Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 17th January 2015
Final score: 1-5
Report by Darren Pasley
Casuals signed off for their historic Brazil trip in the worst possible style, as they were worryingly demolished at home to lowly Redhill.
In spite of the visitors obvious new found attacking prowess due to recent signings Matt Howard will be alarmed at the ease the Lobsters cut open a fragile home rear guard.
Casuals started well, looking to take the game to a side horribly out of form on paper. Jamie Byatt beating the offside trap in the 3rd minute but a poor touch denied him a clear route to goal.
The visitors themselves looked bright going forward but it was the hosts who struck first in the 7th minute.
After Maz Bettache was dragged down on the far edge of the area Byatt’s whipped free kick was only half headed clear by Jon Difford. The ball looping up fell to Dave Hodges and after intelligently sending the ball back into the danger area over his shoulder Danny Dudley stole in at the back post to head home.
Casuals were on a roll and it was nearly 2 shortly afterwards when Bettache was free in the area but his attempted pass to Byatt was blocked out by Sean Loft.
As the game swept from end-to-end Tyrone Pink had a header saved by Danny Bracken. On the quarter hour mark Pink turned provider as his right wing cross was neatly tucked home by ex-Farnborough star Dan Bennett for his first goal in Redhill colors.
Casuals went on the attack determined to regain the lead and Difford cut out Spencer’s low cross with Byatt once again lurking. From the resulting corner the ball deceived keeper Michael Hunter but Joe Hicks could only head over from inside the 6-yard box.
On 27 minutes another Byatt corner caused panic and once again Hicks arrived and headed over in what was an even more presentable opportunity. It proved to be costly as two minutes later Reece Hall blasted the ball past Bracken after winning the ball from Jake Downs making his debut for Casuals.
The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Casuals and with the visitors happy to contain the game the match settled down as both sides looked to recover from the frantic opening.
Just before the break Redhill heaped on the pressure again and Bracken had to be down sharply to foil Connor French’s effort after the big striker bullied his way into space.
A 3rd goal came for the Lobsters right on half time. The gifted Bennett weaving his way past 3 defenders from the right hand side before deliciously playing in Hall who slotted past Bracken.
Backed by a sizeable and noisy contingent behind the goal Casuals set about getting themselves back in the game with Byatt’s corners continuing to be the most likely route. This time Juevan Spencer met the precise delivery but Hunter managed to divert the ball over via the crossbar. Tyrone Pink was also denied by his opposition’s custodian as his volley was superbly turned away by Bracken.
As in the first half the game developed into a stalemate but with the visitors looking the more likely. Casuals continued to huff and puff but to no avail. Reece Placid with a header well over and a Jake Gill long-range effort comfortably saved were the only notable efforts.
It came as little surprise when the game was wrapped up with a 4th for Redhill. Hall allowed to somehow beat 4 men on the left hand side before smashing past Bracken. As good as the run and finish was the inability to shut the defender down was disastrous from a Casuals point of view.
A 5th goal seemed in the offering with French heading over from a corner after rising well. The final nail in the coffin did finally arrive in the last minute when Joe Goldsmith glanced home a brilliant header. It emphasized the visitor’s clinical power on the day and concluded a miserable afternoon by Casuals who must recharge in Brazil and return to their early season form if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation scrap.