Corinthian-Casuals 3 - 1 Worthing
Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 7th September 2021
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (images here)
Corinthian-Casuals booked their place in the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round with an emphatic win over Isthmian League title contenders Worthing on Tuesday night.
An opening goal from Warren Mfula was complimented with a second half Bobby Mills brace as Casuals bested their Sussex opponents 3-1 following the stalemate between the two sides at the weekend.
A replay at The United Business Group Stadium was required to decide who would face Leatherhead in the next round at Fetcham Grove. As with Saturday’s match, first blood was struck by Casuals, when sixteen year old Alfie Bendle put Mfula through who calmy ‘megged’ Harrison Male in the Worthing goal.
A blow was dealt to Casuals on the half hour mark as Mfula was taken off with a tight calf strain. It was down to Nat Pinney to lead the line of three forwards who caused Worthing’s back line problems all evening. Supporting them were the two livewires of AFC Wimbledon loanees of Bendle and Elliott Bolton, the latter of which unlucky to see his header go narrowly over.
The second half started perfectly for James Bracken’s side when the ever-impressive Kieron Cadogan started feeding pinpoint passes to the front three. Nat Pinney’s shot ricocheted off the inside of the post only to find Mills who made no mistake on the rebound.
Casuals looked to kill the game and were only thwarted by some excellent reflex saves from Male kept the Mackerelmen in the tie.
Thoughts of another ‘Wingate’ occurred when failing to put the game to bed, Aarran Racine’s excellent header just snuck past a despairing Danny Bracken to give Worthing hope. They rocked Casuals for a few moments, with the key chance falling to Reece Myles-Meekums who somehow blazed his excellent chance over the bar when it looked easier to score.
Turning points indeed as Casuals searched for some breathing room and found it with just two minutes remaining. Again, Bobby Mills on hand to finish the tie off to a rapturous contingent behind the goal.
There was one more heart-in-mouth moment when Jack Tucker’s pass back eluded Bracken only to come back off the post and into the Captain’s hands, but even with the two goal lead, it wouldn’t have been enough to save Worthing.
Overall, Casuals deserved this Tuesday evening victory with fine performances across the pitch. A fabulous evening’s entertainment once again lit up Tolworth in what was a thrilling ‘magic of the cup’ contest.
“We could’ve scored a lot more tonight,” said James Bracken after the match. “Their keeper’s made a couple of great saves just like my brother did on Saturday. We played well and we’re proving that we are a good side.
“Was this performance any better than the one against Kingstonian? Goals… that’s the only difference. We’ve created chances in every game. Even Saturday, we’ve missed two absolute sitters where we put them away and we win 3-1… same result as we got tonight.
“We limited Worthing to few chances. We were far better at shutting them out.
“I’ll keep saying it; we’ve got a very good team here. We just have to keep these performances up. We’ve had great results in the past, where people don’t think we’re going to get them – and we deserve them. But we need to make it a regular occurrence. We need to ensure the levels of performance remain high. The desire, quality and chance creation stay where they are. If we take even half our chances, then other teams will need to score three or four to get anything against us.
“We’re playing some good stuff. We’re hard to break down. We’re not far off from having what I want.”
Casuals will travel to Leatherhead in the next round of the FA Cup to be played Saturday 18th September.
Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 7th September 2021
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (images here)
Corinthian-Casuals booked their place in the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round with an emphatic win over Isthmian League title contenders Worthing on Tuesday night.
An opening goal from Warren Mfula was complimented with a second half Bobby Mills brace as Casuals bested their Sussex opponents 3-1 following the stalemate between the two sides at the weekend.
A replay at The United Business Group Stadium was required to decide who would face Leatherhead in the next round at Fetcham Grove. As with Saturday’s match, first blood was struck by Casuals, when sixteen year old Alfie Bendle put Mfula through who calmy ‘megged’ Harrison Male in the Worthing goal.
A blow was dealt to Casuals on the half hour mark as Mfula was taken off with a tight calf strain. It was down to Nat Pinney to lead the line of three forwards who caused Worthing’s back line problems all evening. Supporting them were the two livewires of AFC Wimbledon loanees of Bendle and Elliott Bolton, the latter of which unlucky to see his header go narrowly over.
The second half started perfectly for James Bracken’s side when the ever-impressive Kieron Cadogan started feeding pinpoint passes to the front three. Nat Pinney’s shot ricocheted off the inside of the post only to find Mills who made no mistake on the rebound.
Casuals looked to kill the game and were only thwarted by some excellent reflex saves from Male kept the Mackerelmen in the tie.
Thoughts of another ‘Wingate’ occurred when failing to put the game to bed, Aarran Racine’s excellent header just snuck past a despairing Danny Bracken to give Worthing hope. They rocked Casuals for a few moments, with the key chance falling to Reece Myles-Meekums who somehow blazed his excellent chance over the bar when it looked easier to score.
Turning points indeed as Casuals searched for some breathing room and found it with just two minutes remaining. Again, Bobby Mills on hand to finish the tie off to a rapturous contingent behind the goal.
There was one more heart-in-mouth moment when Jack Tucker’s pass back eluded Bracken only to come back off the post and into the Captain’s hands, but even with the two goal lead, it wouldn’t have been enough to save Worthing.
Overall, Casuals deserved this Tuesday evening victory with fine performances across the pitch. A fabulous evening’s entertainment once again lit up Tolworth in what was a thrilling ‘magic of the cup’ contest.
“We could’ve scored a lot more tonight,” said James Bracken after the match. “Their keeper’s made a couple of great saves just like my brother did on Saturday. We played well and we’re proving that we are a good side.
“Was this performance any better than the one against Kingstonian? Goals… that’s the only difference. We’ve created chances in every game. Even Saturday, we’ve missed two absolute sitters where we put them away and we win 3-1… same result as we got tonight.
“We limited Worthing to few chances. We were far better at shutting them out.
“I’ll keep saying it; we’ve got a very good team here. We just have to keep these performances up. We’ve had great results in the past, where people don’t think we’re going to get them – and we deserve them. But we need to make it a regular occurrence. We need to ensure the levels of performance remain high. The desire, quality and chance creation stay where they are. If we take even half our chances, then other teams will need to score three or four to get anything against us.
“We’re playing some good stuff. We’re hard to break down. We’re not far off from having what I want.”
Casuals will travel to Leatherhead in the next round of the FA Cup to be played Saturday 18th September.
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