Ryman League Division One South
Monday 31st August 2015
Att: 75
Report by Darren Pasley
Pics: Stuart Tree (click to view)
2nd set of Pics: Andy Nunn (click to view)
Video: Steve Wigg (click to view)
A header from substitute Josh Uzun with 2 minutes remaining earned Casuals 3 valuable points as they produced a determined performance to end back to back defeats.
James Bracken handed Steph Joseph his first start after the striker came off the bench to grab a consolation at Pagham in the FA Cup 48 hours earlier whilst in-form Juevan Spencer was unavailable.
After the heavy deluge of rain which had fallen in the 24 hours previous the opening proceedings saw both sets of players struggle to bring the ball under control with the zip off the surface causing problems.
Emmanuel Akokhia was the first to fire at goal but in the 10th minute his weak effort from a free kick bounced harmlessly wide of Liam Allen's post.
The hosts first chance fell to the right foot of Reis Stanislaus but his shot lacked the power to trouble Bracken who make an easy save low down from 15 yards out,
With both back 4’s in control it was a period of half chances and Niall Wright had a hand in two of these. First curling a free kick onto the head of Stefan Joseph who nodded well over and then firing wide through a crowd of players after good work down the left by Dave Hodges.
Kevant Serbony dismissed in the cup tie in Sussex forced Allen into a save with a fierce drive from outside the area as Brackens men continued to probe.
The best chance of the half fell to the head of Molesey centre back Rob Sheridan with 10 minutes remaining in the half as he met James McShane’s wonderful right wing cross but with Bracken beaten his header went back across the goal and wide.
The home side continued to offer a threat from the long throws of Ollie Robinson but Terry Murray and Danny Dudley protected Danny Bracken well and the half ended all square.
The second half saw Joseph nearly capitalise on a mistake from the home defence when attempting a short goal kick but his effort went the wrong side of Allen’s upright.
Stafford Palmer so prolific in Molesey’s championship winning campaign last season curled over a right footed effort as his side looked to break the deadlock.
A flurry of corners on the hour saw both Palmer and Stanislaus go close from corners as Casuals threw bodies in front of goal bound efforts.
With the challenges flying in and yellow cards mounting for both sides it was the general feeling that before too long someone would be taking an early bath. That honour fell to Marlon Rodney the home full back as he went into the notebook twice for hauling down Akokhia.
Despite the man advantage it didn't appear that the visitors would exploit the gaps especially with the hosts still looking dangerous going forward.
However with the clock ticking down Serbony picked out Hodges on the left and after steading himself his looping cross was met by the flying Joss Uzun on from the bench who guided a magnificent header over Allen into the opposite corner.
The home sides only response fell deep into stoppage time but Stanislaus blasted well over after the ball dropped to him outside the box and Casuals continued unbeaten on the road in the league.