Corinthian-Casuals 0 - 0 Faversham Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 15th October 2016
Match report: Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here).
Ryman Division One South football returned as the solid Faversham Town held Corinthian-Casuals in the league to a frustrating yet entertaining goal-less draw at King George’s.
Sealing a first round qualifying trip to Chalfont St Peter, Casuals left it late against Thamesmead Town last week in the FA Trophy as the wonderful Warren Morgan stole the winner to complete a spirited comeback.
Shaun Okojie, who was absent for the Thamesmead clash, returned to the starting lineup ahead of Jamie Byatt. Another change was Kevant Serbony featuring on the bench as Jordan Clarke took his place on his inaugural right wing position.
Visitors Faversham had made the seventy mile trip to Tolworth in hope of leapfrogging their opponents in the table and netting their seventh win of the season. After exiting the FA Cup via Egham Town, the Lilywhites dispatched Three Bridges on Tuesday and were two points behind Casuals in eighth place.
Previous meetings brought back happy memories as last season, Casuals faced Faversham twice- and won twice. A 3-1 home victory and a 2-1 away win (where Jamie Byatt scored on his return to the club) were not enough as Faversham placed above Casuals last season.
As Corinthians lined up in chocolate and pink, Faversham stuck by their nickname and wore white as the sun dazzled onto King George’s. The first twenty minutes was pinball-esque as the ball bounced back and fourth from one side of the pitch to the other, occasionally gifting a team with a half-chance. Both sides were holding strong defensively but Casuals had the slight edge. Josh Gallagher hammered an ambitious effort from thirty-five yards on the volley but flew comfortably over the bar. Flashes of class from Shaun Okojie inserted energy into the game as the 6ft 2in striker held the ball from the strong Faversham centre-backs.
The first notable effort of the match was in the 45th minute as the Whites looked to take advantage at the end of the first half. A corner was not cleared convincingly as Sam Bewick peeled from his marker at the back post, but the no.7 mis-kicked as it somehow evaded the net.
Both sides were hungry to improve in the second-half as the weather deteriorated into thick clouds and a sporadic spot of rain. Casuals continued to combat the courageous Faversham defence as Juevan Spencer fired a shot a few inches over the bar. Josh Uzun, who had a relatively quiet match, used brilliant technique to volley a powerful effort towards goal but keeper Bridle-Card managed to catch it. A new signing, Ben Bridle-Card had impressed as he accurately supplied Faversham attackers with long, pin-point goal kicks. The away side did produce some attacking flair as a long ball from the half-way line was missed by Bracken and was bounced towards the empty net. Warren Morgan hoofed the ball away and the hosts survived a scare.
With around ten minutes to go, the best opportunity of the match fell to Casuals as an intelligent cluster of short passes from around the area resulted in Juevan Spencer bursting into the penalty area. He fed the ball to Josh Gallagher, who superbly curled a shot onto the crossbar and the rebound was controlled and then converted by Okojie.
However, a sharp blow on the referee’s whistle halted celebrations as the linesman flagged for offside. Disappointing. Luckless, Casuals attempted to surge forward with attacks but the disallowed goal may have destroyed their confidence and the final whistle blew. It was Corinthians’ first 0-0 of the season.
If Casuals took all three points in the clash, they would have climbed further up in the table as leaders Dorking lost to Chatham Town and Greenwich Borough succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Walton Casuals. Outside of the play-offs on goal difference, James Bracken’s army faces tenth-placed South Park before a trip to the conquerors of Dorking... Chatham.
After the match, Manager James Bracken said, "I was disappointed with the result but not the performance. We've won games this season where I've come in more disappointed than I have today.
"We've been searching for a dominant performance and today we delivered one. From the second half especially, it was evident that they were happy to come here and get a point.
"I said to the lads after, that's a mark of what we've achieved in the last eighteen months. Teams like Faversham, who you bet your house that they'll be playoff contenders, come to us and if they get a point, they go home happy. I don't think that was the case a year or two ago. That's something we've earned... respect.
"We were great but unfortunately, only up until the penalty box, where we just didn't have the quality to finish it. That's what really matters.
"You hope that officials get all the decisions right and I'm not saying the disallowed goal was rightfully ruled out or not. I didn't really see it. That's gone now anyway so it's pointless me dwelling on it. I'm only concerned with the next match against South Park. If we hit that same level of performance, I've no doubt we'll be better in front of goal, we'll score and we'll win.
"Of course I take it as a compliment when teams set themselves up to get a point here. It's not something I've ever done myself. I don't think I've ever gone into a game looking to get just a draw. Would I do that? Yes – if that's all that is needed to achieve something.
"I think Faversham did well to get a point and being honest, I think they'd say the same.
"If teams want to come here and play attacking football, we'll play that way too and if they do set up to defend, hopefully, we can create one or two chances and get the win."
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 15th October 2016
Match report: Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here).
Ryman Division One South football returned as the solid Faversham Town held Corinthian-Casuals in the league to a frustrating yet entertaining goal-less draw at King George’s.
Sealing a first round qualifying trip to Chalfont St Peter, Casuals left it late against Thamesmead Town last week in the FA Trophy as the wonderful Warren Morgan stole the winner to complete a spirited comeback.
Shaun Okojie, who was absent for the Thamesmead clash, returned to the starting lineup ahead of Jamie Byatt. Another change was Kevant Serbony featuring on the bench as Jordan Clarke took his place on his inaugural right wing position.
Visitors Faversham had made the seventy mile trip to Tolworth in hope of leapfrogging their opponents in the table and netting their seventh win of the season. After exiting the FA Cup via Egham Town, the Lilywhites dispatched Three Bridges on Tuesday and were two points behind Casuals in eighth place.
Previous meetings brought back happy memories as last season, Casuals faced Faversham twice- and won twice. A 3-1 home victory and a 2-1 away win (where Jamie Byatt scored on his return to the club) were not enough as Faversham placed above Casuals last season.
As Corinthians lined up in chocolate and pink, Faversham stuck by their nickname and wore white as the sun dazzled onto King George’s. The first twenty minutes was pinball-esque as the ball bounced back and fourth from one side of the pitch to the other, occasionally gifting a team with a half-chance. Both sides were holding strong defensively but Casuals had the slight edge. Josh Gallagher hammered an ambitious effort from thirty-five yards on the volley but flew comfortably over the bar. Flashes of class from Shaun Okojie inserted energy into the game as the 6ft 2in striker held the ball from the strong Faversham centre-backs.
The first notable effort of the match was in the 45th minute as the Whites looked to take advantage at the end of the first half. A corner was not cleared convincingly as Sam Bewick peeled from his marker at the back post, but the no.7 mis-kicked as it somehow evaded the net.
Both sides were hungry to improve in the second-half as the weather deteriorated into thick clouds and a sporadic spot of rain. Casuals continued to combat the courageous Faversham defence as Juevan Spencer fired a shot a few inches over the bar. Josh Uzun, who had a relatively quiet match, used brilliant technique to volley a powerful effort towards goal but keeper Bridle-Card managed to catch it. A new signing, Ben Bridle-Card had impressed as he accurately supplied Faversham attackers with long, pin-point goal kicks. The away side did produce some attacking flair as a long ball from the half-way line was missed by Bracken and was bounced towards the empty net. Warren Morgan hoofed the ball away and the hosts survived a scare.
With around ten minutes to go, the best opportunity of the match fell to Casuals as an intelligent cluster of short passes from around the area resulted in Juevan Spencer bursting into the penalty area. He fed the ball to Josh Gallagher, who superbly curled a shot onto the crossbar and the rebound was controlled and then converted by Okojie.
However, a sharp blow on the referee’s whistle halted celebrations as the linesman flagged for offside. Disappointing. Luckless, Casuals attempted to surge forward with attacks but the disallowed goal may have destroyed their confidence and the final whistle blew. It was Corinthians’ first 0-0 of the season.
If Casuals took all three points in the clash, they would have climbed further up in the table as leaders Dorking lost to Chatham Town and Greenwich Borough succumbed to a 1-0 loss to Walton Casuals. Outside of the play-offs on goal difference, James Bracken’s army faces tenth-placed South Park before a trip to the conquerors of Dorking... Chatham.
After the match, Manager James Bracken said, "I was disappointed with the result but not the performance. We've won games this season where I've come in more disappointed than I have today.
"We've been searching for a dominant performance and today we delivered one. From the second half especially, it was evident that they were happy to come here and get a point.
"I said to the lads after, that's a mark of what we've achieved in the last eighteen months. Teams like Faversham, who you bet your house that they'll be playoff contenders, come to us and if they get a point, they go home happy. I don't think that was the case a year or two ago. That's something we've earned... respect.
"We were great but unfortunately, only up until the penalty box, where we just didn't have the quality to finish it. That's what really matters.
"You hope that officials get all the decisions right and I'm not saying the disallowed goal was rightfully ruled out or not. I didn't really see it. That's gone now anyway so it's pointless me dwelling on it. I'm only concerned with the next match against South Park. If we hit that same level of performance, I've no doubt we'll be better in front of goal, we'll score and we'll win.
"Of course I take it as a compliment when teams set themselves up to get a point here. It's not something I've ever done myself. I don't think I've ever gone into a game looking to get just a draw. Would I do that? Yes – if that's all that is needed to achieve something.
"I think Faversham did well to get a point and being honest, I think they'd say the same.
"If teams want to come here and play attacking football, we'll play that way too and if they do set up to defend, hopefully, we can create one or two chances and get the win."
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