Dorking Wanderers 2 - 0 Corinthian-Casuals
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 3rd November 2018
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree
Corinthian-Casuals suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of high-flying Dorking Wanderers in a game that saw both sides suffer the wrath of the match officials as they claimed centre stage.
Wanderers, in their impressive new Meadowbank home sat in third place having not suffered a loss in the league since mid-August. By contrast, Casuals came into the match off the back of two Trophy defeats in the past week. Manager James Bracken was certainly looking for a reaction getting back to league duty.
Casuals started bright and Warren Mfula raced through on goal but could only steer his shot wide of Slavomir Huk’s goal.
But despite the start, Corinth found themselves behind on 15 minutes. Tom Richards raced onto a ball deep on the left and keeper Brad Comins came rushing out but found himself in no-man’s land as Richards calmly lobbed the ball over and into an empty net. It was a disastrous end to a promising start.
The amateurs had barely regrouped when Jason Prior struck with a second. The defence failed to deal with a cross and Prior was able to capitalise much to the delight of the majority of the 368 in attendance.
Casuals got their act together and began to play very attractive football. Large portions of the game were played deep in Dorking’s half but the breakthrough never came. Coskun Ekim came closest as his vicious curling shot ricocheted off the post and to safety.
Dorking’s task was to hold Casuals at bay in these periods but their task got harder when Rob Sheridan fouled Mfula as the striker was through on goal – the defender getting his marching orders.
But close to half time, Casuals found themselves also down to ten men. As Dorking launched an attack down the right flank, Mu Maan upended his attacker on the corner of the box. After a brief deliberation with his assistant, it was deemed that Maan had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and he was also dismissed. Bizarrely, the foul had occurred in an area not clearly deemed to see such a decision made, especially with two covering defenders sweeping across the box.
The odd decisions continued into a stifled second half. Mfula had the best chance to get one back but steered his effort just wide. Jordan Clarke also saw his shot well saved by Huk at the near post.
Nearing the end and with the yellow cards clocking up for both sides, Clarke came together with Issac Philpott which saw the Casuals player receive treatment. Philpott and Clarke were both cautioned but as Clarke was leaving the field of play, Clarke was called back by the referee and dismissed him for dissent. In a game that saw five bookings and three red cards, you’d never have guessed it was played in good spirit with barely a bad challenge. If all matches were officiated in this way, football’s popularity would soon be in decline.
Supporters and players from both sides were bemused and agreed it had utterly ruined what should’ve been a good game between two sides that like to play football.
Congratulations to Dorking and they move up into second place, now unbeaten in ten league matches. Casuals remain in 16th.
James Bracken's post match thoughts can be read here.
Bostik League Premier Division
Saturday 3rd November 2018
Match report and photos: Stuart Tree
Corinthian-Casuals suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of high-flying Dorking Wanderers in a game that saw both sides suffer the wrath of the match officials as they claimed centre stage.
Wanderers, in their impressive new Meadowbank home sat in third place having not suffered a loss in the league since mid-August. By contrast, Casuals came into the match off the back of two Trophy defeats in the past week. Manager James Bracken was certainly looking for a reaction getting back to league duty.
Casuals started bright and Warren Mfula raced through on goal but could only steer his shot wide of Slavomir Huk’s goal.
But despite the start, Corinth found themselves behind on 15 minutes. Tom Richards raced onto a ball deep on the left and keeper Brad Comins came rushing out but found himself in no-man’s land as Richards calmly lobbed the ball over and into an empty net. It was a disastrous end to a promising start.
The amateurs had barely regrouped when Jason Prior struck with a second. The defence failed to deal with a cross and Prior was able to capitalise much to the delight of the majority of the 368 in attendance.
Casuals got their act together and began to play very attractive football. Large portions of the game were played deep in Dorking’s half but the breakthrough never came. Coskun Ekim came closest as his vicious curling shot ricocheted off the post and to safety.
Dorking’s task was to hold Casuals at bay in these periods but their task got harder when Rob Sheridan fouled Mfula as the striker was through on goal – the defender getting his marching orders.
But close to half time, Casuals found themselves also down to ten men. As Dorking launched an attack down the right flank, Mu Maan upended his attacker on the corner of the box. After a brief deliberation with his assistant, it was deemed that Maan had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity and he was also dismissed. Bizarrely, the foul had occurred in an area not clearly deemed to see such a decision made, especially with two covering defenders sweeping across the box.
The odd decisions continued into a stifled second half. Mfula had the best chance to get one back but steered his effort just wide. Jordan Clarke also saw his shot well saved by Huk at the near post.
Nearing the end and with the yellow cards clocking up for both sides, Clarke came together with Issac Philpott which saw the Casuals player receive treatment. Philpott and Clarke were both cautioned but as Clarke was leaving the field of play, Clarke was called back by the referee and dismissed him for dissent. In a game that saw five bookings and three red cards, you’d never have guessed it was played in good spirit with barely a bad challenge. If all matches were officiated in this way, football’s popularity would soon be in decline.
Supporters and players from both sides were bemused and agreed it had utterly ruined what should’ve been a good game between two sides that like to play football.
Congratulations to Dorking and they move up into second place, now unbeaten in ten league matches. Casuals remain in 16th.
James Bracken's post match thoughts can be read here.
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