Blog Archives

A Casual Pint

24/9/2018

We are excited to announce that Corinthian-Casuals are teaming up Brightwater Brewery to provide locally produced real ales at our Clubhouse bar on matchdays.

Based at ‘Platform 3’ in Claygate - England’s smallest pub - Brightwater was founded by Alex and Sue Coomes in 2012 with the simple aim of producing high quality real ale. Since then, they’ve won the UK’s ‘Great Taste Award’ in 2016 and 2017 as well as Time & Leisure’s ‘Best Pub’ 2017.

Now Alex and Sue have kindly agreed to provide two specially named cask beers just for Corinthian-Casuals!

CORINTHIAN All Citra Pale Ale (4.3 ABV) - Brewed with only citra hops this refreshing ale has a distinctive citrus flavour.

THE CASUAL Golden Ale (4.0 ABV) - a deliciously refreshing golden ale, packed full of flavour with a bitter sweet after taste.

A few lucky Casuals fans were on hand to sample some delicious Brightwater beers at Platform 3 last week. Judging by the amount that we all consumed, it’s safe to say that they’re going to be very popular here at King George’s Field!

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Match Preview: Carshalton Athletic

17/9/2018

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Monday night sees us take on local rivals Carshalton Athletic in the 1st Round of the Velocity Trophy.

It’s a competition that’s seen Casuals perform well in the last two seasons, reaching the quarter final and semi-final in consecutive years. In fact, James Bracken’s side are the only side left in the Bostik League who made the final four last season. Billericay Town and Dulwich Hamlet were both promoted to the Vanarama National League South and Met Police moved to the Southern League Premier.

It’ll be the second game in 48 hours for both sides as Carshalton hosted Bognor Regis Town on Saturday whilst Casuals visited Harlow Town. This will be the third match in succession played on 3G artificial surface for Corinth and should by now, be used to it!

Casuals joined Carshalton in the Premier League over the summer. The Robins won the Bostik League South last term and have started in reasonably good shape, taking 9 points from their first six fixtures. A shock loss at home to Horsham in the FA Cup Preliminary Round wasn’t on the cards though and their involvement in the ‘greatest cup competition’ came to an abrupt halt at the first stage.

The last time these two sides met at Colston Avenue, it ended in a 0-0 draw on Boxing Day 2017. Whatever happens, this can’t be repeated as this cup tie must be played to a conclusion. Should the scores remain the same after 90 minutes, penalty kicks will determine who progresses to face Chipstead at home in the next round.

It’s likely that Casuals will come across at least one ex-player, now with the Robins. Jerson Dos Santos joined Peter Adeniyi’s side in the Summer from Hythe Town. Danny Dudley is also into his second season at the War Memorial Ground and could also feature. For those with a longer memory, Jordan Cheadle was also a Casual at one stage.

On the flipside, Jordan Clarke had a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ stay with Carshalton at the start of the season before re-acquainting himself with James and his teammates of the last two years.

It’s only a short journey to Colston Avenue so we hope you’ll turn out in good numbers. The full address is War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Ave, Sutton, Carshalton SM5 2PW. It’s only 7 miles from the gates of King George’s and is a journey that’ll take approximately half an hour in rush hour traffic (if you’re lucky). Nearest Rail is Carshalton, just a couple of minutes walk from the ground. Both Thameslink and Southern serve the station. Your best bet for public transport is take the 418 or 406 bus to Epsom and jump on the train. It’s only four stops away.

Admission is £10 adults. Senior (over 65) is reduced to £6 and Under 18’s pay £3. For those who like to grab a programme as a memento of the match, please be aware that Carshalton only produce an ‘online only’ issue.

As previously mentioned, the winners of the match will host Chipstead at a date to be arranged.

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Match Preview: Harlow Town

14/9/2018

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Corinthian-Casuals make their first journey away from King George’s in the league since the opening day of the season as they face Harlow Town in the Bostik League Premier Division on Saturday.

And it’s a match that boss James Bracken will feel his side can come away with all three points.

Harlow currently sit just above Casuals in the league table having won just once this season. Their solitary victory came against Leatherhead at the start of the month, winning 3-1 at Fetcham Grove. Their only other point gained was in a 1-1 draw with perennial strugglers Burgess Hill Town at Harlow Arena – home of the Hawks.

The Hawks were in action on Tuesday, as were Casuals in FA Cup replay action. A 1-1 draw with Hendon saw the two teams meet again with Hendon booking their place in the next round, courtesy of a 118th minute penalty winner. Harlow had taken it to extra time in the last minute but alas, was not enough to seal the victory.

Town struggled in the Premier last year finishing in 21st – a spot that would have seen them relegated in a normal season. However, with league restructures, they avoided the drop.

It’s been a while since the two sides met in league action. You have to go back 20 years for the last meeting, before the Isthmian League was territorially split. On that Saturday in March 1998, Harlow won 2-0. They’d done the double over Casuals – playing their first season back in the Isthmian having won 3-1 at King George’s. The previous win before that came another 20 years prior, with Harlow once again winning 2-0. We hope that after this season, it won’t be another two decades before we both meet again.

Harlow Arena is located just outside of the town at Elizabeth Way, Harlow, Essex CM19 5BE. The ground is equidistant from both Roydon and Harlow Town Railway Stations. A trip across London, via the Victoria Line appears to be the best route via public transport, but for those driving, it’s an approximately 90 minute drive via the Dartford Tunnel – though don’t forget to pay the toll charge online.

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Match Preview: Whyteleafe

10/9/2018

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Tuesday 11th September sees Corinthian-Casuals travel over to Whyteleafe to settle their Emirates FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie after the two sides were locked in stalemate at King George’s on Saturday.

Following the 0-0 draw at Tolworth, both teams will play to a conclusion at Church Road, potentially ending on a penalty shoot-out if required. The winners will receive £6,000 in prize money and a mouth-watering tie away to National League South side St Albans City on the 22nd.

Manager James Bracken said after the match on Saturday, “We’re in the hat for the draw and we have another chance to secure our place on Tuesday. I said to the lads afterwards, we’ve been gifted another chance. Let’s not take it for granted and throw it away. We haven’t been good enough in this first game and we need to ensure that we’re much better, come the replay.”

Leafe boss, Harry Hudson was the more disappointed of the two managers, quipping “It says a lot when we are feeling deflated about drawing away to a team in a league above us!”

Statistically-speaking, there’s nothing between Leafe and the Amateurs from their previous ten outings at Church Road. In the last ten competitive fixtures, both sides have won five times and scored 15 goals. Bracken can take heart in the fact that he’s won two out of the last three occasions. A pre-season friendly at the start of July realistically can’t be counted, though Hudson’s outfit won that 3-1.

Though Whyteleafe are a step lower, they of course were regular opponents of Casuals up until this season which saw promotion for Corinth to the Bostik League Premier. But a tough start for Casuals combined with an unbeaten start for Whyteleafe results in a replay that’s wide open.

Whyteleafe’s picturesque setting is an approximate 45 minute drive from King George’s, following best rush hour traffic routes. Parking is limited though there is additional room in Church Road. The nearest railway station is Whytelafe, situated just minutes’ walk from the ground. Change at Clapham Junction for the Southern Rail service.

Admission is £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and kids for a quid. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

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