Stalemate

Corinthian-Casuals 0-0 Canvey Island 
 
Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division 
Saturday 25 February 2023 
Attendance 277 
Match Report by Finlay Stubbs 
Photo by Chris Randall 
 
Corinthian-Casuals got their long-awaited first clean sheet of the season following a 0-0 draw against play-off chasing Canvey Island in a game that either side could have won. 
 
Casuals came into the game looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat away to Folkestone Invicta last weekend, and Justin Fevrier made one change to the starting XI, with captain-for-the-afternoon Shaun McAuley coming into the centre of midfield. 
 
Canvey came closest in the opening stages, with Joe Paxman’s effort cleared off the line by Simba Kudyiwa to deny the visitors from taking the lead. Then followed a closely fought half, with both teams playing on the front foot and testing their opponents’ back line, leading to a high-tempo game, although neither side was able to control possession. 
 
As the rain came pouring down, Casuals began to find space to exploit in the wide areas with Joe Halsey driving forward down the right before cutting inside and seeing his effort saved by Bobby Mason. At the other end, keeper Callum Coulter was called into action to deny Bradley Sach one-on-one after he was slipped through on goal by former Casuals midfielder Charlie Edwards. 
 
Fevrier’s men continued to grow into the half, causing Canvey problems with their movement in and around the box. Casuals had a chance to go into the break ahead as a corner was swung in from the left, which Mason failed to deal with, but Malakai Hyman put his effort over. 
 
The second half was a frantic affair as both teams looked to play on the front foot, causing the game to open up. The counter-attack was a constant threat throughout the half and Coulter was called into action early on, tipping a header over the bar from close range following a long throw from the visitors. 
 
Casuals then had two big chances in the space of three minutes as Kamara ran through on goal, but he was kept out by the feet of Mason. The keeper was then called into action again as Mack Reilly drove into the box and his shot was blocked, before the rebound fell to Kamara who was once more denied by Mason, getting down well to his right. Casuals kept pushing forward, as Finlay Lovatt dribbled down the left and his cross was headed clear before an attacker could latch onto it. Shortly afterwards, substitute Jared Myers immediately impacted the game with his pace and tenacity, steaming down the right before seeing his shot pushed away by Mason. 
 
Canvey were also on the search for a late winner and almost got their moment through Sach who ghosted past two Casuals players in the box before placing his effort wide from 12 yards out. They then continued to push for a goal and looked to impose their physical presence in the box, with Edwards flicking a header goalwards that was well kept out by Coulter. 
 
The closing stages were fiercely contested with Casuals looking to frustrate the visitors as conditions brightened up and the sun shone through the clouds. The hosts defended the late onslaught with resilience and Canvey continued to deliver into the box from wide areas but the Casuals back line was equal to everything, claiming their first shut-out of the season. 
 
Overall, it was another well-earned point for Casuals who created enough chances to have won against a potential promotion candidate and defended resolutely when they needed to. 
 
Next up for Casuals is an away trip to Margate next Saturday, before they return home for a local derby against Carshalton Athletic on Saturday 11 March. 
 
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Kudyiwa, Lahan, Hyman; Halsey (Myers 73), McAuley, Williams, Adelakun; Kamara (Dowridge 82), Reilly, Lovatt (Pinney 74)