Corinthian-Casuals 1-2 Ashford Town (Middx)
Cascoe-Rogers 56 Young 76, Khan 93
Saturday, December 23 2023
Pitching In Isthmian League South Central Division
Attendance 190
Report by Finlay Stubbs
Photo by Stuart Tree
A free kick in stoppage time left Corinthian-Casuals stunned as they fell to a 2-1 defeat over Ashford Town on Saturday.
It was an improved performance from Andy Gray’s side, who took the lead through Shea Cascoe-Rogers in the 56th minute.
However a spirited last 15 minutes from Ashford ensured their side secured the early Christmas present from King George’s Arena.
Casuals returned back home looking to rectify a heavy defeat to Uxbridge the week before and were up the for the battle early on with both teams looking to gain success through direct passes forward and retain possession in the midfield through second balls.
The first chance of the afternoon fell to Ashford Town’s Connor Young whose effort was well saved by Dan Purdue in the Casuals goal.
It was then Ashford’s goalkeeper Harry Cant’s turn to keep Casuals at bay, denying Saweed Djinadoo’s header from a free kick delivered into the box by Jack Smith.
Cant was quickly called into action again denying Djinadoo, this time one on one to keep the Casuals striker at bay.
Cascoe-Rogers was next to test the Ashford keeper as he finished off his mazy run by stinging the palms of Cant, who got down low well to deny the young winger.
Chances kept on coming for both sides as Sam Humphries’ volleyed effort from outside the box was well-saved by Purdue to ensure both teams went into the break on terms.
After both teams failed to take control of the opening stages of the second half, Casuals took the lead when Cascoe-Rogers poked home from close range following a cross into the box to put his side ahead.
Alexander Sami was at the heartbeat of Ashford’s attacking play and almost got his side back on level terms with a teasing volley that just looped over the bar.
One almost became two for Casuals when Cascoe-Rogers’ free kick was met at the far post by Matt Smith, unfortunately his powerful header flew just over the bar.
The hosts then looked to defend their lead, sitting deep and looking to clear any balls that came into their box.
When in possession, Casuals looked for the pace of Cascoe-Rogers in behind the Ashford back line, but the forward was left isolated up front on his own.
However the visitors got their leveller as Young found space in the Casuals area and curled his effort past Purdue to put scores level with 15 minutes left to play.
The goal looked to have lifted Ashford’s spirits and they pushed for a late winner by putting crosses into the box and winning free-kicks in dangerous areas.
Then in the third minute of added time, Ashford got their winner as Khan’s long-range free kick found the corner of the net, past the despairing Purdue, to complete his side’s comeback and leave Casuals deflated.
Despite the defeat it was an improved performance from Andy Gray’s side, who created many chances throughout the game and should feel hard done by to not take at least a point out of the game with spirited performances from Cascoe-Rogers and young Jack Lillie in midfield.
Next up for Casuals is a short trip to Leatherhead on Boxing Day where Gray’s side look to bounce back from the defeat.
Corinthian-Casuals: Purdue; Clarke, Bridges, Smith, Walton; Lillie (Cascoe 83), Smith, Quarm, Majekodunmi; Djinadoo (Kaate 83), Cascoe-Rogers
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