Salts Shaker

Epsom and Ewell 2 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Saturday 27th December 2025
Combined Counties League Premier South
Report: Josh Lamey.  Photos: Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals concluded 2025 with a derby-day draw after surrendering a two-goal lead against Epsom & Ewell, despite a gallant performance with nine men.

First-half finishes from Andre Coker and Arsenii Protsyshyn gave Casuals a seemingly comfortable cushion, but Stefan Aiwone’s late strike shared the spoils after Antonio Nazareth got the hosts back in the game early in a second half that saw two Casuals men and one Salts player dismissed.

Casuals started proceedings on the front foot, forcing Epsom to retreat into their own territory. Just 90 seconds in, the visitors drew first blood on derby day as Coker poked Hakeem Adelakun’s long throw home in front of a raucous corner of pink and chocolate.

The visitors then doubled the lead on 35 minutes. A set-piece was the thorn in the Salts’ side once more, when Coker’s in-swinging corner was met by Protyshyn’s guided header beyond a helpless Benjamin Grummitt. The perfect end to a half that saw the Corinthian players serenaded off the pitch.

However, the start to the second 45 was anything but perfect. Half-time substitute Ed McCrea saw his initial yellow card upgraded to red after a discussion between referee and his assistant, who deemed him to be the last man. Brendan Murphy-McVey’s strike from the resulting free-kick ended up flashing just wide.

Epsom, having gained the early second-half momentum, halved the deficit on 55 minutes. With the ball bobbling around in the area, Casuals failed to clear and Nazareth prodded past Sanghyun Baek via the post.

The feisty nature of derby day began to cut through the bleak midwinter frost, and two further red cards followed in quick succession when both Coker and Nazareth picked up second yellow cards, forcing the game to finish with 10 versus nine.

The hosts made their numerical advantage count with the clock approaching 90, when Casuals were unable to clear a wide free-kick and Aiwone met the loose ball with a well-struck effort that beat Baek at his near post. The sense of frustration was compounded by the referee’s decision to play an advantage that had never materialised following a foul on Marcos dos Santos moments before Epsom were awarded the free-kick that undid Casuals.

Maan’s men hit the road again in the new year, travelling to Guildford City next Saturday.
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Casuals: Baek, Masikini, Adelakun, Protsyshyn, Rowe, Afonso, Brown (Cascoe-Rogers 65), Dos Santos, Day (McCrea 45), Coker