Zero goals, One point apiece

Corinthian-Casuals 0-0 Whyteleafe
Bostik League South
Saturday 16th September 2017
Match report Cameron Smith

An in-form Whyteleafe side were held by the solid Corinthian-Casuals on a wet Saturday afternoon at the King George Arena, in which neither side were able to put the ball in the back of the net in a tense Bostik League South fixture.

Following a delightful 1-0 away victory in the Channel Islands versus Guernsey, James Bracken’s army marched to Walton Road, home of Molesey FC on Tuesday night, and picked up another three points thanks to a superb first-half display. In the last two games, Corinthians were playing ‘out-of-form’ teams (both Guernsey and Molesey are in the bottom half of the table) so when top of the league Whyteleafe came knocking, the Bracken Brothers may have had to re-think their tactics.

There was a strange sense of evenness as soon as the first ball was kicked. The yellow shirts of Leafe were constantly showing off their attacking prowess inside the first 45- it was half-chances galore for the visitors. For Casuals, it took a bit of time for the new strike-force to gel, as Gabriel Odunaike took the no.9 shirt, and Hamilton Antonio was Casuals’ main forward; he replaced Jerson Dos Santos, who has left the club to join fellow-Bostik Division South side Hythe Town. The partnership of Odunaike and Antonio produced a few opportunities that soon deteriorated. Overall, it was a game of dire quality at the break, and spectators from both sides were praying that a half-time team talk would create a more entertaining match.

Jordan Clarke was introduced at half-time and the energetic winger had the best chance of the game within the first 10 minutes of his inclusion. Bursting at the seams with confidence after coming back from injury, Clarke’s dribble into the area perplexed defenders and wowed supporters, but the decisive shot on goal was saved well by Leafe no.1 Matte Pierson. Then, Casuals were in uproar over the referee’s shake of his head- Max Oldham fell to the ground in the penalty area due to a seemingly-clumsy tackle, but the appeals were to no avail.

It was the final 20 minutes that left both sets of supporters with their heads in their hands as the Casuals and the Leafe took turns in missing opportunities. Substitute Cunningham had a glorious chance when Warren Morgan chipped a perfect ball past the Whyteleafe back-four and towards the striker, who decided to volley the ball first-time. Unfortunately for the hosts, the effort flew high over the bar, prompting humorous chants from the vocal Leafe fans. Danny Bracken came to Corinthians’ aid late on as the captain was outstretched to tip the ball away for another corner after a darting header from the away side. Stoppage time brought set-pieces after set-pieces, but at full-time, it was Casuals 0-0 Whyteleafe.

The chocolate and pink of Corinth now sit in 7th place, and Whyteleafe sit at the top. The two sides are meeting again very soon… the Velocity Trophy starts this Tuesday evening, and Casuals will take a trip to the artificial Church Road. Faversham Town are the next opponents in the league, but the Kent-based side have proved to be a bogey side for Casuals over the past few seasons- will James Bracken & co. end that?