Thatch Dispatch Casuals in Quick Time

​Corinthian-Casuals     1-3       Thatcham Town
Aderi-Dede 90’                           Ebanda 5’, 16’ Tanner 33’

Pitching In Isthmian League – South Central Division
Saturday 3 February 2024
Attendance: 196
Match Report: Zac Welshman
mage: Stuart Tree

It was another tough afternoon for Casuals as the visiting Thatcham Town ran out as comfortable winners following a dominant first half performance that saw Paul Barnes’ side three goals down after 33 minutes.

Played out beneath a moody grey sky, Casuals struggled to get a foothold in the game with Thatcham setting the pace early on. After a handful of opportunities in the opening moments, Jordi Ebanda opened the scoring in the fifth minute – connecting with a low Kyle Daniel-Spray cross from the left flank and firing past Daniel O’Donovan. Despite the early setback, Casuals nearly levelled after Melford Simpson snatched the ball from a Thatcham defender on the halfway line before driving toward goal, but the resulting effort was easy enough for Callum Smart to collect.

After that missed opportunity, Daniel-Spray and Ebanda combined once again to double the deficit in the 16th minute. Daniel-Spray, who caused Barnes’ team issues all afternoon broke free midway up the pitch, running into open space before teeing up Ebanda who slotted the ball into the net with a neat first-time finish.

The result was effectively sealed in the 33rd minute as the hosts added another. Captain Quade Taylor haphazardly lost the ball on the edge of the Casuals box and despite Nathan Jones hitting the frame of the goal from the resulting strike, Casuals couldn’t escape the pressure. Sam Tanner found a sight of goal from the edge of the box, and his emphatic left-footed effort flew into the Casuals net before O’Donovan could react.

After a bitterly disappointing first period, Casuals emerged from the tunnel to play out an improved second half performance. With Casuals nullifying much of the visitor’s attacking threat, chances were at a premium for both sides after the break. But Casuals were rewarded for their improvement in stoppage time as Aderi Arthur-Dede fired home amidst a scramble in the Thatcham box, giving the home fans behind the goal a late chance to celebrate.
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Casuals will now shift their focus to Tuesday’s Surrey Senior Cup fixture against Woking before a vital league matchup away to relegation rivals Binfield.