Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 0 Whyteleafe
Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Saturday 8th September 2018
Match report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (pics here)
Corinthian-Casuals survived a flurry of late scares in the form of Whyteleafe attacks all while missing a few golden chances of their own in the Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round as the 0-0 draw forces the two Surrey sides to replay on Tuesday night.
The last outing in the FA Cup was a memorable one for the Casuals; six goals left Croydon in the dust, but since then there has been two Bostik Premier Division games and a victory has evaded James Bracken and his team on both occasions. A bitter taste still apparent from last Saturday’s unjust 1-1 draw, Tolworth welcomed the familiar Whyteleafe to King George’s. Regularly playing against the Leafe in the Division One South, Casuals were drawn against the green and white army after the Croydon win, which meant Harry Hudson’s new-look team were clashing with the pink and brown once more.
In the opening ten minutes, it was clear that the league difference did not faze Whyteleafe as they battled Corinthians’ pacey attack through the wings and even produced chances of their own. The returning Casuals keeper Bradley Comins got down to palm a low free-kick away from the bottom corner as captain Coskun Ekim attempted to re-group and push for an opener. With Mfula suspended, Cunningham returned to the frontline whilst Jack Tucker replaced Warren Morgan at left back. Jordan Clarke was starting and his presence struck fear into the Leafe defence- they knew he could pace forwards and make an opportunity like turning on a switch. In the 20th minute, Clarke began a fantastic counter attack after a Leafe set-piece, but his rapid speed did not match his finishing on this occasion. Saved by McCarthy, the following corner was cleared.
The rest of the half was strange. Casuals failed to find a glimpse of a weakness in the visitors’ two centre-backs and unfocused possession was not contributing to the search for the goal. It was Whyteleafe who had the chance of the half. Premature celebrations from behind the goal, an unclear scramble in the penalty area saw a green shirt roll the ball towards the goal from only yards out. But Juevan Spencer was there to boot the ball away heroically, even if the offside flag saved Casuals’ blushes anyway.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and if Casuals were to win this game it would’ve been through a chance in the 50th minute. Clarke was ruining full-backs as per usual, but his lightning-quick cross did not find a chocolate and pink jersey, but a green one. Rebounding off Nathan Campbell, a brilliant stop from McCarthy in the net avoided an embarrassing own goal and Casuals notching an opener.
Unable to penetrate the defence centrally, Corinth tried to sneak one past on the outskirts with yet another effort from Clarke narrowly missing the target of the goal. Despite introductions of Morgan, Maan and Cheklit in the end, the hosts looked tired. Whyteleafe capitalised on fatigue and pounded on the door of the Casuals back four and keeper. Luckily Comins was ready to answer the knocking with a wonderful point-blank save that had Casuals fans on the other side of the pitch in awe. Partly due to the solid defence, Whyteleafe would feel robbed after a last ten minutes that consisted of remarkable opportunities via scrambles and set-pieces. Holding strong, Casuals battled until the end in the 0-0 draw.
Cancelling the London Senior Cup game with Croydon, the FA Cup takes priority as a replay in Church Road on this Tuesday night means Casuals have a new midweek fixture- will James Bracken’s pink and brown army secure a place in the next round?
Read James Bracken's post match comments here >>
Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Saturday 8th September 2018
Match report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (pics here)
Corinthian-Casuals survived a flurry of late scares in the form of Whyteleafe attacks all while missing a few golden chances of their own in the Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round as the 0-0 draw forces the two Surrey sides to replay on Tuesday night.
The last outing in the FA Cup was a memorable one for the Casuals; six goals left Croydon in the dust, but since then there has been two Bostik Premier Division games and a victory has evaded James Bracken and his team on both occasions. A bitter taste still apparent from last Saturday’s unjust 1-1 draw, Tolworth welcomed the familiar Whyteleafe to King George’s. Regularly playing against the Leafe in the Division One South, Casuals were drawn against the green and white army after the Croydon win, which meant Harry Hudson’s new-look team were clashing with the pink and brown once more.
In the opening ten minutes, it was clear that the league difference did not faze Whyteleafe as they battled Corinthians’ pacey attack through the wings and even produced chances of their own. The returning Casuals keeper Bradley Comins got down to palm a low free-kick away from the bottom corner as captain Coskun Ekim attempted to re-group and push for an opener. With Mfula suspended, Cunningham returned to the frontline whilst Jack Tucker replaced Warren Morgan at left back. Jordan Clarke was starting and his presence struck fear into the Leafe defence- they knew he could pace forwards and make an opportunity like turning on a switch. In the 20th minute, Clarke began a fantastic counter attack after a Leafe set-piece, but his rapid speed did not match his finishing on this occasion. Saved by McCarthy, the following corner was cleared.
The rest of the half was strange. Casuals failed to find a glimpse of a weakness in the visitors’ two centre-backs and unfocused possession was not contributing to the search for the goal. It was Whyteleafe who had the chance of the half. Premature celebrations from behind the goal, an unclear scramble in the penalty area saw a green shirt roll the ball towards the goal from only yards out. But Juevan Spencer was there to boot the ball away heroically, even if the offside flag saved Casuals’ blushes anyway.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and if Casuals were to win this game it would’ve been through a chance in the 50th minute. Clarke was ruining full-backs as per usual, but his lightning-quick cross did not find a chocolate and pink jersey, but a green one. Rebounding off Nathan Campbell, a brilliant stop from McCarthy in the net avoided an embarrassing own goal and Casuals notching an opener.
Unable to penetrate the defence centrally, Corinth tried to sneak one past on the outskirts with yet another effort from Clarke narrowly missing the target of the goal. Despite introductions of Morgan, Maan and Cheklit in the end, the hosts looked tired. Whyteleafe capitalised on fatigue and pounded on the door of the Casuals back four and keeper. Luckily Comins was ready to answer the knocking with a wonderful point-blank save that had Casuals fans on the other side of the pitch in awe. Partly due to the solid defence, Whyteleafe would feel robbed after a last ten minutes that consisted of remarkable opportunities via scrambles and set-pieces. Holding strong, Casuals battled until the end in the 0-0 draw.
Cancelling the London Senior Cup game with Croydon, the FA Cup takes priority as a replay in Church Road on this Tuesday night means Casuals have a new midweek fixture- will James Bracken’s pink and brown army secure a place in the next round?
Read James Bracken's post match comments here >>
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