Walton Casuals 0 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League South
Monday 2nd April 2018
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree (set of pics here)
Andy Nunn's photos can be seen here
​
​Corinthian-Casuals suffered a major blow to their promotion chances when Goalkeeper and Captain Danny Bracken suffered a nasty injury which could rule him out for the rest of the season.
 
With just twenty minutes gone at Walton Casuals, Bracken looked to have made a routine save but instantly looked distressed as he seeked medical attention.
 
“It doesn’t look good for my brother,” said Manager and elder of the two James Bracken. “Hopefully it isn’t too bad. He’s distraught. He prides himself on being available every week and the levels of performance he puts in is unreal.
 
James Bracken also took to Twitter after the match to say “To see any player suffer an injury like today is hard. When it's your brother it makes it wrenching. Everyone at Corinthian-Casuals needs to keep stepping up. Me included. You don't replace a Danny Bracken. You can't. But he'll be back soon just like we'll be ready 3pm Saturday.”
 
Casuals already had the tough task of trying to prise three points from their Walton namesakes who’d only lost once at their new Elmbridge Sports Hub ground. Anthony Gale’s side are also in contention for at least a playoff berth with just six games of the regular season left.
 
Corinth had snuck a last gasp 1-0 win over Walton back on New Year’s Day but this time, they’d face former Captain Joe Hicks – commanding as ever in defence. Casuals were without Walton’s ex-hitman Gabriel Odunaike through suspension and Harry Ottaway took a place on the bench after suffering from illness over the weekend.
 
However, plans were thrown into chaos with the injury to Danny Bracken. With no replacement keeper on the bench, eyes turned to Josh Uzun – possibly the smallest player on the field to act as the last line of defence.
 
What occurred was an astounding display of shot stopping from the young striker. Uzun made a string of excellent saves to prevent a counter-attacking Walton from taking the lead. Corinth had to ride their luck at times with the crossbar and post coming to their rescue. Taking nothing away from the substitute keeper’s performance, Uzun made saves that Danny Bracken himself would’ve been proud to have made. The back four of Walker, Murray, Strange and Morgan were excellent in protecting their teammate and Coskun Ekim was imperious before a knee injury ended his afternoon.
 
For the most part, Walton were able to keep Corinth’s sustained pressure. Max Oldham had the best chance of the afternoon when breaking free on the right, lashed a vicious shot which was expertly matched by Denzel Gerrar in the Walton goal.
 
Walton will feel aggrieved that they didn’t capitalise on Corinth’s bad luck and both sides failed to gain ground on their promotion rivals. However, this very much felt like a win for Casuals supporters who gave a rapturous applause for their new goalkeeping hero.
 
“Josh Uzun was absolutely fantastic when taking his place in goal,” continued the Manager. “When an outfield player dons the gloves, the other side will fancy their chances especially when he’s had to play the majority of the game in goal. When they’ve had over an hour of playing against a lad who’s not a keeper, you’d think they’d win the game. Especially with Walton’s home record. They’ve lost just once at the Hub all season and are top of the home form table. So that’ll be a big blow for them because they’d expect to win when we don’t have a keeper.
 
“Take nothing away from Josh’s performance. I said to him afterwards, had you been Danny, I’d be giving you Man of the Match. He earns that on merit.
 
“We had some good performances all over the pitch. Everyone found a massive amount of spirit. When needing to run back and defend, despite being tired, they found that little extra.
 
“Going forward, had we been a little better in the final third, we’d have carved out one or two more chances. We overhit a few crosses and tried to walk the ball into the net at times. You look at Max Oldham’s effort where their keeper has pulled off a wonderful save. Another day, that might go in and we’d have got all three points with no goalkeeper.
 
“A point is good though. It keeps Walton a long way behind us and still in touch with those above us too.
 
“Finding a replacement will be difficult. The signing on deadline has just passed. I’ll have to look at what we can and cannot do. I’ll do whatever I can to ensure come next week, we have a goalie who is more than good enough to play. To be honest, on that performance today, Josh is good enough to play. Will I play him in goal? No. I’ll make sure we get the best goalkeeper I can at this stage of the season.”

Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 Walton Casuals
Bostik League South
Monday 1st January 2018
Match report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Andy Nunn (full set here).

​Corinthian-Casuals couldn’t have started the New Year on a better note; a vital 1-0 victory over Walton Casuals pushed the ecstatic hosts back into third place thanks to a brilliant bullet header from the superb Harry Ottaway, who sealed three points in Corinthians’ first game of 2018.

Consecutive goalless draws were rare, especially for one of the highest goal-scorers in the Bostik League South Division. The Boxing Day stalemate at Carshalton Athletic was a commendable outcome as James Bracken’s pink and brown army were tested by an energetic and relentless Robins side, but the 0-0 result away in Dartford was excruciating to watch as a dominant Casuals couldn’t break Phoenix Sport’s defence and couldn’t return to Tolworth with three points. Gabriel Odunaike’s tap-in was ludicrously adjudged offside in the final ten minutes of the match, which left the Bracken Brothers bereft on a miserable Saturday afternoon.

Things were looking up for the Casuals Contingent on New Year’s Day as manager Bracken fielded a strong starting eleven that included Terry Murray, the return of Warren Morgan and Nathan Daly, the youthful Callum McAllister, fan favourite Josh Uzun and the man on everybody’s lips around King George’s: Harry Ottaway. Ever since donning the pink & brown of Corinthians versus Thamesmead Town, his return to the strike-force has been anticipated after the no.9 netted his second superb goal on the 23rd versus East Grinstead. Reyon Dillon and the returning Brandon Johnson and Jordan Clarke were just a few names on the substitute bench for the Casuals.

As the navy away shirts of Walton lined up next to Corinth’s eleven, Stags boss Anthony Gale watched on as his players warmed up, ready for the Casuals derby. Sitting in 5th place, the visitors were one spot ahead of Corinth going into this six-pointer on the first day of the year, so an entertaining clash was expected.

Was it entertaining? Sort of. The first-half was mainly controlled by the hosts as Corinth had a flow of golden opportunities in the attacking third. Ottaway was already causing chaos in the Walton defence as the striker’s non-stop movement and involvement in attacks left gaps of all sorts in the back four. It was Ottaway who managed to swing a looping cross towards the back post after a corner fizzled out- the ball met the head of no.4 Daly, who got a powerful header on target as the defender tried his best to convert. Daly’s flick bounced off the crossbar before the rebound fell to the off-balance Odunaike, who could only thwack the ball out for a goal kick. Corners galore, Josh Uzun jogged out wide to take his trademark set-piece often in the first half, with his best kick landing perfectly for Jack Strange but the youngster’s header hit the side netting.

​Scrappy at times, the fixture resulted in many breaks in play for fouls with Walton hardman Daryl Coleman at the centre of appeals from the home side after he raised his hands at Ottaway, but only escaped with a yellow card. Former-Walton winger Oduanike was linking up well with Ottaway and others throughout the first half against his former club, but he wasn’t able to get the decisive goal. Perhaps losing focus towards the end of the half, Corinthians nearly allowed Walton to draw first blood, but a header from inside the six-yard box after a flashing cross somehow was guided over the bar. Half-time at King George’s saw both Casuals go without a goal into the next 45.

Solid efforts from keeper Denzel Gerrar and a sturdy Walton defence irritated Corinthians in the second half as half-chances came and went for the hosts in a fixture all about mentality, not just physicality. Daly was at the forefront of another great chance when his booming low effort just missed the post. Cheklit’s creativity, Max Oldham’s energy, Odunaike’s pace, Uzun’s set-piece speciality, McAllister’s cool head and Ottaway’s instinctiveness looked lethal on paper, but in reality, was being closed down well by Walton. And as Reyon Dillon entered the fray, the loud and optimistic Corinth supporters must have had the thought of another goalless draw in the back of their minds with five minutes to go. That was, until Josh Uzun was fed the ball just outside the area, on the left flank.

Uzun effortlessly flicked the ball over a bewildered navy shirt to glide past the obstruction as Corinth began another hopeful assault on the Walton defence. The no.10 was willed on by the extremely supportive contingent behind the goal who all rushed forwards in anticipation of what the terrific midfielder would do next. He then composed himself, glanced at Ottaway in the centre of the area, and clipped a pinpoint cross towards the no.9. Ottaway was ready to get his head on the perfectly angled assist, and in the 86th minute, connected with the ball that flew past the keeper and nestled into the bottom left corner. It was from quite a distance, but Ottaway’s nod had Walton’s no.1 helpless as he clutched thin air when he the ball bounced past him. Mobbed by team-mates, Ottaway raised a solitary fist in celebration whilst many Walton players were on the floor in despair. Meanwhile behind the goal, Harry’s header sent supporters into mayhem as Corinth had finally got their goal.

Four minutes later, it was full-time. A remarkable header from the impressive Harry Ottaway had sealed three, monumental points for Corinthian-Casuals; Walton Casuals left South London with zero points. We wish the Stags the best of luck with the rest of the season. James Bracken and his triumphant team had earned their first win of 2018, with a trip to Herne Bay next on the agenda.

Walton Casuals 2 - 3 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 16th April 2016
Moatside
Report by Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals left their fate to the final day of the season as they moved into the play-offs thanks to a late winner from Jamie Byatt to edge Walton Casuals 3-2 at the Moatside stadium.

After a convincing 3-0 victory at Walton & Hersham, Corinthians were looking to extend their impressive five wins in a row but were hampered by a few key absences. Dave Hodges and Emil Salama’s names did not appear on the team-sheet, with striker Byatt converting to left-back and James Cottee starting on the wing. Danny Dudley was introduced to the substitutes bench after a three game absence. Meanwhile, Walton Casuals, who are forced to play in Merstham FC's ground due to Waterside Stadium's renovation, sat in 17th place, safe from relegation with nothing apart from pride to play for. 

The first-half was end to end with both sides threatening to open the scoring. The best chance came in the fifteenth minute as Ben King stood over a free-kick, weighing up his chances. The centre-back curled a brilliant set-piece onto the top of the crossbar much to the relief of the helpless Walton keeper Brannon Daly.

Daly was called into action again as three minutes later, a low Niall Wright effort was a straight-forward save for the hosts's shot-stopper. Perhaps due to the horrendous condition of the goal-mouth, Daly let the ball go and the in-form Shaun Okojie took advantage, tapping the ball into the net for his seventeenth of the season. Still dwelling on his previous mistake, Daly nearly fumbled Josh Uzun's corner into his own net before the crossbar came to the rescue. On the half-hour, Corinthians fans behind the goal were celebrating but not for anything to do with the game in front of them. With play-off rivals Faversham Town losing and Hastings drawing, Casuals moved into fifth place, the play-offs!

The jubilance lasted ten minutes until Walton equalised; Omar Folkes found himself with a clear opportunity to level the game and he did- even if the powerful effort deflected before finding the net. With new found confidence, Walton nearly took the lead before half-time but skipper Scott Day’s shot sailed over the bar.

The hazardous strike-partnership of Folkes and Odunaike looked to tire the Casuals defence in the second half. That became apparent when Odunaike rounded keeper Bracken but could only hit the side-netting. That missed opportunity for Walton was to be rued as Uzun broke his fourteen games without a goal. The midfielder side-footed the ball into the far corner ahead of the crazy celebrations that ensued from fans and players as Casuals resumed their lead.

Terry 'Butcher' Murray headed the ball just over the bar from a corner as the visitors pressurized the busy Walton defence, searching for a third goal. Nevertheless, the hosts also had chances to score- and they took one of them. The dangerous Odunaike was set through on goal and after racing past Bracken, the speedy striker passed the ball into the net with ease as Walton equalized for the second time.

With fifteen minutes to go, there was one proven goalscorer that could save the away side. However, club legend Jamie Byatt was playing his role at left-back. Nevertheless, Warren Morgan trespassed his way through the worried Walton defence on the byline, he delivered a fantastic pinpoint pass into the area for the oncoming Byatt to slot home. The left-back used his striker's instinct to find space and to convert the ball into the near post. Byatt screamed in delight at his third goal of the season and it proved to be the winning one.

Play-off rivals Faversham Town lost 2-1 at East Grinstead while Hastings gained a point during the 2-2 draw at Ramsgate, which mean Casuals edge into the play-offs with only one game to go. The final day of the season will see Casuals face Three Bridges at home, Hastings host Herne Bay and Faversham play Hythe Town. As James Bracken said: “Our fate is in our hands.”

Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 1 Walton Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 16th February 2016
Attendance: 118
Match report: Stuart Tree. Pics: Andy Nunn (full set here)​

Corinthian-Casuals suffered their first league loss of 2016 in a tepid display which saw Walton Casuals leave King George’s Arena with three valuable points.
 
Corinth mustered just one shot on target, coming from central defender Terry Murray in a game which will hardly go down in the annals of history as a classic.
 
James Bracken’s side came into the game on the back of two vital wins which propelled them within touching distance of the playoff places. Casuals were practically unchanged from the Saturday where they notched up an impressive 4-0 win against Chatham Town. However, top-scorer Josh Uzun was the notable absentee following his injury in the previous game.
 
Walton Casuals, who in recent times have struggled to pick up points against their hosts were languishing in 19th, just off the relegation zone. Comments made by Assistant Manager Dan Pringle were echoed by Bracken after the match that the home side were perhaps too complacent in thinking they could easily achieve a victory. Inconsistency rules in the Ryman South and no win can be taken for granted.
 
Tony Gale’s Stags started brightly and Corinth Captain Danny Bracken was forced into early action. Walton skipper Scott Day, who caused problems all night for the Corinth defence, sent in a dipping shot which looked to have caught Bracken off his line, but the keeper tipped the shot over the bar in dramatic style.
 
A Dave Hodges cross narrowly avoided an oncoming Emmanuel Akokhia, who was looking to score three games on the trot, but in truth, rarely looked like scoring. His penetrating run into the box ended with a wild shot blazed high, wide and still heading for the Industrial Estate as we speak. That was about as good as it got for the home side.
 
Despite that, the Stags had also failed to impose themselves on the game, though arguably looked better in possession. The game’s ultimate killer blow came into added on time for the first half; a whipped in corner was met by an unmarked Day, and the experienced captain made no mistake in burying his header.
 
Bouyed by leading on the stroke of half time, Walton stepped up a gear in the second half and Bracken arguably kept the home side in the game, producing a string of fine saves. Twice, the Casuals’ custodian saved from one-on-one chances and was rightly singled out by his Brother after the match as perhaps the only Casuals player that played to his potential.
 
With only a Niall Wright shot narrowly missing Brannon Daly’s goal and a tame shot from Terry Murray to report on, it’s disappointing how little Casuals tested Daly, who was struggling with an injury, picked up in a collision with Juevan Spencer midway through the second period. As the old adage says ‘Corinth could have played all night and not scored’ and never a truer word was spoken on this occasion.
 
Uncharacteristically, it was the first time Casuals had fired a blank in seventeen matches.   
 
After the match, James Bracken commented on the performance, “We started awfully slow and they started well. As I said before the game, Walton Casuals have got good players and if they perform, they’re a good side. I think they performed well and the first fifteen minutes is probably as good as they get.
 
“But we were stand-offish and we just felt that we had no real intensity. We’ve had enough lessons and should realise by now that in this league, you have to turn up and perform to your potential. We didn’t do that and ultimately, that wasn’t good enough.
 
“After looking so good going forward at the weekend, we muster one shot on target and it leaves you scratching your head. We’re not telling them to do anything different. We’ve asked them to do the same thing as we did against Chatham but for whatever reason, tonight we couldn’t do it.
 
“I’m not going to single out individuals but who played well? Probably Dan (Bracken) in goal. Beyond that, you’re struggling to find one who’s had a good game by their own standards. You can’t play that way. You can carry one or two… have eight or nine players who are on it and leave a couple to have an off-day but you cannot have the amount of ineffective players that we did today and win a game of football.
 
“We’re not out of it. We’ve won two out of the last three. If we win two of the next three, we’ll be right up in there. If we win two out of the next three after that, we’ll probably be knocking on the door. We’re not going to get to panicky. We’ll brush ourselves down.” 

Walton Casuals 1-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Wednesday 4th March 2015
Ryman League Division One South
Match report and pic: Stuart Tree

Jamie Byatt scored for a third consecutive league match to earn Corinthian-Casuals a hard-fought point at Waterside Drive but Manager Matt Howard issued an apology to anyone watching their performance.

Speaking after the match, which ended one apiece, Howard said “I apologise to anyone who paid to watch that tonight… it was dire. That’s probably the worst game of football I’ve ever seen in my life. It was awful.

“I’ll state now that we will never ever play that bad ever again. We were shocking tonight!”

Corinthian-Casuals travelled the short distance with a depleted squad, having both first choice centre-backs unavailable. In their place were the extremely green replacements of Jake Downs and Andy Mills – the number of first team appearances between them could be counted on one hand.

There was also a return for Steve Goddard who hadn’t donned the Casuals’ shirt since October. Jamie Byatt once again took on the Captaincy in place of the missing Joe Hicks.

Walton Casuals came into the match on the back of two league defeats but had recently climbed out of the relegation places. This wasn’t going to be as easy a task to get three points as the previous league meeting between the two back in August – Corinth winning 4-1.

And so it proved; Walton took the early lead through Scott Day. Goalkeeper Danny Bracken was unable to hold onto a vicious shot and the resulting fumble fell to the number 10 who stabbed home from close range.

Corinth were unperturbed by going a goal down and good interlinking play between Jamie Byatt and Dave Hodges saw the latter’s shot curl just wide of the far post.

Minutes later, neat forward play from the visitors saw a penalty awarded and Byatt immediately stepped up, looking to make amends for the saved spot kick on Saturday. With his trademark long run-up, Byatt placed it to the left of Tom Wellham and levelled the scores.

In what can only be described accurately as ‘scrappy’, chances fell to both sides who could’ve capitalised better on the misfortunes of either defence. Byatt and Spencer had excellent chances in a goalmouth scramble (a common theme for the evening) and Danny Green’s 20 yard effort screamed over the bar. Walton did have the ball in the net on the stroke of half time, but the referee adjudged the Stag’s forward to have committed a foul on Bracken in the process.

The second half began with Charlie Carter replacing Goddard to make his debut for the club. Walton pressed for a second goal and came close when the ever-dangerous Day struck the crossbar. The Stags almost bundled another goal in similar fashion to the first, but this time Bracken was there to turf the ball out of play.

The only real notable chance for Corinth fell in the dying minutes as Charlie Carter had a chance to cap his debut with a goal, but his excellent effort was matched by Wellham in goal.

Afterwards, Matt Howard spoke of the performance.

“Before the game I’d have said that was two points dropped but after the match, that’s a point gained. I apologise to anyone who paid to watch that tonight… it was dire. That’s probably the worst game of football I’ve ever seen in my life. It was awful.

“Six or seven weeks ago, we’d have lost that, but we’ve mustered a draw. With the players that we have out, if you’d have said before the game against Whyteleafe that we’ll take four points from there and here, I’d have been happy.

“But I do feel we’ve dropped two points here after getting the win on Saturday. It’s a good point but I’ll state now that we will never ever play that bad ever again. We were shocking tonight!

“Walton Casuals will win games for sure. They’ll be livid though… that’s two points dropped for them.

“Our situation in the league is a strange one. We’re still looking over our shoulder at the teams below but we’re also thinking ‘how far can we push up the table’?”

Walton Casuals 1-2 Corinthian-Casuals
Surrey Senior Cup 2nd Round
Tuesday 25th November 2014
Match report: Darren Pasley

Casuals mini recent revival continued as they progressed through to the next round of the Surrey Senior Cup.

Although a tie against the side propping up the division on paper looked comfortable enough the home side now under the management of Liam Collins had certainly improved of late although they still await their first win on home soil this season in the league.

The game was in serious doubt in the 24 hours leading up to the match and despite the pitch being past fit by referee Paul Johnson the floodlights failed 2 hours before kick off. Thankfully an electrician was on hand to fix apart from one set but with the officials happy enough with the remaining light the game went ahead.

The home side full of confidence following away draws at Hastings and leaders Faversham attacked with intent early on and in the 3rd minute Billy Dunn went close to a spectacular opener when after cutting in from the left he fizzed a shot from 20 yards just over Danny Brackens bar.

The hosts came close to capping off their strong opening to the match when Gabriel Odunaike slotted the ball home but thankfully the referees whistle had long gone for offside against the Stags dangerman.

For all their attacking promise the home side looked vulnerable at the back and Casuals looked to expose this. With gaps appearing especially in the full back areas the visitors looked to utilise the space. Juevan Spencer the first to nearly profit from this when he was inches away from Car Wilson-Denis’s centre following a superb ball pitched up by Jamie Byatt.

The first effort on target arrived in the 20th minute when a short corner was rolled out to Merrick James-Lewis who’s fierce drive stung the palms of Danny Bracken.

Within two minutes and the game had its opening goal. After working the ball well Spencer was allowed space to fire in a shot from the edge of the area, which was blocked. The rebound fell invitingly to Joe Robson and despite Chico Ramos making a flying block the rebound fell to Jamie Byatt who smashed home low left footed from 12 yards into the corner of the net.

Walton’s best chance of the half arrived in the 34th minute. A long ball over the top seemed routine enough for Bracken to clear but with the ball holding up on the increasingly heavy surface, Scott Day managed to arrive before and knock the ball past the keeper. However despite an unguarded net his effort lacked the direction and conviction and Mason Welch-Turner was able to retrieve from the byline and carry the ball out.

The home side were struggling to deal with Casuals releasing the ball early into the wide areas which left them exposed and it was from this route the visitors took a firm grip of the match.


With 4 minutes remaining of the half a quick goal kick from Bracken saw Abiola-Daramola misjudge the ball allowing Vidal down the left wing. His low cross was perfect for the arriving Byatt who clinically finished past Ramos from a central position to double the lead.

The home side responded after the break with a couple of substitutes and it seemed to do the trick as they heaped the pressure on Casuals from the start.

On 55 minutes James-Lewis fired off a warning when his shot was inches wide of Bracken's left hand post and a minute later the Stags were back in the tie.


A goal kick was headed back towards the visiting defence and Odunaike, goalside of his marker raced clear to sidefoot home.

 Five  minutes later and the home side should have leveled matters when Scott Day stooped low to head against the post and having reacted quickly to the rebound he blazed wildly over from 6 yards out.

The pressure continued and Ben Bowra who was superb throughout survived a handball shout from a cross which struck his arm inside the area.

Substitute Jordan Johnson went close twice in as many minutes firstly with a shot from distance that skidded just wide.  A minute later again with his left foot he curled just wide of Bracken's left hand up-right.

Walton thought the pressure had finally told in the 82nd minute when James-Lewis who was outstanding throughout curled an effort from just inside the area around Bracken but Welch-Turner made a spectacular block on the line. It was an incredible piece of defending and typified the resolute attitude of the visiting backline all evening

Scott Day again nearly benefited from a right wing cross but this time was inches away despite flinging himself at full length as the game entered its final minutes.

 Casuals only serious attack at goal came in stoppage time when Bamoussa Cisse rode through the heart of the hosts defence but saw his effort blocked by Ramos. There was still time for Jordan Cheadle to have a last gasp free kick drop just over the bar.

 Summing the match up Matt Howard commented afterwards

“It was a proper cup tie – We controlled the first half and they the second.

"It was a good win for us and also gave me the opportunity to give some game time to the lads that haven’t had as much of late.”

“Walton are a good side and they will be no where near the foot of the table come the end of the season. I hope we can take this form into Saturday and get a much needed three points.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corinthian-Casuals 4-1 Walton Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Attendance 140
Monday 25th August 2014
By Darren Pasley

Pictures: Stuart Tree


Corinthian-Casuals made it back-to-back home wins on the Walton clubs as a dominant second half performance earned the 3 points to send them up to 7th in Ryman South Division Table.

With many local games falling foul to the horrendous weather it was a credit to the King George’s Arena groundstaff that the game never looked in any doubt. 

The home side nearly took the lead inside the first 120 seconds when Maz Bettache had an effort from a free kick saved by Badiali who produced a superb flying stop to tip the ball over. Michael Fahm was next to try his luck but after cutting inside he prodded a right rooted effort well wide of goal. The visitors were soon into their grove and after a few promising moves they threatened Danny Brackens goal for the first time when ex Tooting & Mitcham midfielder Sol Patterson-Bohner curled just over from 20 yards.

In the opening stages it seemed as if the Casuals in Orange were adjusting to the monsoon like conditions better and on 10 minutes the games real first chance arrived. Danny Dudley despite making a superb covering tackle in avertedly sent the ball into the path of Odunaike, however with Danny Bracken expertly positioned on the edge of his box the striker found his shot blocked yet the ball fell invitingly to Connor French but his side-footed effort from distance went wide of the open goal.

Shortly afterwards the reliable keeper was on hand again to preserve the scoreline getting down low to another effort from Odunaike as the visitors sensed an uncharacteristically lacklustre start from the home side.

On 24 minutes it was the turn of visiting keeper Luke Badiali to excel as he flung himself to his right to keep out Nial Wrights 25 yard left footed effort. The tide of the game was beginning to turn with Casuals keeping the ball better and the games best chance fell 9 minutes before the break when Lee Hall dinked a lovely though ball over the visiting defence to play in Carl Wilson-Dennis. However despite having what seemed like all the time in the world the experienced striker was outfoxed by Badiali who got down low and made the save leaving the striker still seeking to open his Casuals account.

The home side continued to press and after a spell of pressure at the end of the half the deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of half time.

With another cross not fully cleared by the less than commanding Badiali Bettache sent the ball back in from the right hand side and Michael Fahm produced a stunning overhead kick from the edge of the box which flew into the top right hand corner. It was a magnificent effort and one out of contrast to what had been a relatively poor first half from both sides.(celebrations pictured left)

The second period saw Corinthian’s take the initiative from the start and the lead was doubled soon after the restart. Danny Brackens long clearance seemed a routine clearance for the visiting back line but Simon Huckle attempted a back header to his keeper and the ball looped over Badiali and into the net.

Substitute Michael Salako on for the poorly Jamie Byatt at half time was showing plenty of promise on his debut. Fresh from a blistering start to the season for the reserves he nearly opened his account for the first team on 56 minutes when a right wing cross found its way to him but from 6 yards Badiali made a great block. Wilson-Dennis was soon to have another go, this time from distance but his effort was just wide of the left hand post.

The visitors sensing their 6th successive defeat seemed demoralised and apart from a long range Jack Barton effort which was saved well by Bracken on the wet surface they offered little as an attacking threat.

The game was put to bed as the match approached its final quarter. Hall playing in Dave Hodges inside the box and his intelligent cushioned header saw Salako arrive timely to finish into the corner from a central position.(pictured below)

This seemed to spark Walton into life and Connor French had a couple of efforts over, both times showing good footwork to manoeuvre himself into position.

Salako doubled his tally and added Casuals 4th on 79 minutes. A simple ball over the top saw him hold off his defender and after driving into the box finished well into left hand corner. It was an impressive showing from the debut striker.

Again the visitors threw men forward trying to salvage a consolation and Sullivan and Cover both had efforts wide of Brackens goal. As the game approached injury time they did find a way past Bracken as substitute Jamil Okai slid home after a great save by the keeper. It was harsh on Bracken who deserved a clean sheet. There was still time for Dave Hodges to have a final effort saved by Badiali before the full time whistle.

Speaking after the match Matt Howard commented,

“I thought we were poor to start off with and we could’ve found ourselves 3-0 down, but we didn’t – we stayed in the game and the rest is history as they say!

“Conditions were tough. I actually turned round to their manager 20 minutes in and said I don’t think the game will finish, such was the rain. But with other games postponed, it shows what a good job Rob (Darby) and Brian (Adamson) do with the pitch. Even after the game, you wouldn’t know there’s been a match played, that’s how good it is.

“Considering the rain, Danny Bracken in goal was top class and I felt for him as he deserved a clean sheet today. It was poor from us where we’re 4-0 up and should see the game out, so to concede in the 90th minute, we weren’t very happy with that.

“Great debut from Michael Salako who came on and took two very good goals.

“It’s good – we’re slowly getting where we need to be. It’s just disappointing we conceded late on Saturday (against Hythe) because that would’ve been lovely to take six points over the weekend. But we’re unbeaten in three now, so I’m pleased with that.”