Battling Casuals Frustrated by Hastings

Corinthian-Casuals 0-2 Hastings United
                                        Pope 28 (pen)
                                          Scott 43


Pitching In Isthmian Premier League
Saturday 11 February 2023
Attendance 286
Match Report by Finlay Stubbs
Image by Chris Randall

Corinthian-Casuals were left disappointed after two first-half goals were enough for Hastings to take the three points back to the south coast, in a game where both teams created opportunities.

After the last-gasp defeat to Horsham on Tuesday, Casuals boss Justin Fevrier gave debuts to Jola Lahan, Shaun McAuley and winger Sahid Kamara in an attempt to get back to winning ways.

The opening stages were closely fought, with both teams looking to impose their patterns of play with Mack Reilly and Kamara looking to get on the ball and test the Hastings full-backs. Casuals almost got the breakthrough when Finlay Lovatt showed resilience driving into the box, evading challenges from the Hastings defence, however his cross was just behind Kamara.

The visitors then started to create chances of their own, showing their physical presence as Ollie Black saw his header tipped over by Callum Coulter. Then Hastings were given an opportunity to take the lead after Simba Kudyiwa was adjudged to have wrestled David Smith to the ground in the Casuals area, causing the referee to point to the spot. Ben Pope stepped up and fired his effort under Coulter to put his side ahead.

Hastings gained confidence from the goal, continuing to push forward, and they almost got their second after a dangerous Black long throw caused havoc in the Casuals area. The ball eventually made its way to Freddie Legg who fired his effort just wide. The visitors were rewarded for their persistent pressure, though, and got their second before half-time after a driving run from Pope, who saw his effort from range parried into the path of Knory Scott, and he tapped his effort in to give Hastings a two goal lead at the break.

Coulter was called into action early in the second half, denying a Craig Stone header from point-blank range following a free kick from the left to deny the visitors from grabbing their third.

Casuals then got on the front foot, looking to find a way back into the game. A close-range strike from Reilly was well kept out by Louis Rogers in the Hastings goal to deny any early comeback. The hosts kept pushing forward in wide areas as a cross from Malakai Hyman found Kamara who put his header just wide from close range, and the second half onslaught from Casuals continued after Rogers pulled off a miraculous save to keep out Reilly from close range following excellent link-up play between substitute Morgan Williams – another debutant – and Lovatt.

In the closing stages, Hastings recovered their composure and had an excellent chance to snatch their third after a long-range effort from Kane Penn was well saved by Coulter in the top corner to keep the deficit at two before the full-time whistle was blown.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Casuals who at times opened up a disciplined Hastings defence in the second half, only for Rogers to deny any fightback. He earned his clean sheet with multiple reaction saves, but despite the defeat, Casuals can take confidence from the second-half display and signs that they are able to break down an organised defence.
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Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Hyman (Myers 66), Kudyiwa, Lahan, Nicholas (Dowridge 84); Lovatt, McAuley, Thompson, Kamara; Reilly; Pinney (Williams 58)