Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 0 Ramsgate
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 24th September 2016
Match report: Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Two crucial second-half substitutions orchestrated by James Bracken proved the difference as Corinthian-Casuals earned their first clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 win over Ramsgate.
As the team sheet emerged on a mild Saturday afternoon, ripples were sent across King George’s, a fascinating selection from boss James Bracken had everyone talking. Despite impressing in the midweek clash against East Grinstead Town, goal-scorer Shaun Brown was benched ahead of namesake Shaun Okojie in attack. Josh Gallagher returned to the starting XI with the the injured Kevant Serbony sitting out. The defence saw the midfielder Niall Wright and the imposing Jack Strange pair up in centre-back whilst Dave Hodges made his first league start since the season opener after a spell on the sidelines. Warren Morgan took his place at his accustomed right back position. Terry Murray, Juevan Spencer, Shaun Brown and Jamie Byatt created a superb bench which Bracken could utilise at any point.
The visiting side were mid-table Ramsgate, who had beaten Casuals in the last meeting between the two in November last year. Hoping to improve on a mediocre 12th spot in the 2015/16 season, the Rams had not won in six games and were on a four game losing streak.
The white shirts of Ramsgate started brightest as the dynamic Ashley Miller fired an early shot towards goal but it was parried by Danny Bracken. Lots of corners came and passed for the visitors as Casuals were swept away by the surge of confidence and attack by the Kent-based club.
In the 17th minute, the deadlock was so nearly broken as Tom Chapman sent a remarkable effort from the right hand side of the area which cannoned off the crossbar and the curling chance denied Ramsgate an opener.
Casuals’ best moment of the half came five minutes from the break as Josh Uzun delivered a pinpoint free-kick for the towering Jack Strange. The centre-half connected but could not convert as the header dodged the crossbar by a few inches. A single moment of creativity nearly wrote Jordan Clarke on the scoresheet as the winger exploded onto the scene, tucking the ball just wide of the post from twenty yards out.
Chapman’s fire-cracker and Clarke’s outburst were the main talking points of the half, which otherwise was poor.
As the second-half started, indecision was cited as the problem, thwarting Casuals’ ability to take the lead on multiple occasions. James Bracken decided to use his star-studded bench as fan favourite Juevan Spencer and Tuesday’s star Shaun Brown made their way on the pitch for wide-men Jordan Clarke and Josh Uzun.
The injection of fast-thinking, creativity and movement on and off the ball was evident as Corinth pounced on the Ramsgate defence. The marauding Dave Hodges provided a fantastic knock to sub Juevan Spencer who controlled expertly before prodding the ball past the oncoming keeper Luke Watkins to the open Shaun Okojie. Stretching, Okojie managed to grab the all-important touch as the ball rolled over the line and into the net. It brought relieved yet surprised celebrations from the Casuals contingent as the home side edged ahead.
Continuing his terrific form, Shaun Brown let loose from 25 yards but his shot met the gloves of Watkins, who cradled the ball and started a Ramsgate counter. A Ramsgate substitute was also making an impact on the game as Alfie Paxman hammered the post ten minutes from time. An unfortunate injury for sub Shaun Brown forced the winger to come off for Jamie Byatt.
Casuals held on to steal three points from the hard-done-by Ramsgate to stay in third place. The 1-0 victory had confirmed Rams’ fifth consecutive loss but they look able to change things on Tuesday night at Sittingbourne. Meanwhile, James Bracken’s pink and brown army face Three Bridges at home on Tuesday.
“I'm delighted with the result today,” said Manager James Bracken. “That's probably our best win of the season in terms of how solid we were for the whole game. We were organised, hard working and our shape throughout the game meant that there was no period in the match where we lost our positioning.
“Everyone grafted for the first hour and made sure we hadn't conceded. We then made a couple of changes that tilted it in our favour to go and win the game.
“We probably could've added one or two more goals in just the way the game panned out on the counter attack. But all in all, I'm delighted with the lads and it's another good win.
“Ramsgate's league position doesn't reflect where they'll end up in April. I don't think they're a bad side at all, which made it a little tougher going for the first hour. We probably lacked a bit of thrust in our game but certainly gained more defensive shape which meant we were in the game.
“Conceding two or three goals has been a problem for us this season. I'm pleased with what I've seen and like I've said before, I've wanted to get back to winning games by 1-0. On another day, that would be two or three-nil and praise would be heaped on us saying that's fantastic... that's brilliant.”
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 24th September 2016
Match report: Cameron Smith. Pics: Stuart Tree (full set here)
Two crucial second-half substitutions orchestrated by James Bracken proved the difference as Corinthian-Casuals earned their first clean sheet of the season in a 1-0 win over Ramsgate.
As the team sheet emerged on a mild Saturday afternoon, ripples were sent across King George’s, a fascinating selection from boss James Bracken had everyone talking. Despite impressing in the midweek clash against East Grinstead Town, goal-scorer Shaun Brown was benched ahead of namesake Shaun Okojie in attack. Josh Gallagher returned to the starting XI with the the injured Kevant Serbony sitting out. The defence saw the midfielder Niall Wright and the imposing Jack Strange pair up in centre-back whilst Dave Hodges made his first league start since the season opener after a spell on the sidelines. Warren Morgan took his place at his accustomed right back position. Terry Murray, Juevan Spencer, Shaun Brown and Jamie Byatt created a superb bench which Bracken could utilise at any point.
The visiting side were mid-table Ramsgate, who had beaten Casuals in the last meeting between the two in November last year. Hoping to improve on a mediocre 12th spot in the 2015/16 season, the Rams had not won in six games and were on a four game losing streak.
The white shirts of Ramsgate started brightest as the dynamic Ashley Miller fired an early shot towards goal but it was parried by Danny Bracken. Lots of corners came and passed for the visitors as Casuals were swept away by the surge of confidence and attack by the Kent-based club.
In the 17th minute, the deadlock was so nearly broken as Tom Chapman sent a remarkable effort from the right hand side of the area which cannoned off the crossbar and the curling chance denied Ramsgate an opener.
Casuals’ best moment of the half came five minutes from the break as Josh Uzun delivered a pinpoint free-kick for the towering Jack Strange. The centre-half connected but could not convert as the header dodged the crossbar by a few inches. A single moment of creativity nearly wrote Jordan Clarke on the scoresheet as the winger exploded onto the scene, tucking the ball just wide of the post from twenty yards out.
Chapman’s fire-cracker and Clarke’s outburst were the main talking points of the half, which otherwise was poor.
As the second-half started, indecision was cited as the problem, thwarting Casuals’ ability to take the lead on multiple occasions. James Bracken decided to use his star-studded bench as fan favourite Juevan Spencer and Tuesday’s star Shaun Brown made their way on the pitch for wide-men Jordan Clarke and Josh Uzun.
The injection of fast-thinking, creativity and movement on and off the ball was evident as Corinth pounced on the Ramsgate defence. The marauding Dave Hodges provided a fantastic knock to sub Juevan Spencer who controlled expertly before prodding the ball past the oncoming keeper Luke Watkins to the open Shaun Okojie. Stretching, Okojie managed to grab the all-important touch as the ball rolled over the line and into the net. It brought relieved yet surprised celebrations from the Casuals contingent as the home side edged ahead.
Continuing his terrific form, Shaun Brown let loose from 25 yards but his shot met the gloves of Watkins, who cradled the ball and started a Ramsgate counter. A Ramsgate substitute was also making an impact on the game as Alfie Paxman hammered the post ten minutes from time. An unfortunate injury for sub Shaun Brown forced the winger to come off for Jamie Byatt.
Casuals held on to steal three points from the hard-done-by Ramsgate to stay in third place. The 1-0 victory had confirmed Rams’ fifth consecutive loss but they look able to change things on Tuesday night at Sittingbourne. Meanwhile, James Bracken’s pink and brown army face Three Bridges at home on Tuesday.
“I'm delighted with the result today,” said Manager James Bracken. “That's probably our best win of the season in terms of how solid we were for the whole game. We were organised, hard working and our shape throughout the game meant that there was no period in the match where we lost our positioning.
“Everyone grafted for the first hour and made sure we hadn't conceded. We then made a couple of changes that tilted it in our favour to go and win the game.
“We probably could've added one or two more goals in just the way the game panned out on the counter attack. But all in all, I'm delighted with the lads and it's another good win.
“Ramsgate's league position doesn't reflect where they'll end up in April. I don't think they're a bad side at all, which made it a little tougher going for the first hour. We probably lacked a bit of thrust in our game but certainly gained more defensive shape which meant we were in the game.
“Conceding two or three goals has been a problem for us this season. I'm pleased with what I've seen and like I've said before, I've wanted to get back to winning games by 1-0. On another day, that would be two or three-nil and praise would be heaped on us saying that's fantastic... that's brilliant.”
RSS Feed