Corinthian-Casuals 4-1 Walton Casuals
Ryman League Division One South
Attendance 140
Monday 25th August 2014
By Darren Pasley
Pictures: Stuart Tree
Corinthian-Casuals made it back-to-back home wins on the Walton clubs as a dominant second half performance earned the 3 points to send them up to 7th in Ryman South Division Table.
With many local games falling foul to the horrendous weather it was a credit to the King George’s Arena groundstaff that the game never looked in any doubt.
The home side nearly took the lead inside the first 120 seconds when Maz Bettache had an effort from a free kick saved by Badiali who produced a superb flying stop to tip the ball over. Michael Fahm was next to try his luck but after cutting inside he prodded a right rooted effort well wide of goal. The visitors were soon into their grove and after a few promising moves they threatened Danny Brackens goal for the first time when ex Tooting & Mitcham midfielder Sol Patterson-Bohner curled just over from 20 yards.
In the opening stages it seemed as if the Casuals in Orange were adjusting to the monsoon like conditions better and on 10 minutes the games real first chance arrived. Danny Dudley despite making a superb covering tackle in avertedly sent the ball into the path of Odunaike, however with Danny Bracken expertly positioned on the edge of his box the striker found his shot blocked yet the ball fell invitingly to Connor French but his side-footed effort from distance went wide of the open goal.
Shortly afterwards the reliable keeper was on hand again to preserve the scoreline getting down low to another effort from Odunaike as the visitors sensed an uncharacteristically lacklustre start from the home side.
On 24 minutes it was the turn of visiting keeper Luke Badiali to excel as he flung himself to his right to keep out Nial Wrights 25 yard left footed effort. The tide of the game was beginning to turn with Casuals keeping the ball better and the games best chance fell 9 minutes before the break when Lee Hall dinked a lovely though ball over the visiting defence to play in Carl Wilson-Dennis. However despite having what seemed like all the time in the world the experienced striker was outfoxed by Badiali who got down low and made the save leaving the striker still seeking to open his Casuals account.
The home side continued to press and after a spell of pressure at the end of the half the deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of half time.
With another cross not fully cleared by the less than commanding Badiali Bettache sent the ball back in from the right hand side and Michael Fahm produced a stunning overhead kick from the edge of the box which flew into the top right hand corner. It was a magnificent effort and one out of contrast to what had been a relatively poor first half from both sides.(celebrations pictured left)
The second period saw Corinthian’s take the initiative from the start and the lead was doubled soon after the restart. Danny Brackens long clearance seemed a routine clearance for the visiting back line but Simon Huckle attempted a back header to his keeper and the ball looped over Badiali and into the net.
Substitute Michael Salako on for the poorly Jamie Byatt at half time was showing plenty of promise on his debut. Fresh from a blistering start to the season for the reserves he nearly opened his account for the first team on 56 minutes when a right wing cross found its way to him but from 6 yards Badiali made a great block. Wilson-Dennis was soon to have another go, this time from distance but his effort was just wide of the left hand post.
The visitors sensing their 6th successive defeat seemed demoralised and apart from a long range Jack Barton effort which was saved well by Bracken on the wet surface they offered little as an attacking threat.
The game was put to bed as the match approached its final quarter. Hall playing in Dave Hodges inside the box and his intelligent cushioned header saw Salako arrive timely to finish into the corner from a central position.(pictured below)
This seemed to spark Walton into life and Connor French had a couple of efforts over, both times showing good footwork to manoeuvre himself into position.
Salako doubled his tally and added Casuals 4th on 79 minutes. A simple ball over the top saw him hold off his defender and after driving into the box finished well into left hand corner. It was an impressive showing from the debut striker.
Again the visitors threw men forward trying to salvage a consolation and Sullivan and Cover both had efforts wide of Brackens goal. As the game approached injury time they did find a way past Bracken as substitute Jamil Okai slid home after a great save by the keeper. It was harsh on Bracken who deserved a clean sheet. There was still time for Dave Hodges to have a final effort saved by Badiali before the full time whistle.
Speaking after the match Matt Howard commented,
“I thought we were poor to start off with and we could’ve found ourselves 3-0 down, but we didn’t – we stayed in the game and the rest is history as they say!
“Conditions were tough. I actually turned round to their manager 20 minutes in and said I don’t think the game will finish, such was the rain. But with other games postponed, it shows what a good job Rob (Darby) and Brian (Adamson) do with the pitch. Even after the game, you wouldn’t know there’s been a match played, that’s how good it is.
“Considering the rain, Danny Bracken in goal was top class and I felt for him as he deserved a clean sheet today. It was poor from us where we’re 4-0 up and should see the game out, so to concede in the 90th minute, we weren’t very happy with that.
“Great debut from Michael Salako who came on and took two very good goals.
“It’s good – we’re slowly getting where we need to be. It’s just disappointing we conceded late on Saturday (against Hythe) because that would’ve been lovely to take six points over the weekend. But we’re unbeaten in three now, so I’m pleased with that.”
Ryman League Division One South
Attendance 140
Monday 25th August 2014
By Darren Pasley
Pictures: Stuart Tree
Corinthian-Casuals made it back-to-back home wins on the Walton clubs as a dominant second half performance earned the 3 points to send them up to 7th in Ryman South Division Table.
With many local games falling foul to the horrendous weather it was a credit to the King George’s Arena groundstaff that the game never looked in any doubt.
The home side nearly took the lead inside the first 120 seconds when Maz Bettache had an effort from a free kick saved by Badiali who produced a superb flying stop to tip the ball over. Michael Fahm was next to try his luck but after cutting inside he prodded a right rooted effort well wide of goal. The visitors were soon into their grove and after a few promising moves they threatened Danny Brackens goal for the first time when ex Tooting & Mitcham midfielder Sol Patterson-Bohner curled just over from 20 yards.
In the opening stages it seemed as if the Casuals in Orange were adjusting to the monsoon like conditions better and on 10 minutes the games real first chance arrived. Danny Dudley despite making a superb covering tackle in avertedly sent the ball into the path of Odunaike, however with Danny Bracken expertly positioned on the edge of his box the striker found his shot blocked yet the ball fell invitingly to Connor French but his side-footed effort from distance went wide of the open goal.
Shortly afterwards the reliable keeper was on hand again to preserve the scoreline getting down low to another effort from Odunaike as the visitors sensed an uncharacteristically lacklustre start from the home side.
On 24 minutes it was the turn of visiting keeper Luke Badiali to excel as he flung himself to his right to keep out Nial Wrights 25 yard left footed effort. The tide of the game was beginning to turn with Casuals keeping the ball better and the games best chance fell 9 minutes before the break when Lee Hall dinked a lovely though ball over the visiting defence to play in Carl Wilson-Dennis. However despite having what seemed like all the time in the world the experienced striker was outfoxed by Badiali who got down low and made the save leaving the striker still seeking to open his Casuals account.
The home side continued to press and after a spell of pressure at the end of the half the deadlock was finally broken on the stroke of half time.
With another cross not fully cleared by the less than commanding Badiali Bettache sent the ball back in from the right hand side and Michael Fahm produced a stunning overhead kick from the edge of the box which flew into the top right hand corner. It was a magnificent effort and one out of contrast to what had been a relatively poor first half from both sides.(celebrations pictured left)
The second period saw Corinthian’s take the initiative from the start and the lead was doubled soon after the restart. Danny Brackens long clearance seemed a routine clearance for the visiting back line but Simon Huckle attempted a back header to his keeper and the ball looped over Badiali and into the net.
Substitute Michael Salako on for the poorly Jamie Byatt at half time was showing plenty of promise on his debut. Fresh from a blistering start to the season for the reserves he nearly opened his account for the first team on 56 minutes when a right wing cross found its way to him but from 6 yards Badiali made a great block. Wilson-Dennis was soon to have another go, this time from distance but his effort was just wide of the left hand post.
The visitors sensing their 6th successive defeat seemed demoralised and apart from a long range Jack Barton effort which was saved well by Bracken on the wet surface they offered little as an attacking threat.
The game was put to bed as the match approached its final quarter. Hall playing in Dave Hodges inside the box and his intelligent cushioned header saw Salako arrive timely to finish into the corner from a central position.(pictured below)
This seemed to spark Walton into life and Connor French had a couple of efforts over, both times showing good footwork to manoeuvre himself into position.
Salako doubled his tally and added Casuals 4th on 79 minutes. A simple ball over the top saw him hold off his defender and after driving into the box finished well into left hand corner. It was an impressive showing from the debut striker.
Again the visitors threw men forward trying to salvage a consolation and Sullivan and Cover both had efforts wide of Brackens goal. As the game approached injury time they did find a way past Bracken as substitute Jamil Okai slid home after a great save by the keeper. It was harsh on Bracken who deserved a clean sheet. There was still time for Dave Hodges to have a final effort saved by Badiali before the full time whistle.
Speaking after the match Matt Howard commented,
“I thought we were poor to start off with and we could’ve found ourselves 3-0 down, but we didn’t – we stayed in the game and the rest is history as they say!
“Conditions were tough. I actually turned round to their manager 20 minutes in and said I don’t think the game will finish, such was the rain. But with other games postponed, it shows what a good job Rob (Darby) and Brian (Adamson) do with the pitch. Even after the game, you wouldn’t know there’s been a match played, that’s how good it is.
“Considering the rain, Danny Bracken in goal was top class and I felt for him as he deserved a clean sheet today. It was poor from us where we’re 4-0 up and should see the game out, so to concede in the 90th minute, we weren’t very happy with that.
“Great debut from Michael Salako who came on and took two very good goals.
“It’s good – we’re slowly getting where we need to be. It’s just disappointing we conceded late on Saturday (against Hythe) because that would’ve been lovely to take six points over the weekend. But we’re unbeaten in three now, so I’m pleased with that.”
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