Chances

Corinthian-Casuals 2 – 2 Badshot Lea
Combined Counties League Premier South
Saturday 6th December 2025
Report and Photos – Stuart Tree (full set here). Additional photos from Andy Nunn.

“That’s what happens when you don’t take your chances” said Coach Mo Maan following the 2-2 draw with Badshot Lea on Saturday.

A two-goal lead, courtesy of strikes from Andre Coker and Arsenii Protsyshyn looked to have been enough for Casuals to notch up their fourth win on the bounce, but the Baggies had other ideas as they struck twice to level the scores.

It’s the seventh time that Corinth have surrendered a lead this season, losing out on points after taking the lead. And the draw keeps the Tolworth outfit agonisingly outside the playoff places.

Mo Maan and Richard Blackwell were in charge following Manager Mu Maan’s suspension from the touchline and with Assistant Manager Gabriel Odunaike in the starting XI, unsurprisingly following his late winner last week at Sheerwater. They would’ve been delighted at the fast start that their side made. Coker turned his man and shot low into the bottom corner to give the home side the lead after just three minutes.

Casuals were playing pleasing-to-the-eye football; Protsyshyn’s low drive forced Roan Strong into a fine save. Scott Day had a few bites of the cherry with a volley deflected wide, a header that hit the bar and what looked like an incredible save from Strong following another close range shot. It was coming at Badshot from all angles, but Corinth could not find that elusive second.

Not until the second half at least; Protsyshyn found his scoring boots once again driving home from inside the penalty area as the rain lashed down. The perfect start to both halves. But that goal changed the game. Badshot Lea looked like they were freed up... as if the pressure was off. It saw the young side put the ball down and play. A raft of fresh legs giving them extra impetus.

Just before the hour mark, the Baggies forced home a wide free kick on the slippery surface to halve the deficit.

And with ten minutes remaining, their pressure paid off with a good move down the right, seeing Max Cunningham turn the ball home from the byline cross.

A vital goal line clearance from captain Quincy Rowe prevented Lea from making the ultimate turnaround which spurred Casuals onto late pressure. Strong remained strong in goal, with a number of stops to prevent the home side from grabbing a winner. It wouldn’t have looked out of place either… Casuals have found the net seven times in stoppage time this season. But when Clayton Afonso’s late, late header sailed over, which was the last opportunity spurned and thus the points were shared.

Did it feel like a loss? Not really, despite having a two goal advantage stripped away. The positive angle states that Casuals make it four games unbeaten in a tight race for playoff places.

“Their gaffer just come up to me after the game and said, that's what happens when you miss your chances in the first half. And that's exactly what happened,” said Mo Maan after the match.

“We had four or five chances in the first half to put the game out of bed, but yeah, it just wasn't meant to be, but we have to take it on the chin. It’s a hard one to take.

“After we scored the second goal, we stopped doing what we were doing in the first half. We were pressing them high, but I felt like as soon as we scored the second goal, we stopped doing that. I don't know why that was. Listen, Badshot Lea are a good side. They're energetic. They kept pushing us.
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To take the good from this… it’s another game unbeaten. Now we have a massive game against Cobham in a couple of weeks. But yeah, the run keeps going. Of course the boys are disappointed and it’s back to the drawing board. Hopefully we'll get the three points against Cobham.