First half, we looked like we could cut them open at will. A third goal would’ve completely killed it. We had chances to as well. When they pulled one back, it was game on, but we done enough in the end. Though it was far from perfect.
 
"We were under no illusions that it was going to be a walkover. It never is and I made sure I told the boys that before the game. It’s a place you just want to get the win and get home."

Corinthian-Casuals (2) A – A (0) Molesey
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 5th November 2016
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (full set of pics here)

On a day that traditionally sees the night sky lit up, darkness descended on King George's Arena 19 minutes earlier than planned as floodlight failure caused the abandonment of Corinthian-Casuals' league fixture against Molesey.

Casuals were two goals to the good when referee Tim Donnellan called a halt to the proceedings after half the lights failed due to a power cut to the club, which affected all elements of King George's electricity supply.

It capped a frustrating week for Manager James Bracken following the exit in the FA Trophy and 2-1 loss to Sittingbourne in the week – arguably played under worse light than King George's with half power.

Bracken made several changes to his side; The returning ex-Captain Joe Hicks – on dual registration with National League South side Hampton and Richmond, was thrust into a familiar centre-back role in place of Danny Dudley. With Warren Morgan absent, Juevan Spencer took up the role. Injuries and suspensions kept out Niall Wright, Brandon Johnson, Jordan Clarke and Maz Bettache so there was room on the bench for new signings Luke Tan and Max Oldham.

Corinth started brightly which paid dividends after just five minutes on the clock. Josh Gallagher played through Jamie Byatt and the seasoned striker had the presence of mind to lift a delightful lob over oncoming keeper Liam Allen – the weight perfectly judged as the ball landed in the foot of the goal.

Casuals continued to dominate but frustratingly couldn't find the vital second goal. Shaun Okojie almost turned provider when his slotted pass found Gallagher and forced Allen to tip the shot round the post. Dave Hodges continues to haunt full backs and almost created what would've been a contender for goal of the season. Without the ball touching the floor, his cross found Okojie, who laid off to Byatt and his volley whistled narrowly wide.

Molesey had few chances of note and thus continued into the second half. Okojie should've made it two-nil from the kick-off, blasting over when a more calm finish would have done the trick.

The game started to slow and Molesey edged their way back in, without really testing Bracken in goal. The introduction of Oldham sparked Casuals into life and his first touch in a chocolate and pink shirt was a vicious cross that led to Byatt inexplicably missing the conversion at the far post. Hodges poked another shot into the side netting and it appeared the home side weren't going to add to their tally.

Then on 71 minutes, the lights went. Well... half of them. Light was clearly affected but play continued. Gallagher slipped a ball through to Okojie and this time made no mistake. 2-0. The game looked safe.

Alas, the officials consulted and determined that the light wasn't sufficient to continue. A half hour wait to see if the problem could be rectified passed and all went home frustrated, not least James Bracken who sees three points slip away as they have to re-run this fixture in the near future.

Corinthian-Casuals 1 – 2 Molesey
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 26th December 2015
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (photos here)
Additional photos by Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals suffered a Boxing Day home defeat as neighbours Molesey came from behind to snatch the points deep into injury time.

But Casuals’ Boss James Bracken insists it was “No hangover from Christmas Day” and that “the better side lost.”
​
Molesey travelled the short distance to King George’s having only won once in the last seven league outings, however a morale boosting win in midweek at Met Police in the Surrey Senior Cup was a welcome sight for manager Steve Webb.

In contrast, Bracken’s Casuals had only lost once in the last five league outings and were looking to replicate their 1-0 win over Molesey on the August Bank Holiday. But as is often seen, form guides go out of the window around the Christmas period.

It was a welcome sight to see both Niall Wright and Stef Joseph back on the bench and although both suffering injuries, it’s clear they’re not far from full fitness. Josh Uzun had to fill in at right-back as Warren Morgan was struck with illness. In form Sekou Kaba was also absent from the squad – a blow considering his recent displays.

Molesey began the livelier of the sides and Danny Bracken was called into early action saving well from Staff Palmer. Ollie Robinson looked to have gone even closer when his header from a deep free kick shaved the post.

Corinth soon grew into the game and Juevan Spencer began to create problems on the wing. Constantly cutting in on the byline, he was unlucky not to find Emmanuel Akokhia at the back post – Luke Elliott just pipping the strikier to the ball. Casuals had a few chances to go ahead in the first period and Moles Keeper Liam Allen looked decidedly shaky when trying to collect crosses. However, the sides went into the break level.

Casuals had the strong wind behind them in the second half and coupled with their pace, began to impose themselves on the game. The deadlock was broken in the 67th minute. Josh Uzun whipped a corner ball into the box and not for the first time, Allen in goal spilled the cross and Danny Dudley was on hand to tap home from five yards.

The lead wasn’t to last a minute. Caught napping at the back, the dangerous Reis Stanislaus was given the time and space to slot past Bracken and level the scores.

Corinth pushed on for a winner once again and had a big shout for a penalty turned down after Spencer was upended in the box on another of his dangerous runs. Akokhia’s cross come shot bobbled inches wide of the post with Spencer closing in and Mendy and Serbony looked to have broken free of the Molesey defence but much to the protestations of the management, was adjudged offside.

For all of Casuals’ forward play, they look exposed at the back and was about to get worse for the home side. Dave Hodges was shown a red card for his foul on ex-Casual James Cottee inside the penalty box. James McShane stepped up to take the spot kick but was brilliantly saved by Bracken, who also gathered up the rebound. It appeared to be a massive let off for the Amateurs.

But there was one final twist. Deep into time added on, Substitute Dre Grobler fired low past Bracken to seal the victory much to the delight of the four travelling Molesey fans. Casuals have had their fair share of injury-time winners but on this day, it was to go against them.

After the match, James Bracken spoke to Stuart Tree.

“No hangover from Christmas day. The better side lost. That’s my honest opinion.

“We went into the wind for the first half, kept it tight and went into the break without conceding.

“Second half we played most of the football around their box, though not created enough chances. That’s my biggest criticism of the day. For all of our play, we never had any real clear cut goalscoring opportunities which forced their keeper to make saves.

“We’ve conceded a couple of sloppy goals in my opinion.

“After Dave’s sending off, they’ve got the man advantage and they’re a good side. So it was obvious they felt with the extra man that they could go on and win it.

“We tried to stay positive and win it ourselves. We had a lot of forwards on the pitch at the time. Perhaps we could have shut up shop and take a point, but that’s not really my style or of the players we have. We tried to push the ball forward, nick a winner and the three points. But in the end, we’ve lost a point. That’s the way I look at it… not three points. And we’ll get those back on Saturday.” 

Molesey 0-1 Corinthian Casuals 
Ryman League Division One South
Monday 31st  August 2015
Att: 75
Report by Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree (click to view)
2nd set of Pics: Andy Nunn  (click to view)
Video: Steve Wigg (click to view)

A header from substitute Josh Uzun with 2 minutes remaining earned Casuals 3 valuable points as they produced a determined performance to end back to back defeats.

James Bracken handed Steph Joseph his first start after the striker came off the bench to grab a consolation at Pagham in the FA Cup 48 hours earlier whilst in-form Juevan Spencer was unavailable.

After the heavy deluge of rain which had fallen in the 24 hours previous the opening proceedings saw both sets of players struggle to bring the ball under control with the zip off the surface causing problems.

Emmanuel Akokhia was the first to fire at goal but in the 10th minute his weak effort from a free  kick bounced harmlessly wide of Liam Allen's post.

The hosts first chance fell to the right foot of Reis Stanislaus but his shot lacked the power to trouble Bracken who make an easy save low down from 15 yards out,

With both back 4’s in control it was a period of half chances and Niall Wright had a hand in two of these. First curling a free kick onto the head of Stefan Joseph who nodded well over and then firing wide through a crowd of players after good work down the left by Dave Hodges.

Kevant Serbony dismissed in the cup tie in Sussex forced Allen into a save with a fierce drive from outside the area as Brackens men continued to probe.

The best chance of the half fell to the head of Molesey centre back Rob Sheridan with 10 minutes remaining in the half as he met James McShane’s wonderful right wing cross but with Bracken beaten his header went back across the goal and wide.

The home side continued to offer a threat from the long throws of Ollie Robinson but Terry Murray and Danny Dudley protected Danny Bracken well and the half ended all square.

The second half saw Joseph nearly capitalise on a mistake from the home defence when attempting a short goal kick but his effort went the wrong side of Allen’s upright. 

Stafford Palmer so prolific in Molesey’s championship winning campaign last season curled over a right footed effort as his side looked to break the deadlock.
A flurry of corners on the hour saw both Palmer and Stanislaus go close from corners as Casuals threw bodies in front of goal bound efforts.

With the challenges flying in and yellow cards mounting for both sides it was the general feeling that before too long someone would be taking an early bath. That honour fell to Marlon Rodney the home full back as he went into the notebook twice for hauling down Akokhia.

Despite the man advantage it didn't appear that the visitors would exploit the gaps especially with the hosts still looking dangerous going forward.
However with the clock ticking down Serbony picked out Hodges on the left and after steading himself his looping cross was met by the flying Joss Uzun on from the bench who guided a magnificent header over Allen into the opposite corner.

The home sides only response fell deep into stoppage time but Stanislaus blasted well over after the ball dropped to him outside the box and Casuals continued unbeaten on the road in the league.