Met Police 0 - 1 Corinthian-Casuals
Alan Turvey Trophy (Robert Dyas League Cup Round 2)
Tuesday 8th November 2016
Match report: Cameron Smith. Pics Stuart Tree (full set here)
Video (below): Fox in the Box Productions
In the second round of the Alan Turvey Trophy, unorthodox goal-scorer Danny Dudley nicked the winner against the Metropolitan Police, ensuring Corinthian-Casuals a place in the next stage.
Recovering from the abandonment of Saturday’s league match against Molesey (the score-line at 2-0 to Casuals with twenty minutes to go), all eyes were on James Bracken and his team-sheet. A much-changed side featured four switches in all positions with Terry Murray and Danny Dudley reciprocating their centre-back partnership for the first time since early September. The signing of Max Oldham and the temporary re-signing of fans’ favourite Joe Hicks started. The grit of enforcer Brandon Johnson entered the midfield whilst Josh Gallagher was rested.
In the previous round, Casuals defeated Whyteleafe thanks to goals from Josh Uzun and Shaun Brown but tonight’s opponents were a level higher - Ryman Premier Division side Metropolitan Police. The historical works-based side, who won their first home game of the season on Saturday, are currently second from bottom. With the third round in sight, Met Police were hoping to put their troubles in the league behind them and focus on potential silverware.
Hovering at just over freezing point, the one-hundred and three spectators prepared themselves for the a chilly 90 minutes. The pink and brown shirts of Casuals started the brightest with wingers Ben Cheklit and newbie Max Oldham dictating the fast-paced tempo, both with early half-chances. Speedy and agile, Oldham bamboozled full-backs from the off, testing the Police keeper and defence with dangerous crosses after tricky individual skill. On the other hand, the Met, also unafraid to attack, had Danny Bracken diving to catch a cheeky effort from no.10 Dan Summers.
Intensity lowered, the game restored composure before the quiet spell ceased - Brandon Johnson sparking a late surge to find the net before half-time. The midfielder struck a powerful, dipping shot, which caught the Met keeper Baxter off guard before the rebound was missed by the unlucky Brown. His last action before an early departure, Brown limped off the pitch; clearly injured. Okojie was introduced and nearly grabbed the opening goal if it were not for the gloves of the busy Baxter. Players left the pitch with honours-even at half-time.
Most fans retreated to the warmth of the clubhouse at Imber Court, slow to return to the cold as the second-half started. A cluster of Casuals set-pieces were confidently dealt with by the Met until a particularly threatening corner from Uzun in the 48th minute. Flashing the ball into the crowded six yard box, Uzun’s corner was met by Joe Hicks before deflecting off a blue shirt and finding it’s way onto the goal-line. Dudley ran from his marker to stab the ball home as Casuals deservedly took the lead and certainly not guilty of robbery.
Brave Bracken decided to not sit back and defend but to rush forward and attack. Controlling the game, Casuals were unable to grab the all-important second goal as more set-pieces and chances went begging. It seemed like the goal had dented the Met’s confidence as the hosts’ charge for an equaliser was declared ineffective. Met’s moment of brilliance came late in the match with Danny Bracken preventing a near-disaster of an own-goal as a darting cross from a Met winger was nearly turned in by a pink and brown shirt. A penalty shootout was spared as the referee blew to signal full-time - Casuals were the victors.
After the match, Manager James Bracken gave his thoughts.
“Thoroughly deserved that tonight. We played well. We were bright, organised, creative... everything you'd want.
“I just said to the lads that if they play like that in the league, we'll win every game. There's no one that can touch us when we play like that. I don't think there's many sides in our league that can play that way.
“We have to remember that we've gone about winning in that style with six or seven missing. Those players you'd consider as contenders for starting. Anyone watching that tonight wouldn't believe that. They'll have thought that's our strongest team.
“What is our strongest team at the moment? I don't know. You give these lads opportunities, you change it around and then they turn in performances that give you a real headache. That's exactly what our squad is about and what competition is about.
“Now I have to go away and ensure I pick a side for Saturday that's fresh and in-form to go and win another game of football.
“We look forward to facing Merstham in the next round. They're currently coming off the buzz of the FA Cup and I'm sure they'll take this competition seriously too. I don't believe they have a reserve side at the moment so they don't have a massive pool of players. For that reason, it'll be close to a first team that they name. It'll be another good occasion where we can claim another scalp.
“I've said before, this competition, the FA Trophy, FA Cup and the League are the ones we're really looking at to excel in. League form and position can dictate what you can and can't do in these games but with our squad, we can make several changes and still perform at a very good level.”
Ryman Division One South football is back on Saturday as Casuals take on high flyers Dorking Wanderers at Westhumble. Will Casuals overcome one of the league’s favourites?
Alan Turvey Trophy (Robert Dyas League Cup Round 2)
Tuesday 8th November 2016
Match report: Cameron Smith. Pics Stuart Tree (full set here)
Video (below): Fox in the Box Productions
In the second round of the Alan Turvey Trophy, unorthodox goal-scorer Danny Dudley nicked the winner against the Metropolitan Police, ensuring Corinthian-Casuals a place in the next stage.
Recovering from the abandonment of Saturday’s league match against Molesey (the score-line at 2-0 to Casuals with twenty minutes to go), all eyes were on James Bracken and his team-sheet. A much-changed side featured four switches in all positions with Terry Murray and Danny Dudley reciprocating their centre-back partnership for the first time since early September. The signing of Max Oldham and the temporary re-signing of fans’ favourite Joe Hicks started. The grit of enforcer Brandon Johnson entered the midfield whilst Josh Gallagher was rested.
In the previous round, Casuals defeated Whyteleafe thanks to goals from Josh Uzun and Shaun Brown but tonight’s opponents were a level higher - Ryman Premier Division side Metropolitan Police. The historical works-based side, who won their first home game of the season on Saturday, are currently second from bottom. With the third round in sight, Met Police were hoping to put their troubles in the league behind them and focus on potential silverware.
Hovering at just over freezing point, the one-hundred and three spectators prepared themselves for the a chilly 90 minutes. The pink and brown shirts of Casuals started the brightest with wingers Ben Cheklit and newbie Max Oldham dictating the fast-paced tempo, both with early half-chances. Speedy and agile, Oldham bamboozled full-backs from the off, testing the Police keeper and defence with dangerous crosses after tricky individual skill. On the other hand, the Met, also unafraid to attack, had Danny Bracken diving to catch a cheeky effort from no.10 Dan Summers.
Intensity lowered, the game restored composure before the quiet spell ceased - Brandon Johnson sparking a late surge to find the net before half-time. The midfielder struck a powerful, dipping shot, which caught the Met keeper Baxter off guard before the rebound was missed by the unlucky Brown. His last action before an early departure, Brown limped off the pitch; clearly injured. Okojie was introduced and nearly grabbed the opening goal if it were not for the gloves of the busy Baxter. Players left the pitch with honours-even at half-time.
Most fans retreated to the warmth of the clubhouse at Imber Court, slow to return to the cold as the second-half started. A cluster of Casuals set-pieces were confidently dealt with by the Met until a particularly threatening corner from Uzun in the 48th minute. Flashing the ball into the crowded six yard box, Uzun’s corner was met by Joe Hicks before deflecting off a blue shirt and finding it’s way onto the goal-line. Dudley ran from his marker to stab the ball home as Casuals deservedly took the lead and certainly not guilty of robbery.
Brave Bracken decided to not sit back and defend but to rush forward and attack. Controlling the game, Casuals were unable to grab the all-important second goal as more set-pieces and chances went begging. It seemed like the goal had dented the Met’s confidence as the hosts’ charge for an equaliser was declared ineffective. Met’s moment of brilliance came late in the match with Danny Bracken preventing a near-disaster of an own-goal as a darting cross from a Met winger was nearly turned in by a pink and brown shirt. A penalty shootout was spared as the referee blew to signal full-time - Casuals were the victors.
After the match, Manager James Bracken gave his thoughts.
“Thoroughly deserved that tonight. We played well. We were bright, organised, creative... everything you'd want.
“I just said to the lads that if they play like that in the league, we'll win every game. There's no one that can touch us when we play like that. I don't think there's many sides in our league that can play that way.
“We have to remember that we've gone about winning in that style with six or seven missing. Those players you'd consider as contenders for starting. Anyone watching that tonight wouldn't believe that. They'll have thought that's our strongest team.
“What is our strongest team at the moment? I don't know. You give these lads opportunities, you change it around and then they turn in performances that give you a real headache. That's exactly what our squad is about and what competition is about.
“Now I have to go away and ensure I pick a side for Saturday that's fresh and in-form to go and win another game of football.
“We look forward to facing Merstham in the next round. They're currently coming off the buzz of the FA Cup and I'm sure they'll take this competition seriously too. I don't believe they have a reserve side at the moment so they don't have a massive pool of players. For that reason, it'll be close to a first team that they name. It'll be another good occasion where we can claim another scalp.
“I've said before, this competition, the FA Trophy, FA Cup and the League are the ones we're really looking at to excel in. League form and position can dictate what you can and can't do in these games but with our squad, we can make several changes and still perform at a very good level.”
Ryman Division One South football is back on Saturday as Casuals take on high flyers Dorking Wanderers at Westhumble. Will Casuals overcome one of the league’s favourites?
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