Ryman Division One South
Saturday 6th September 2014
Attendance 223
By Darren Pasley
Pictures: Hanna Newton
Carl Wilson-Dennis hit his first Casuals goal in what ultimately proved to be the strike that secured 3 points in an afternoon of high-drama at Redhill.
In front of a bumper non-league crowd of 223 at Kiln Brow the former K’s striker returned for Steve Goddard in Matt Howards only change to the side that had performed so well against Guernsey on Tuesday evening.
The home side fresh from a decent midweek victory themselves (Horsham YMCA in the FA Cup) started well and Tyrone Pink had an effort in the first minute after cutting into the box. Bracken scrambled his effort to safety with Welch-Turner clearing the danger as Gordon closed down.
Redhill had Bredan Owusu’Ansah on loan from conference side Dover making his debut and the centre back was soon in the thick of the action throwing himself in the way of Dave Hodges drive after Byatt’s neat touch, to avert any danger.
Mahrez Beattache so inspirational in the victory over the Green Lions had the visitors first effort but his long range shot was just over as Casuals looked to get to grips with the uneven surface.
Reports this season had indicated the home side had conceded a number of goals as a result of poor keeping and Byatt inparticular seemed keen to test out the home sides latest recruit. In the 13th minute it was unlucky for the striker as he was adjudged to have fouled Michael Hunter signed on loan from Horsham, before knocking the ball into the net.
Both sides seemed happy to play the direct game and it nearly paid dividends for Wilson-Dennis after a long throw from Hodges caused panic on the 6-yard line but his hooked effort hit Jordan Anderson. Anderson at 6”8 a former youngster at Tottenham and also a pro in Belgium was expectedly dominating in the air but struggling with the movement of Byatt.(pictured battling each other below) On 18 minutes the striker nearly hit a goal of the season contender when he connected first time on the edge of the box with Spencer’s deep cross from the right but his volley sizzled just past Hunter’s upright. It was a magnificent effort.
Despite these good moments, the home side lively in the final third opened the scoring on 23 minutes. George Cousins beating Welch-Turner and from the byline cut the ball back to former Leatherhead winger Chris O’Flaherty. His effort took a deflection off an outstretched leg but Bracken managed to get back and seemingly claw the ball out from the line. For the second Saturday in a row the linesman’s flag was raised, this time indicating a goal much to the visiting players frustrations who were adamant the ball hadn’t crossed the line. Skipper Joe Hicks keen to emphasize the point that it would have been near impossible too much such a call with all the bodies in the way.
For a short period after Casuals seemed to let the decision get the better of them as they temporarily lost their shape and Cousins went close with a side footed effort which clipped the top of Danny Brackens bar on its way over. Within 10 minutes of going behind though, Casuals were handed the chance to level the match. Bettache’s corner into the danger area saw Danny Dudley sent flying by Anderson and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Up stepped Jamie Byatt to drill the ball past Hunter and bring the game even.
George Cousins was proving to be a menace down the flanks and it was his good play that nearly sent the home side in front before the break. On this occasion much to the visiting backlines relief, Bingham’s effort from 15 yards flew just past the right hand post.
The second period saw the home side again launch early offensive attacks. Cousins was the first to try his luck from the angle but he dragged his shot wide with Gordon failing to connect at the back post. Tyrone Pink moments later showed great feet to work an opportunity but his piledriver from 25 yards narrowly dipped wide of the target.
Having settled, Corinthians looked to take the game too their opponents who were looking increasingly vulnerable at the back. On 57 minutes a Hodges corner was met by Hicks on the volley but his goalbound shot was blocked by Duke. With the ball not fully cleared ,the ball back into the box once again found the Casuals captain and after showing good composure the chance fell to Wilson-Dennis who could only muster a weak effort at hunter from 10 yards.
Jamie Byatt went close from the resulting clearance as Lee Hall so dominant in midfield sent the ball back in and having beaten Hunter to the ball Redhill were extremely grateful to see the ball bounce on the 6 yard line and over the bar to safety.
With Casuals firmly in the ascendancy it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 62 minutes. Again a Dave Hodges corner from the left wasn’t cleared and with Byatt sending the ball back into the 6 yard box, Hunters punch under pressure from Wilson-Dennis could only reach the edge of the box. Joe Hicks showed great composure for a defender to swivel and smash home a low volley. It was a sweet strike and just reward for a player who has had a magnificent start to the season.
Redhill almost hit back when Bracken beaten to the ball from a corner by his own man was relived to see the ball cleared off the line by Danny Dudley. He had to be alert on 65 minutes when Bingham played in skipper Gavin Gordon but the Casuals number one was out to foil the strikers effort. It seemed the keepers luck was in on 67 minutes when a routine punt into the air from Anderson saw the keeper uncharacteristically drop the ball but Tyrone Pink sent his effort from the left hand side of the box wide of the unguarded goal. It was a huge let off for the visiting side.
Chances continued to come at both ends with Spencer and Wilson-Dennis combining well to present Byatt with another chance. This time an alert Hunter came flying out of goal and made a great block with his legs.
Juevan Spencer was finding more and more space as the home side pushed forward and after breaking from his own half he saw his route to goal blocked by Anderson as he was about to pull the trigger. The blocked clearance sat up neatly for Byatt who smashed the ball towards goal but Hunter made a brilliant stop before gathering the loose ball.
With the ball sent upfield and Redhill ready to launch another attack match referee Ashley Slaughter suddenly collapsed on 74 minutes. Both sets of players raced to his aid .The game was delayed as an ambulance arrived on the pitch and Mr. Slaughter was taken to hospital. The home side seemed keen to have the game abandoned but Matt Howard pointed to the fact this situation had occurred in a game last season against Three Bridges and as a result was aware that Isthmian league rules state that the game must finish to a conclusion.
After checking the rules and confirming this was the case the game resumed at
17.10 some 40 minutes after the original incident.
Hodges immediately set about finishing the game by driving at Redhill backline before sending a shot just wide
6 minutes after the restart Jordan Vidal was introduced for Welch-Turner and he had an immediate impact. After receiving a throw back from Hodges his left wing cross saw Hunter flap at the ball under pressure from Byatt and Carl Wilson-Dennis was on hand to stroke the ball home past the covering defender on the line. The smile on his face said it all as he had opened his Casuals account and a goal his ever-improving performances warranted.
He nearly doubled his tally shortly afterwards when Byatt’s persistence won the ball but like earlier in the half he shot tamely at Hunter. It was a similar story for Byatt who again found himself on the edge of the area with Hunter in no mans land but this time his effort had too much purchase and flew harmlessly over
Redhill continued to try and get their way back into the match and Bradley Duke saw a 35 yard effort fly just over whilst Joe Bingham saw his distance shot on target but Bracken was down to save smartly at the foot of the post.
The home side were rewarded with literally the last kick of the match, Bingham feeding Gavin Gordon who for once got on the right side of Hicks and finished well into the top corner.
It mattered not however and Casuals had their first three points on a Saturday this season
Hanna Newtons pictures can be viewed by clicking here