Kingstonian 1-2 Corinthian-Casuals
Boachie 88 Dowridge 50
Thompson 52
Pitching In Isthmian Premier League
Monday 2 January, 2023
Attendance: 336
Match Report by Finlay Stubbs
Photo by Andy Nunn
Casuals kicked off 2023 with an excellent victory against local rivals Kingstonian to end an 11-year wait for a derby win in a closely fought affair.
We made the short trip to Morden, where Kingstonian currently groundshare with Tooting and Mitcham United, for a game which both teams came into looking to bounce back from defeats over the festive period.
The two teams walked out to a crowd of 336 at Imperial fields, wearing their away kits in support of homeless charity Shelter’s ‘No Home Kit' campaign. Casuals manager Justin Fevrier gave full debuts to striker Jack Mead and midfielder Joseph Halsey for what was a highly anticipated derby, following a tough defeat to Kingstonian in the Surrey Senior Cup in December.
Casuals almost got off to the worst possible start, as Joseph Boachie won the ball straight from kick-off and tested goalkeeper Callum Coulter with a shot from range after nine seconds. Boachie continued to be a threat in the opening stages as another effort whistled just wide.
The game was fiercely contested in the midfield, with both managers trying to work out each other's game plans. This meant the half lacked real quality and chances from both teams.
As the half continued, though, Casuals started to grow into the game with a few impressive passing sequences and crosses into the penalty area, albeit without seriously troubling the Kingstonian defence. The home side then came close to making the breakthrough after a cross from the lively Boachie was put wide shortly before the half was brought to a close.
Both managers made changes at the start of the second half in an attempt to make the breakthrough, with Nat Pinney replacing Mead up front for Casuals, while our former player Michael Abnett made way for Dwight Pascal for the hosts.
The change seemed to work perfectly for Casuals after a cross from Zack Chislett made its way to Sam Dowridge, who poked home his first goal for the club from close range to put the visitors ahead, five minutes after the start of the half. Casuals continued to put pressure on the Kingstonian backline and doubled their lead two minutes later when substitute Pinney found captain Ricardo Thompson, who fired home the second with an outstanding strike from range.
The hosts looked to mount a comeback by putting crosses into the Casuals area, but the defence and Coulter remained resolute, halting any opportunities that might have arisen.
Full of confidence, Thompson valiantly worked hard to win the ball back high up the pitch and almost created another opening after he found Pinney in the box, but the forward put his effort over the bar.
The game started to open up with chances for both teams after Coulter was called into action again, making a superb save after a header from ex-Casuals defender Danny Dudley following a corner. Kingstonian continued to put pressure on and a cross from the left skimmed the top of the crossbar.
Yet we kept pushing forward and continued to create chances, and after more excellent hold-up play from Pinney found Dowridge on the edge of the box, the attacking midfielder saw his effort blaze over the bar.
Dowridge continued to cause problems for Kingstonian and almost got his second after an excellent run forward, but saw his effort saved by the feet of Kingstonian's long-serving goalkeeper Rob Tolfrey.
At the other end, Coulter was called into action again shortly afterwards, smothering the ball at the feet of the onrushing Boachie. However, the Casuals stopper was denied a clean sheet when a cross whipped in by Chevron McLean found the dangerous Boachie, who halved the deficit to set up a thrilling end to the game.
When five minutes of additional time were announcewd, Kingstonian suddenly had belief that they could level the game and were given a great opportunity after Casuals conceded a foul on the edge of the area, for which goalkeeper Tolfrey came forward to join the attack. Thankfully for the visitors, the free-kick was well held by Coulter and the full-time whistle was blown.
It was another immense away performance for Casuals, following our recent win at Billericay Town, and this one was made all the sweeter as it brought and end to a disappointing losing streak against our local rivals. The whole team played with a sense of freedom in the second half and deserved the victory after two very well-worked goals. Furthermore, the defence was excellent, backed up by an outstanding performance by goalkeeper Coulter in only his second game for the club.
With the squad growing in confidence game by game, Fevrier's side clearly believe they can build from recent victories and climb the table.
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Kudyiwa, Thompson, Hyman; Chislett, Jackson, Halsey, Dowridge; Masikini, Stokoe; Mead
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