Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 Hornchurch
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 23rd October 2021
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Corinthian-Casuals got their league campaign back on track with a solid 1-0 win over FA Trophy holders Hornchurch on Saturday.
Kieron Cadogan’s 81st minute penalty was enough to separate the two sides as Casuals returned to Isthmian action following an eight game FA Cup run.
The win means Casuals have only lost two of their last thirteen matches and have a number of games in hand over their league rivals thanks to a glut of cup replays this season.
It was Casuals who threatened first with Ricardo Thompson volleying over Hornchurch’s goal. Ben Cheklit also got in on the action before the visitors started to show their threat.
It was Liam Nash who first tested Danny Bracken who made a fine low stop to prevent the Urchins from taking the lead. The Casuals captain was called into action twice more in quick succession, smothering a Billy Bricknell chance and another Nash chance, nullifying another one-on-one.
If the first half belonged to Hornchurch on balance, then the second was Casuals’. Ben Cheklit’s run and fierce shot from the edge of the box forced an acrobatic save from Joe Wright. Corinth showed more purpose going forward with another Cheklit shot being deflected into the path of Andy Mills who was desperately unlucky not to tap in from close range with Wright once again called into action. Hornchurch also threatened with Hayles’ header cannoning off the bar and Bracken thwarting Nash once again.
But with the game looking like it was heading for a stalemate, a burst into the box from Jack Tucker saw him upended by Buyabu and a penalty was awarded. The ever-relaible Cadogan blasting into the top corner leaving Wright with no chance.
The win takes Casuals up into sixteenth with a number of games in hand.
“We didn’t play particularly well today,” said James Bracken after the match. “But after the disappointment at St Alban’s on Tuesday it was important that we bounced back with a win.
“There were good moments from us. We had a good amount of control, played the ball relatively well though we lacked a little in the final third. But there’s no problem in the shape but perhaps one or two individuals were a little tired or struggled to get themselves back up to the level required after a tough midweek. I’m not going to make excuses for them. They’ve turned up, put the shirt on and we’ve won.
“These are games that we’ve had in the past where we might have lost 1-0. We have to turn good possession into wins. When the game looks like it’s there for the taking, we must ensure we turn them into victories.
“One bit of quality from Jack Tucker today has earned us those three points. It’s a stonewall penalty and it’s been enough to win it for us.
“With big scores in and around the league, it’s testament to our keeper and defence that we seem as solid as we are. Dan made a number of key saves. A lot of Hornchuch’s attacks were on the back of us giving the ball away and they created a number of good chances against us. They’re a good side with good forwards. They’ve got Billy Bricknell, Liam Nash and Charlie Ruff, who I like… they’re good players. They’ll always create chances. But that’s a testament to our back line and Dan who’s made three or four very good stops. I’m pleased for him, especially after the past week that he’s been able to put in that level of performance. That’s what he’s there to do. You play a goalkeeper to make saves.
“We’ve kept a few clean sheets this season but even the ones where we haven’t, the goals have come from penalties or chances that no-one is saving. Look at the one in midweek at St Albans… that’s a worldy that no keeper saves.
“We’re not letting in soft goals so we’re doing a lot of things right at the moment. Long may that continue.”
Isthmian League Premier Division
Saturday 23rd October 2021
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Corinthian-Casuals got their league campaign back on track with a solid 1-0 win over FA Trophy holders Hornchurch on Saturday.
Kieron Cadogan’s 81st minute penalty was enough to separate the two sides as Casuals returned to Isthmian action following an eight game FA Cup run.
The win means Casuals have only lost two of their last thirteen matches and have a number of games in hand over their league rivals thanks to a glut of cup replays this season.
It was Casuals who threatened first with Ricardo Thompson volleying over Hornchurch’s goal. Ben Cheklit also got in on the action before the visitors started to show their threat.
It was Liam Nash who first tested Danny Bracken who made a fine low stop to prevent the Urchins from taking the lead. The Casuals captain was called into action twice more in quick succession, smothering a Billy Bricknell chance and another Nash chance, nullifying another one-on-one.
If the first half belonged to Hornchurch on balance, then the second was Casuals’. Ben Cheklit’s run and fierce shot from the edge of the box forced an acrobatic save from Joe Wright. Corinth showed more purpose going forward with another Cheklit shot being deflected into the path of Andy Mills who was desperately unlucky not to tap in from close range with Wright once again called into action. Hornchurch also threatened with Hayles’ header cannoning off the bar and Bracken thwarting Nash once again.
But with the game looking like it was heading for a stalemate, a burst into the box from Jack Tucker saw him upended by Buyabu and a penalty was awarded. The ever-relaible Cadogan blasting into the top corner leaving Wright with no chance.
The win takes Casuals up into sixteenth with a number of games in hand.
“We didn’t play particularly well today,” said James Bracken after the match. “But after the disappointment at St Alban’s on Tuesday it was important that we bounced back with a win.
“There were good moments from us. We had a good amount of control, played the ball relatively well though we lacked a little in the final third. But there’s no problem in the shape but perhaps one or two individuals were a little tired or struggled to get themselves back up to the level required after a tough midweek. I’m not going to make excuses for them. They’ve turned up, put the shirt on and we’ve won.
“These are games that we’ve had in the past where we might have lost 1-0. We have to turn good possession into wins. When the game looks like it’s there for the taking, we must ensure we turn them into victories.
“One bit of quality from Jack Tucker today has earned us those three points. It’s a stonewall penalty and it’s been enough to win it for us.
“With big scores in and around the league, it’s testament to our keeper and defence that we seem as solid as we are. Dan made a number of key saves. A lot of Hornchuch’s attacks were on the back of us giving the ball away and they created a number of good chances against us. They’re a good side with good forwards. They’ve got Billy Bricknell, Liam Nash and Charlie Ruff, who I like… they’re good players. They’ll always create chances. But that’s a testament to our back line and Dan who’s made three or four very good stops. I’m pleased for him, especially after the past week that he’s been able to put in that level of performance. That’s what he’s there to do. You play a goalkeeper to make saves.
“We’ve kept a few clean sheets this season but even the ones where we haven’t, the goals have come from penalties or chances that no-one is saving. Look at the one in midweek at St Albans… that’s a worldy that no keeper saves.
“We’re not letting in soft goals so we’re doing a lot of things right at the moment. Long may that continue.”
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