Corinthian-Casuals 1 - 1 Worthing
Bostik League Premier Division
Monday 22nd April 2019
Report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (set here) and Andy Nunn (set here)
Warren Mfula’s booming header from an Osman free-kick was cancelled out by a late Worthing equaliser in Corinthian-Casuals’ final home fixture at King George’s Arena on a beautiful Bank Holiday afternoon.
“They’re delighted with a point and we’re disappointed.” James Bracken had an indifferent reaction to Saturday’s game at Potters Bar Town, even if it meant Casuals had secured safety in the Bostik Premier. It’s the James everyone knows and loves that would leave Hertfordshire disappointed with the 2-2 draw and rather than celebrating, most likely started preparations for Monday’s clash.
Worthing sat comfortably in the play-offs before arriving to Tolworth. Not looking to slip up with only two matches remaining, the promotion pushers brought dozens of supporters to match the buzzing home atmosphere in what would be an exciting penultimate game of the season.
Hannigan returned at centre-back for Casuals, but it did not mean Robert Jamison would sit out; the no.6 fit nicely in the midfield ahead of Ekim. Jack Tucker and Kevant Serbony made up the rest of the midfield whilst Mfula and Osman renewed their linkage up-front. The pink and brown faced the whites, and it was a cagey but very even start. Adelakun, who had really found his stride in Bracken’s starting eleven, had a half-chance from a corner in the first twenty. Worthing’s dominant drum drove the team forwards enough to shoot wide a few times before their big chance arrived. It was in the form of Joseph Clarke, who fancied himself from a fair distance but could not score past Bracken’s fingertips that edged the ball onto the bar. It was a sigh of relief for Casuals who seemed to struggle breaking down a solid defence. Half-time meant regrouping for both sides.
Supporters switched ends… for the final time. A half-time burger… for the final time. A pint of beer… for the final time. The beloved King George’s has been a faithful venue for the Casuals in this historic season- seeing wins, draws and losses… and plenty of scenes! It might be an overused phrase, but KGA really is a carpet. One of the league’s (if not the league’s) best pitches is a credit to all the work Jon, Dan, Bill and Conor put in every week this season. Cheers guys, and here’s to another year!
Counter-attack seemed to be the main tactic for Bracken and his team. For a squad littered with injuries to key players, it was incredible to watch the eleven put in a shift following less than 48 hours rest. Serbony was strong and restless, Tucker held his own, Osman was hounding the defence, Strange was winning headers and Spencer was sprinting. It was a great performance already, even when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Harsh on the vocal contingent behind the goal, the Worthing massive had a chance to celebrate and take the lead, but Henry Ikeije dragged the ball well wide of Bracken’s right-hand post. The no.10 had won the penalty, which was unclear and met with appeals from the Casuals- Worthing missed a golden opportunity to go ahead. Would it come back to bite them? The answer is, quite frankly, yes.
A free-kick won by Antonio was placed on the right flank. Osman stepped up to take it as the array of shirts pushed and shoved in the area, very close to the Worthing keeper. Osman was keen to remind everyone that he tries hard but can also play hard. Swung into the back post with accuracy and perfect height, it was Mfula who rose above startled defenders to nod the ball in. It was magic number twenty for Warren! His twentieth of the season, Mfula’s fantastic leap had put Casuals 1-0 up against the odds. Mood behind the goal was like the heat. Beaming. For the striker, celebrations were only with one man and it was manager James Bracken as the team mobbed the duo in the 64th minute. One goal was bait on the end of a fishing hook for Worthing, and the Sussex side were out to get Casuals.
It was a remarkable defensive display from the hosts, who valiantly protected the goal they had scored like it was their own child. Using that analogy, Casuals were on the verge of having another one when substitute Benjamin Aghadiuno found himself clean through in the box. Adelakun and Osman interchanged the ball four times on the flank in a brilliant move that saw the midfield maestro cut inside and play in Aghadiuno, who was open. His shot was saved by Rebels’ no.1 Colovan. Gutting for the player and the fans, just ten minutes later there was a hitch to Corinthians’ fine afternoon. Singing did not seem to stop and that includes the aftermath of Worthing’s equaliser from Clarke. The no.5 had nicked a vital goal for his team that Bracken would be infuriated at especially in the 88th minute.
Byatt was introduced late on, and he challenged for the ball with the same energy as ever. When a late corner allowed Rebels’ keeper to venture forward, Byatt was chasing it alongside the no.1, but it came to no avail. And the three blows of the referee’s whistle ended the match with a draw. For the promotion pushers, it had been a nightmare. Sitting in 8th, they would leave their fate to the last game of the season. Corinth are now in 16th after adding another point in the gap between themselves and Kingstonian. Two points apart with one game left. Thank you to Worthing, good luck on the play-off hunt! King George’s is finished and used up now… well, not quite. Ground-sharers Kingstonian play Leatherhead on Saturday before a Sunday afternoon Supporters match between the Casuals and the K’s. For Bracken’s pink and brown army, it is an enduring but satisfying end to the campaign as an away day to Whitehawk beckons.
"The score-line is a fair reflection on the game," said Manager James Bracken after the match.
"Before we started, we’ve got ten players missing – and no less than seven missing since September. You only have to look at the players that stood next to the dugout this afternoon; 90% of them would get in my starting XI.
"We had ten out and a day’s less rest than Worthing, which is a massive difference having an extra 24 hours. We’ve had less than 48 hours rest and Saturday at Potters Bar was tough. It was an unforgiving pitch in unforgiving weather.
"To get out there today and put in the amount of effort that we did was superb.
"They missed a penalty, which was nice for a change – we had a bit of luck go our way. It gave us a boost and took a bit out of their sails and we looked the more likely to score for a while.
"A draw was fair, I’m happy with a draw but was disappointing to let in a late equaliser.
"We’re a tough team to play. We’ve had some losing streaks this year but we’ve also had our good wins and decent runs. In the last dozen or so games, you tell me where we haven’t competed and given our opposition a hell of a match? Win, draw or lose, our opponents will know they’ve been involved in a proper game of football. I have nothing but praise for the boys today to extract that amount of energy out of them considering the circumstances.
"You look at players like Kevant, Hamilton and Majed, who were dead on the hour mark but they still found that extra reserve and bit of quality. Boys like Mark Jamison. Hasn’t played for ages, comes into the side, plays ninety on Saturday, ninety today and finishing the game winning headers like a warrior. Just brilliant! Testament to all of them though with a great shift after a gruelling schedule.
"We’re going to Whitehawk to win. We were as motivated today to win as we have been for any game all season. I believe if you’re someone who can turn off a winning mentality, you don’t have one. I’m not travelling to Whitehawk to go back home a loser, sit and think about that game all summer. We’re going down there to win, end on a high and look forward with a positive frame of mind. We give up too much time and effort, and we’re too professional to tolerate anything less than our best. If that’s good enough to win, then great. We’ll be going with the right intentions."
Bostik League Premier Division
Monday 22nd April 2019
Report: Cameron Smith. Photos: Stuart Tree (set here) and Andy Nunn (set here)
Warren Mfula’s booming header from an Osman free-kick was cancelled out by a late Worthing equaliser in Corinthian-Casuals’ final home fixture at King George’s Arena on a beautiful Bank Holiday afternoon.
“They’re delighted with a point and we’re disappointed.” James Bracken had an indifferent reaction to Saturday’s game at Potters Bar Town, even if it meant Casuals had secured safety in the Bostik Premier. It’s the James everyone knows and loves that would leave Hertfordshire disappointed with the 2-2 draw and rather than celebrating, most likely started preparations for Monday’s clash.
Worthing sat comfortably in the play-offs before arriving to Tolworth. Not looking to slip up with only two matches remaining, the promotion pushers brought dozens of supporters to match the buzzing home atmosphere in what would be an exciting penultimate game of the season.
Hannigan returned at centre-back for Casuals, but it did not mean Robert Jamison would sit out; the no.6 fit nicely in the midfield ahead of Ekim. Jack Tucker and Kevant Serbony made up the rest of the midfield whilst Mfula and Osman renewed their linkage up-front. The pink and brown faced the whites, and it was a cagey but very even start. Adelakun, who had really found his stride in Bracken’s starting eleven, had a half-chance from a corner in the first twenty. Worthing’s dominant drum drove the team forwards enough to shoot wide a few times before their big chance arrived. It was in the form of Joseph Clarke, who fancied himself from a fair distance but could not score past Bracken’s fingertips that edged the ball onto the bar. It was a sigh of relief for Casuals who seemed to struggle breaking down a solid defence. Half-time meant regrouping for both sides.
Supporters switched ends… for the final time. A half-time burger… for the final time. A pint of beer… for the final time. The beloved King George’s has been a faithful venue for the Casuals in this historic season- seeing wins, draws and losses… and plenty of scenes! It might be an overused phrase, but KGA really is a carpet. One of the league’s (if not the league’s) best pitches is a credit to all the work Jon, Dan, Bill and Conor put in every week this season. Cheers guys, and here’s to another year!
Counter-attack seemed to be the main tactic for Bracken and his team. For a squad littered with injuries to key players, it was incredible to watch the eleven put in a shift following less than 48 hours rest. Serbony was strong and restless, Tucker held his own, Osman was hounding the defence, Strange was winning headers and Spencer was sprinting. It was a great performance already, even when the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Harsh on the vocal contingent behind the goal, the Worthing massive had a chance to celebrate and take the lead, but Henry Ikeije dragged the ball well wide of Bracken’s right-hand post. The no.10 had won the penalty, which was unclear and met with appeals from the Casuals- Worthing missed a golden opportunity to go ahead. Would it come back to bite them? The answer is, quite frankly, yes.
A free-kick won by Antonio was placed on the right flank. Osman stepped up to take it as the array of shirts pushed and shoved in the area, very close to the Worthing keeper. Osman was keen to remind everyone that he tries hard but can also play hard. Swung into the back post with accuracy and perfect height, it was Mfula who rose above startled defenders to nod the ball in. It was magic number twenty for Warren! His twentieth of the season, Mfula’s fantastic leap had put Casuals 1-0 up against the odds. Mood behind the goal was like the heat. Beaming. For the striker, celebrations were only with one man and it was manager James Bracken as the team mobbed the duo in the 64th minute. One goal was bait on the end of a fishing hook for Worthing, and the Sussex side were out to get Casuals.
It was a remarkable defensive display from the hosts, who valiantly protected the goal they had scored like it was their own child. Using that analogy, Casuals were on the verge of having another one when substitute Benjamin Aghadiuno found himself clean through in the box. Adelakun and Osman interchanged the ball four times on the flank in a brilliant move that saw the midfield maestro cut inside and play in Aghadiuno, who was open. His shot was saved by Rebels’ no.1 Colovan. Gutting for the player and the fans, just ten minutes later there was a hitch to Corinthians’ fine afternoon. Singing did not seem to stop and that includes the aftermath of Worthing’s equaliser from Clarke. The no.5 had nicked a vital goal for his team that Bracken would be infuriated at especially in the 88th minute.
Byatt was introduced late on, and he challenged for the ball with the same energy as ever. When a late corner allowed Rebels’ keeper to venture forward, Byatt was chasing it alongside the no.1, but it came to no avail. And the three blows of the referee’s whistle ended the match with a draw. For the promotion pushers, it had been a nightmare. Sitting in 8th, they would leave their fate to the last game of the season. Corinth are now in 16th after adding another point in the gap between themselves and Kingstonian. Two points apart with one game left. Thank you to Worthing, good luck on the play-off hunt! King George’s is finished and used up now… well, not quite. Ground-sharers Kingstonian play Leatherhead on Saturday before a Sunday afternoon Supporters match between the Casuals and the K’s. For Bracken’s pink and brown army, it is an enduring but satisfying end to the campaign as an away day to Whitehawk beckons.
"The score-line is a fair reflection on the game," said Manager James Bracken after the match.
"Before we started, we’ve got ten players missing – and no less than seven missing since September. You only have to look at the players that stood next to the dugout this afternoon; 90% of them would get in my starting XI.
"We had ten out and a day’s less rest than Worthing, which is a massive difference having an extra 24 hours. We’ve had less than 48 hours rest and Saturday at Potters Bar was tough. It was an unforgiving pitch in unforgiving weather.
"To get out there today and put in the amount of effort that we did was superb.
"They missed a penalty, which was nice for a change – we had a bit of luck go our way. It gave us a boost and took a bit out of their sails and we looked the more likely to score for a while.
"A draw was fair, I’m happy with a draw but was disappointing to let in a late equaliser.
"We’re a tough team to play. We’ve had some losing streaks this year but we’ve also had our good wins and decent runs. In the last dozen or so games, you tell me where we haven’t competed and given our opposition a hell of a match? Win, draw or lose, our opponents will know they’ve been involved in a proper game of football. I have nothing but praise for the boys today to extract that amount of energy out of them considering the circumstances.
"You look at players like Kevant, Hamilton and Majed, who were dead on the hour mark but they still found that extra reserve and bit of quality. Boys like Mark Jamison. Hasn’t played for ages, comes into the side, plays ninety on Saturday, ninety today and finishing the game winning headers like a warrior. Just brilliant! Testament to all of them though with a great shift after a gruelling schedule.
"We’re going to Whitehawk to win. We were as motivated today to win as we have been for any game all season. I believe if you’re someone who can turn off a winning mentality, you don’t have one. I’m not travelling to Whitehawk to go back home a loser, sit and think about that game all summer. We’re going down there to win, end on a high and look forward with a positive frame of mind. We give up too much time and effort, and we’re too professional to tolerate anything less than our best. If that’s good enough to win, then great. We’ll be going with the right intentions."
RSS Feed