​Statement of Intent

Cobham 1 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties  League Premier South
Saturday 9th August 2025
Report and Photos: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Additional photos: Andy Nunn

Corinthian-Casuals Manager Mu Maan issued a “statement of intent” to the rest of the Combined Counties following a dramatic 2-1 win at Cobham.

Goals from Brazilians Rafa Barbosa and Marcos Dos Santos ensured Casuals walked away from the Reg Madgwick Stadium with a vital three points.

And with many tipping Cobham to be in the title race this season, the result meant even more to Maan following a poor performance at Badshot Lea just three days earlier.

Corinth came into the match missing Captain Arsenii Protsyshyn and Tommy Smith in defence as well as Shea Cascoe Rogers, who’ll be out for several weeks with a sprain. In came George Bond, on dual registration from South Park as well as a return for Andre Coker following a one match suspension.

Cobham were coming off the back of an impressive 4-0 win away at Tooting and thus, full of confidence, being unbeaten this season. It was the hosts who dominated the ball, with large amounts of possession in the middle of the park. But they were unable to turn the screw, with chances limited to corners or set-pieces. And so often is the case, it was Casuals who opened the scoring against the run of play. Bond fired a shot at Conrad Knight who could only parry it, leaving Barbosa to nod home.

Heat haze enveloped the pitch; an indication of the tough temperatures dictating the intensity. It looked as though the visitors were going to keep Cobham at bay, but in the 86th minute, a foul on the edge of the box saw Patrick Murray convert a low free kick into the corner of the goal.

But the drama wasn’t to end there. In a final twist, Diogo Da Silva’s wide free kick was brushed home by the head of Dos Santos to give Casuals a vital three points, at what will be, a tough place for any side to get a positive result.

“I told the boys that today, we make a statement,” said Mu Maan after the match “A statement of intent, because I was so disappointed with Tuesday. Having a defeat under our name so early in the season hurt me.
“Today was a massive reaction. I'm proud of the boys. We deserved that. We were solid. We were structured. We were organised.

“If I was to be a little bit critical, we gave the ball away too many times in the first half, and we let them off lightly.  We did start to get our feet on the ball. And by the end, I think we deserved that. We worked very hard. I'm absolutely buzzing for the boys, happy for the fans. It's three points on the board.

“You can never give up, no matter what obstacles are thrown at you. Football is a funny old game, and in the blink of an eye, it can change instantly.

“People should sit up and notice what we have here at this club. If I was them, I would. They'll see the result today and think, yep, yep, that was a statement of intent. To beat Cobham on their own patch is not easy. I know Lewi (Craig Lewington – Cobham Manager) very well. I've played with Lewi. I know what his teams are like. They're a good side. They're going to be up there come the end of the season. So for us to come here and get three points… I'm very happy.”
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Casuals turn their attention to the FA Cup on Saturday where they host Sevenoaks Town.