Corinthian-Casuals 1 Sittingbourne 1
Match sponsored by Connor Saunders Foundation (www.connors5.com)
Attendance: 92
Report by Gary Weir

Steve Goddard's goal on 49 minutes provided the platform for an exciting second half which saw Sittingbourne draw level 20 minutes later to set up a tense finale on a cold and drizzly Tuesday evening at King George's Field.

Steve Goddard's comeback and presence was clearly evident. This was combined with the recently signed Spanish striker Pico Gomez showing encouraging signs of an interesting Casuals alternative strike force. Fully deserved of his goal, Goddard meandered down the left channel, brushed passed a Sittingbourne defender inside the box and clinically fired a low right footed shot into the keeper's far left handcorner consequently sending the fans behind the Tolworth Tower end into wild jubilation. 

Full credit to the Casuals faithful on the night who got behind the team straight from the moment the players emerged onto the pitch. The support from our faithful fans play such an important part in raising the atmosphere around the ground whilst lifting the spirit of the players during this difficult relegation battle.

Match Sponsor was The Connor Saunders Foundation who visited King George’s Field to present Corinthian-Casuals Football Club prior to kick off with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The portable electronic life saving device was presented to club chairman Mr Brian Vandervilt by the father of Connor Saunders whose son was tragically killed during an altercation in April of 2013. To learn more about the incredible work the Saunders family are undertaking see their webpage www.connors5.com. #5isalive

Corinthian-Casuals 2 v 2 Walton & Hersham
AET: 3 v 3 (Walton & Hersham win 3-4 from spot kicks)
Match Attendance: 62
Report by Gary Weir

The 2013-14 campaign reached yet another new low after an under resourced Casuals outfit was eliminated in the Surrey Senior Cup at the third round stage by an equally strengthened if not weaker opposition in Walton & Hersham. 

For the neutral this match easily obtained an entertainment rating of 5 stars but for those sporting chocolate and pink colours there is ample room for further doom and gloom given that this was supposed to have have been the first home victory to shout about since the 3-1 victory versus Westfield FC in the second round back in November.

The Casuals, albeit deservedly, took the lead all three occasions and undeservedly lost the lead on each of them. The opener fell to the Joel Thompson on 26 minutes who confidently clipped the ball past the opposition keeper from 10 yards out but as ever too often the lead was short lived as our Surrey neighbours grabbed the equaliser just ten minutes later. 

A further glimmer of hope appeared midway in the second half as Steve Barilli opened up his account of the evening after powering in a header from close range into the keeper's top left corner. Barilli's delight at grabbing his second goal of the season was reflected by celebrating with the Casuals faithful who were positioned behind the goal at the Tolworth Tower end. The aforementioned glimmer however was horrificly shadowed on the 87th minute when the Swans of Walton & Hersham nicked the ball from a poor Corinth defensive maneuver allowing the number 11 to cooly slot a left footed placed shot into Brackens bottom right hand side.

Nobody ever wants extra time but when the Barilli's second of the evening came on 110 minutes the Casuals faithful upn to that point got their value for money. It came at the right time too as play was mainly dominated by the home side and the number of shots throughout the game so far upped the season average by quite a considerable number. Barilli once again celebrated with the crowd and what was believed to be the match winner.

Walton's goal on 117 minutes only served to take both teams into a spot kick contest. As the Casuals missed their first two penalties the Swans playing in yellow had gained a 0-2 advantage. At 2-3 Bracken brought an ounce of hope by saving an embarrassingly struck "panenka" in what would have been the winning spot kick but after Hodges clinched our third out of five Walton & Hersham defender Andy Lomas didn't fool around and booked them an away trip against Egham Town or Horley Town in the quarter final.

Although 5 players from the reserve squad featured it was heartening that Jack Wadmore was awarded Man of the Match. Interestingly, Joe Davies converted his third penalty in 2 matches whilst Ben Bowra, Jake Wilgoss and George Smith provided the necessary back-up and assistance to lay claim as the side which has provided the most number of shots on goal this season than any other match.

This Saturday the Casuals are away at Redhill on league duty. Considering the heavy rainfall so far there is likelihood the match will be postponed. You can keep an eye on our twitter feed on our home page for updates, live match commentary and much much more.