Corinth Too Strong for Chips

Chipstead 0-2 Corinthian-Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 28th March 2015
Report and pics: Stuart Tree

Corinthian-Casuals convincingly defeated out-of-form Chipstead in the Ryman League Division One South on Saturday but had to wait until the 86th minute to claim all three points.

Casuals, who were visiting Chip’s rural High Road home were playing their fourth match in seven days. Chipstead came into the match looking for their first point in six matches.

Boss Matt Howard made a couple of changes from the side that lost at Hendon two days before; both Lee Hall and Dave Hodges returned with Jason Turley and Reece Placid making way.

Corinth’s attacking intentions were clear from the offset. Dave Hodges reminded everone how much he was missed at Hendon by making penetrating runs on the wing. A sharp shot from the winger was well parried by Milan in goal but the resulting loose ball couldn’t be converted by either Max Austin or Jamie Byatt.

Chipstead remained resolute in their defence as further attacks from Byatt and Maz Bettache were blocked when goalbound. Byatt actually had a few chances to put the Casuals ahead but as the game progressed, it became apparent it could easily be ‘one of those afternoons’.  Jake Gill, playing in a more attacking role also pushed forward and his surging run was well stopped by the Chip’s keeper.

The second half commenced much the same as the first ended though Chipstead looked like they would be the first to open the scoring. Andrew Dalhouse broke through Corinth’s back line and brushed off a last ditch Joe Hicks challenge, he rounded Bracken in goal only to find Jake Downs back on the line to clear.

This clearly woke the visitors and the realisation that time was ticking on and they had nothing to show for their dominant possession. Matt Howard introduced Andy Mills to the attack and his presence soon caused the Chip’s defence problems. Jake Downs’ fine ball found Mills but his effort was well matched by Milan.

By now, it was all one way traffic; Bettache’s vicious shot narrowly passed the post and Mills’ header can only go wide from a good position. Time was nearly up and Corinth had nothing to show for their continued wasteful efforts.

However, in the 86th minute, sighs of relief could be heard around the ground when Andy Mills netted his first goal for the club. Dave Hodges, who’d been lively all afternoon found Mills in the box and he calmly tucked the ball away in the far corner.

Naturally, Chipstead pushed forward to look for an equaliser and worried a few Corinth supporters by coming close on occasion but the three points were sealed in time added on. Byatt was fouled in a dangerous position, but instead of playing the ball into the corner, Bettache and Byatt cleverly linked in a move straight off the training ground. Bettache’s slick pass played in Byatt for his cross to find an unmarked Juevan Spencer who, in the words of the Corinth fans “had enough time to roll a fag” before slotting home.

Though it took 86 minutes to register any score, it was a performance that Howard and all Casuals’ supporters could be happy with.

After the match, Kevin Barker from the management team spoke of the win,

“We finished stronger for sure. Matt made a couple of good substitutions which really helped.

“As soon as we got one goal, it was evident we were going to get two. Andy Mills took his goal really well… top draw.

“The second goal was excellent from the free kick. Well worked.

“We’re now looking at a top eight finish if possible. We’ve got some hard games coming up, like Tuesday night against Three Bridges but if we can get results against teams like then who knows. We’re playing some good football at the moment and it’s all in our own hands.”

Pics from the match can be seen here.

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