
Horsham 1 v 3 Corinthian-Casuals
The chocolate and pink faithful were rewarded with 3 fine points after a scintillating second half performance by the buzzing Casuals left the Hornets dazed in Horsham.
This was a Casuals performance that everyone of Corinthian mind, body and soul craved. A performance where after going 3-1 up saw witness to Kim Harris' side maintain moments of tiki-taka possession combined with a fusion of attacking fervour down the channels and copious measures of defensive composure. However, the mountain climb to peak bliss commenced downhill as in the 13th minute the home side caught the nation of Corinth on the back foot with Junior Kaffo finishing off a powerful counter with a deflected strike over Danny Bracken. Despite the early lead it wasn’t surprising either due to a number of the breaks the home side enjoyed and the number of attempts threatened on goal early on.
Despite the 1-0 disadvantage the Casuals demonstrated hints of determination to get back in the game as witnessed earlier this week in the second half against Ryman Premier opposition. No clear cut chances were carved up though apart from an ambitious off target attempt by Thompson, who by all means had every right to strike from the edge of the box.
After the restart it only took a further 13 minutes for the Casuals to stake a claim for the match with Danny Dudley grabbing his first goal of the season. Firing from 6 yards out into the roof of the net Dudley denied the Hornets defence any chance of stopping it a second time after a goalmouth scramble prior saw the ball being suspiciously cleared from behind the goal line. The tall defender immediately directed his goal celebration to the Faithful in the shed who were as jubilant as the rest of the team and management.
And, it didn´t take long for the Casuals to take the lead either. On 65 minutes, what seemed like a standard corner was accurately swung in from the left corner by midfielder Tommy Williams somehow managing to negotiate it through the populated 6 yard box, getting it to bounce off the keeper and have it negotiate itself over the line. Just as dismayed as the crowd all Chocolate and Pink shirts swarmed over to the number 8 on the far corner relishing in the glory that the summit of victory was in sight and Williams' contribution to the Corinthian cause.
By this time Horsham were finding it difficult to breakdown an impenetrable defence. Green and Turley marshalled well but the beating heart was in midfield. The experienced Tommy Williams throughout the 80 minutes he offered had expertly distributed play out onto the wings time and time again bringing in Hodges down the left and a Tom Williams down the right which resulted in both wing backs linking up well with the front men in Byatt, Thompson and the newly introduced Juevan Spencer.
The move that sealed the points could easily be argued as goal of the season so far. The third goal on 78 minutes sealed the points, icing the proverbial cake in a move that could only be described as "taken from the training ground". Neat combination through the middle saw the energetic Tom Williams released deep down on the right channel. With time to compose he delivered a Byatt head bound cross into the penalty area which permitted the Casuals number 9 to direct it into the keepers top left corner without any hope. The move was so swift that the home defence was still on the backfoot whilst Byatt conducted a Dudleyesque celebration towards the joyous Faithful and the bench team.
With ten minutes still remaining the momentum was evidently pro Casuals. Possession was enjoyed, attacking play and shots on goal encouraged, the inspired Byatt threatened and harried the opposition defence whilst the no nonsense Coleman and Wilson-Joseph made steals and won all the ariel attacks...how they played!
As the final three minutes of additional time were announced a throwaway comment was heard from the home support, "beaten by a bunch of amateurs". Little do they know that Corinthian spirit cannot be bought.
Well done team!