​“It’s a cliché that luck balances itself out over the course of a season, but it doesn’t,” said a furious Bracken after the final whistle following the 2-0 defeat at Tonbridge Angels.

“We don’t seem to get a decision go our way on any week. There’s a foul in the box, we get a free kick on the edge. There’s a handball by us on the edge of the box, but no hesitation, the official gives a penalty. There’s a handball outside the box by their keeper when one-on-one with Benjamin. He saves it a good foot outside the area. We’re not getting anything.

“They say the harder you work, the luckier you get. Well, we’re working as hard as we can but still get nothing. I don’t want to waste another minute on the standard of officiating, which is awful. I don’t want it to sound like sour grapes – it’s just facts. Everyone moans about officials but when you’re flying high at the top, the effect is lessened. But when you’re in the run that we are, it really affects you.”

But Bracken remains upbeat, looking at recent performances which now need to be turned into results.

“We’re not in a rut,” continued Bracken. “We were excellent at Haringey Borough, much better than Bishop’s Stortford and deserved all three points and for me, if we’d have drawn today, I’d have been disappointed based on the game I just watched.

“We’ve had two or three one-on-ones, the penalty shout that we don’t get. The fact that their goals are an own-goal and a penalty. Had we come away with a 2-2 draw, I’d have said we deserved more. Sadly, we’ve got nothing.

It gets no easier for Casuals as they host runaway league leaders Dorking Wanderers at King George’s on Saturday but Bracken is confident his side will give their all.

“We’ll keep it positive and go again. There’s no reason we can’t win on Saturday.

“I look at our squad, their belief and their attitude and we’ll be ready to give Dorking a run for their money. So long as we turn up like we did at Tonbridge, play with the same endeavour, energy and desire, then it’ll simply come down to taking our chances.

“It’s not going to come down to luck. We don’t get the rub of the green. It’ll purely come down to whether we take our chances.

“I set a target of winning four of the last eight before the Tonbridge match. It’s Dorking Wanderers next followed by the form team, Carshalton. If we don’t pick up any points in the next two, then we’re looking at probably having to win four of our last five. We’ve only done that once all season. Therefore, the next two games are massive.

“But we’re not hiding from that. They got out there today and passed the ball well and played some lovely football. I enjoyed watching it. It’s just a shame that when our good football ends in a great chance, we haven’t taken them. I’m not going to slaughter someone for not scoring. They travel home and away for no money and they don’t turn up to miss. They turn up to do their best and try and win. So long as the effort is there, with what I have to work with, then what more can I ask of them?

“In my eyes, we thoroughly deserve to be at this level of football based on what I’ve seen this season. I cannot remember a campaign where I’ve come away from so many games wondering how we’ve not won that. It comes down to us being more clinical. I’m happy with who I have though, and they’ll get my full support as I put them in the frame of mind where they can beat anybody – which I honestly believe they can.” 

Tonbridge Angels 2 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 16th March 2019
​Report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)

From controversial refereeing decisions to countless missed opportunities, the remarkably unfortunate Corinthian-Casuals recorded nine games without a win at Tonbridge Angels on a miserable Saturday afternoon.

An excruciating watch for the Casuals contingent, last Saturday’s action versus Bishop’s Stortford was another demonstration of James Bracken’s side’s capability in the Bostik Premier; a dominating display could not conjure vital three points though. With Tonbridge, Dorking and Carshalton on the calendar for the next three weeks, many would think the level of support would diminish as they head into games firmly as the ‘underdog’. But those who thought that would be sorely mistaken- a brilliant gathering of supporters behind the goal cheered as pink and brown faced the blue and white.

It was The Return of the Maj in the starting eleven as Osman slotted in no.7 ahead of the absent Odunaike. From the off, it was clear that there was a key player in the game that did not belong to Tonbridge or Casuals. The consistent gusts of wind and periodic rainy periods made it hard to play, and it might have been the reason why the first ten minutes had been so scrappy, until Chinedu McKenzie capitalised on a Spencer miskick. However, he was beaten to the punch by Kevant Sebony, accidently poking the ball home and giving the Angels a 1-0 lead.

It did not deter a steady increase in Casuals attacks, with Warren Mfula in a 1-on-1 situation but was surprised by the keeper’s eagerness to reach him. Attempting to round him, Tonbridge’s Henly got a hand to it and it was cleared in the end. Interrupted by a great Danny Bracken save, Casuals’ half-chances and lack of luck was surmised in a strange decision from the referee. Bursting down the left flank, Osman was tripped by a blue shirt and the referee immediately blew his whistle… for a free-kick. Despite a divot in the ground inside the penalty area and Osman falling into it, Casuals would have to settle for a free-kick instead of a spot-kick, much to the bemusement of home fans who muttered that it was a penalty and an annoyance of the well-positioned fans behind the goal. Ekim smashed his kick into the wall and Casuals went into the second half 1-0 down.

The weather really played a part in the next 45 minutes, but Casuals were the ones to capitalise on it. Battling through the wind and impressive defending, Antonio and Serbony were brilliant in spreading the play, as well as a good shift from Benjamin Aghadiuno. It was the Barnet loanee Aghadiuno who was admitted on goal with Henly, who rushed out of goal again to save Tonbridge. The problem everyone in pink had was the fact that the no.1 handled the ball extremely close to where the penalty area ended. If the referee was able to see Henly’s glove touch the ball before recovering, it would have been detrimental- a straight red card and a free-kick. Instead, Casuals received nothing.

One-sided from then on, Corinthians were determined and with the introduction of Max Oldham, had so many opportunities that fell through. There was a superb Ekim effort that narrowly spiralled over, as well as Oldham’s cross that evaded anyone in the packed box- it nearly rolled in itself. Sub Woods-Garness almost got his first goal for the Casuals as a header bounced into the floor and was saved by Henley in goal.

In a rare attack for the hosts, a dead-ball cross was flung in before it met the hand of Osman and despite not giving a decisive decision for Casuals the whole game, the referee pointed to the spot. The irony was not lost in the fact it was debatable whether Osman was even in the penalty box.

A strong penalty from Joe Turner was dispatched making it 2-0 to Tonbridge in the 85th minute. 

Thank you to Tonbridge Angels for their hospitality, good luck for the rest of the season as they sit in 3rd place now, one point behind second! Dorking Wanderers lost to Carshalton, so they would not be arriving to King George’s Field next week with the need to win, therefore securing the title. Top-of-the-league is followed by a visit from Carshalton the week after, so James Bracken’s pink and brown army have the chance to both shock the league and add to the four point gap between 18th and relegation. If anyone can do it, Casuals can.

​Manager James Bracken's post match thoughts can be read here.

"We’re delighted with that result," said James Bracken following the 2-1 win over Tonbridge Angels.

"Tonbridge have come here third in the league but been on an indifferent run, as we have ourselves. But we have to be pleased. They’re one of the pre-season favourites and have got some good players. They’re a good side.

"We showed character again. We do that every time it’s required. On the back of three defeats, it could’ve been easy to capitulate, especially after we gifted them their goal. That was a catastrophic error on our part. It could’ve been easy to lose the game following on from doing the same against Potters Bar Town on Saturday. But we came back stronger, scored a good winner so I’m very pleased.

"We made sure we stayed in the game. The boys took 15 minutes to adapt to what we were asking of them. When we settled, we were good for the last 20 minutes of the first half.

"Second half, they started well and we gave them a gift of a goal but we finished strong. All in all, a decent night.

"We need to be realistic with ourselves. When we’re winning, I believe we’re going to win the league and when we lose a few, I take it too personally, because I’m ultimately responsible. No one has felt worse than I have these last few days. That’s why I’m delighted that the lads showed the character they did tonight.

"When we scored the goal, we grew in confidence and played some decent football. We can still be better and I’m sure we will. We just need to realise that when we win, we’re not getting carried away thinking we’re the finished article. Conversely, when we lose, ensure we’re not beating ourselves up too much. The team that’s lost the last three were the same team that won five of the previous six. We’re a decent side. They’re good players and tonight we got it right.

"We’re expecting a tough game at Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday. They’ve been picking up good results lately and it’s not an easy place to get to. Therefore, it’s not a gimme especially if it’s a cold, wet and windy day on the coast. There’s nothing being taken for granted and I expect a hard game. If we perform to the levels that we can, then we’ll be within a good chance of winning. If we don’t, we’ll come up short. There are certainly no walkovers in this league.

"Finally, i’d like to personally thank the boys that tirelessly worked on the pitch after Saturday. It was an absolute quagmire out there at the weekend. I feared the worst coming into this game that we wouldn’t have a good pitch to play on and the spectacle would be spoiled. After Saturday, we wanted to put on a performance that entertained everyone and gave us the best chance of three points. The work that Connor, Billy Stringer, Jon Williams and Dan Harris have put in is tremendous and I’m taking this opportunity to thank them."

Jimmy Hill and Geoff Harvey Memorial Tournament
9th - 10th July 2016
Photos of the Saturday can be seen here.
Photos of Sunday, here.

Hayes and Yeading United won the 7th annual Jimmy Hill and Geoff Harvey Memorial Tournament at their first attempt beating Hampton and Richmond Borough 4-2 at Corinthian-Casuals' King George's Arena.

Mickey Lewis' new look side made the final after besting Casuals 3-1 on the Saturday with Alan Dowson's Ryman Premier championship winning Hampton & Richmond Borough joining them after cruising past Tonbridge Angels 4-0.

The Saturday was marred by the nasty head injury to Corinthian-Casuals' Niall Wright who had to be attended to by Paramedics on the pitch before being rushed to St George's Hospital. Thankfully, Wright made a speedy recovery and was welcomed back to watch the next day. After a 45 minute delay, Casuals, who were 3-0 down at half time struck one back and missed a handful of chances to get back in the tie.

Casuals finished the tournament in third after turning over Steve McKimm's youthful Tonbridge side with goals from Jamie Byatt and Jerson Dos Santos completing the win.

The final saw Hayes and Yeading go two-up inside ten minutes. Dylan Kearney and Tom Collins inflicting the damage on Dowson's men before Beaver's new signing Guiseppe Sole pulled one back from the spot. With the game heading towards its finale, Kearney struck twice more to complete an impressive hat-trick before Hampton scored a late consolation.

The tournament was well received by all involved and played in great spirit on a beautiful surface maintained by award winning groundsmen Rob Darby and Brian Adamson. Spectators witnessed an average of four goals per game in a thoroughly entertaining weekend.

After the tournament ended on the Sunday, Casuals boss James Bracken commented on the weekend and what hopes he has for the season ahead.

“The weekend's been another big success. Obviously, Niall's injury on Saturday was worrying but other than that, there's been some good football played by all the teams. A lot of players had a decent run-out and touch wood, we've had no injuries for any of the sides, so that's good.

“Results from this aren't the be-all and end-all but obviously we want to win every game and that's how we'll always approach them, mostly because I don't think I know any other way.

“Second half against Hayes and Yeading, we played fantastically well and probably had enough chances to get back in the game and tilt it in our favour, even though we were 3-0 down at half time.

“On the Sunday, I thought the first half, we were excellent, played some great football, got ourselves in charge of the game and put ourselves 2-0 up. Then we got through the second half with good control albeit a little conservative with a few tired legs creeping in towards the end.

"All in all, fantastic... everything I wanted to get out of it, I got.

"We're optimistic going forward. We approached this weekend with three of our back five missing. You put them back in and that's going to strengthen us. But going forward, I thought we looked good.

"It's the first of the friendlies as well so I expect a lot of improvement over the coming weeks but I'm optimistic. I know what we've got in our squad and I'm pleased with it.

"To the season ahead, we're never looking to go backwards so forwards for us is a playoff place. There's a couple of teams who've come into our league with reportedly decent budgets and told that they will be a threat, but it's all to play for.

"We need to start the season well, get ourselves on a run. What we and the boys learned from last year is this isn't a sprint, it's a marathon and in 62 or 63 games time, we'll see where we end up. We'll be ready and I don't see any reason why we can't make the playoffs as a minimum.

Results:
Game 1: Hampton and Richmond Borough 4 – 0 Tonbridge Angels
Game 2: Corinthian-Casuals 1 – 3 Hayes and Yeading Utd

Game 3: Corinthian-Casuals 2 – 0 Tonbridge Angels
Final: Hayes and Yeading Utd 4 – 2 Hampton and Richmond Borough