Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 Epsom & Ewell
Combined Counties League Premier South
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn
Casuals’ final home game of the season ended in defeat to Epsom & Ewell in a final game between landlords and tenants before the Salts move on this summer.
We’ve seen a trilogy against Epsom this season, beginning with the pre-season Stella Lamont Trophy, in which the tenants reclaimed the silverware via a penalty shoot-out. Then, in August, Reyon Dillon glistened in a bright Bank Holiday triumph for Casuals as we ran out 2-1 winners.
That result had ignited a four-game winning streak, but results have since taken a turn for the worse and Casuals were disappointed not to turn their form around in our last home game – a 2-2 draw against Chipstead in which we had led 2-0. However, last weekend’s 2-1 friendly win away at Knaphill ensured that Casuals fans at least celebrated Non-League Day with a victory.
The anticipation was ascending around the ground prior to kick-off, with Casuals fans absorbing the final few hours in home territory for the campaign. They were almost treated to a timely opener on 14 minutes, when former Corinthian shot-stopper Sami Nabbad’s scuffed clearance lacked the power to beat Michael Onovwigun who played in an unmarked Jonathan Gjoshe. But Nabbad recovered well to smother the full-back’s effort.
The Salts got their first clear-cut chance of the evening on the half-hour mark, by which point the game was back and forth like a pendulum. Winger Luke Miller – whose six goals have undoubtedly contributed to his side’s relegation battle – cut in from the right with the intention of adding another to his tally, but his effort bounced back off the foot of the post.
Corinthian-Casuals had held their own for long spells, with centre-halves Arsenii Protsyshyn and Warren Morgan influential in preserving the first-half clean sheet. Although, the Corinthian rearguard looked destined to be broken just prior to the interval, when an onslaught of Epsom & Ewell strikes were bravely blocked on the line.
The 232 in attendance – regardless of who they supported – would have been content heading into the break with a respectable half for both sides and enough chances to please the neutral.
Most of the crowd had barely had enough time to return to their seats before Casuals looked their lively selves once more. Player-assistant manager Gabriel Odunaike played his third game since swapping the touchline for the turf, and it was his textbook hold-up play that allowed Ben Cheklit to dart through and finish with finesse down to Nabbad’s left, firing the hosts ahead.
Despite this, the lead dissipated just 10 minutes later when Murillo Bernardes failed in his pursuit of a bouncing ball sent over the top by Craig Dundas, leaving Luke Miller with the simple task of nodding into an empty net. Some start to the second period, but an unnecessary blow for Corinth.
Casuals fans had heads in hands amid fears that history would repeat itself, and those worries became reality on 62 minutes. Miller was pulling the strings in Corinthian territory once again, yet this time he was impeded in the area by Marcos Dos Santos, and the Fans’ Player of the Season was hastily shown his second yellow. Epsom & Ewell captain Adam Grant slammed home an unsaveable penalty, sending a portion of the crowd into jubilant cheers.
The question that everybody found themselves asking was whether there was enough time for Casuals to rescue a point at the death once again. A dancing Denis Travin forged a path into the area late before finding Dillon, but the final chance of the game went askew.
Corinthian-Casuals: Bernardes, Protsyshyn, Onovwigun (Travin 68), Morgan (Dillon 45), Gjoshe (Cheklit 45), Dos Santos, Adelakun, Masikini, Falodi (Pilonetto 61), Cadogan, Odunaike
Combined Counties League Premier South
Tuesday 25 March 2025
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Andy Nunn
Casuals’ final home game of the season ended in defeat to Epsom & Ewell in a final game between landlords and tenants before the Salts move on this summer.
We’ve seen a trilogy against Epsom this season, beginning with the pre-season Stella Lamont Trophy, in which the tenants reclaimed the silverware via a penalty shoot-out. Then, in August, Reyon Dillon glistened in a bright Bank Holiday triumph for Casuals as we ran out 2-1 winners.
That result had ignited a four-game winning streak, but results have since taken a turn for the worse and Casuals were disappointed not to turn their form around in our last home game – a 2-2 draw against Chipstead in which we had led 2-0. However, last weekend’s 2-1 friendly win away at Knaphill ensured that Casuals fans at least celebrated Non-League Day with a victory.
The anticipation was ascending around the ground prior to kick-off, with Casuals fans absorbing the final few hours in home territory for the campaign. They were almost treated to a timely opener on 14 minutes, when former Corinthian shot-stopper Sami Nabbad’s scuffed clearance lacked the power to beat Michael Onovwigun who played in an unmarked Jonathan Gjoshe. But Nabbad recovered well to smother the full-back’s effort.
The Salts got their first clear-cut chance of the evening on the half-hour mark, by which point the game was back and forth like a pendulum. Winger Luke Miller – whose six goals have undoubtedly contributed to his side’s relegation battle – cut in from the right with the intention of adding another to his tally, but his effort bounced back off the foot of the post.
Corinthian-Casuals had held their own for long spells, with centre-halves Arsenii Protsyshyn and Warren Morgan influential in preserving the first-half clean sheet. Although, the Corinthian rearguard looked destined to be broken just prior to the interval, when an onslaught of Epsom & Ewell strikes were bravely blocked on the line.
The 232 in attendance – regardless of who they supported – would have been content heading into the break with a respectable half for both sides and enough chances to please the neutral.
Most of the crowd had barely had enough time to return to their seats before Casuals looked their lively selves once more. Player-assistant manager Gabriel Odunaike played his third game since swapping the touchline for the turf, and it was his textbook hold-up play that allowed Ben Cheklit to dart through and finish with finesse down to Nabbad’s left, firing the hosts ahead.
Despite this, the lead dissipated just 10 minutes later when Murillo Bernardes failed in his pursuit of a bouncing ball sent over the top by Craig Dundas, leaving Luke Miller with the simple task of nodding into an empty net. Some start to the second period, but an unnecessary blow for Corinth.
Casuals fans had heads in hands amid fears that history would repeat itself, and those worries became reality on 62 minutes. Miller was pulling the strings in Corinthian territory once again, yet this time he was impeded in the area by Marcos Dos Santos, and the Fans’ Player of the Season was hastily shown his second yellow. Epsom & Ewell captain Adam Grant slammed home an unsaveable penalty, sending a portion of the crowd into jubilant cheers.
The question that everybody found themselves asking was whether there was enough time for Casuals to rescue a point at the death once again. A dancing Denis Travin forged a path into the area late before finding Dillon, but the final chance of the game went askew.
Corinthian-Casuals: Bernardes, Protsyshyn, Onovwigun (Travin 68), Morgan (Dillon 45), Gjoshe (Cheklit 45), Dos Santos, Adelakun, Masikini, Falodi (Pilonetto 61), Cadogan, Odunaike
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