Our reserves team have only gone and done it again. Still in three cups, Paul Stewart's reserves side made sure progress to the third round of the Suburban League Challenge was achieved with an away 1-1 draw against Southern Counties East club Phoenix Sports Club.

Jeff Okirie, on his first game, grabbed the Casuals goal early on. Phoenix  Sports Club equalised in the last ten minutes to set up a tense finale given they needed just another goal to make it 3-3 on aggregate - obviously this did not happen with the Chocolate and Pink running out 3-2 winners over the two matches. Also making his debut was 17 year old Matthew Roberts. We welcome the two new additions to the squad and hope they enjoy playing football for this historic football club.

Next round the reserves are away to Berkhamsted - date to be confirmed. This Saturday they are at home to Peckham Town's 1st team in 1/4 final of London Senior Trophy and the following Wednesday away to Frimley Green in the quarter final of Surrey Premier Cup.

With a promising fixture calendar lend your support to Paul Stewart's side and cheer them on to victory. Come on the Casuals!

Walton Hersham 1 v 4 Corinthian-Casuals

The Corinthian Spirit was clearly evident on Tuesday evening after the Casuals left Stompond Lane with a marvellous second half performance and whilst stamping their claim as one of the form teams in the Ryman Division 1 South this 2014.

The match started slowly as both sides tested each others defence but no clear cut chance was evident. Walton & Hersham threatened on a couple of occasions but it took a handball by Defoe in the penalty area for them to get their first shot on target, Greg Andrews sending Bracken the wrong way on 30 minutes. 

The Casuals best attempt of the first half came on 44 minutes when Wilson-Joseph picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and struck his shot just wide to the Swan's right hand post.

The second half kicked off with a bang. Just 3 minutes into the restart Jamie Byatt received a pass on the attacking right channel, with back to goal, 20 yards out he twisted to his left foot, placing a neat lob beyond the opposition keeper into the net whilst sending the Casuals faithful into an immediate chorus of "one Jamie Byatt".

It didn't take long for the second to come. On 55 Minutes Juevan Spencer found himself in acres of midfield space, drove towards goal, shot low and hard from the edge only for the keeper to parry it back out. It consequentially fell to Byatt who expertly dished out a thundering left footer from inside the penalty box. The third came just 5 minutes later when Hodges blasted an unstoppable left footed shot from 12 yards out after a Defoe free kick on the left channel was headed powerfully back across goal from the centre half Joe Hicks.

With Corinth in the ascendency regretfully some momentum was lost with the expulsion of Ben Bowra. He was rather unfortunate to see red desite his attempt to reach first an overhit Walton pass by diving feet in and studs showing.

Down to 10 men the Casuals never looked threatened and continued to channel their attacks. Dave Hodges did well to repeatedly charge the left flank and Byatt's continued pressing prevented Walton & Hersham any further opportunity to build sustainable combination play.

On 88 minutes, however, Byatt marvelled again and secured his hat trick. Defoe expertly chipped his free kick to Hodges down the left wing who got to the bye-line in time to drive a low cross under the keeper where Byatt was present to smash it from just a yard out. The hat trick hero's celebration saw him dart full speed cross-pitch towards now ex-Manager, Kim Harris, who was present to witness the astounding goalscorer grab his 18th goal of the season.

On an interim basis, the club is managed by General Manager Brian Adamson. Tuesday's team was led from the changing area by Tony Davies assisted by coach Luke Garrard and currently injured midfield maestro Tommy Williams.

Photo courtesy of Andy the Photographer (@andythephoto) 

A second-half hat-trick from Jamie Byatt boosted Casuals to a 4-1 away win at Walton & Hersham on Tuesday night. 

Although 1-0 down at half-time, following a 30th minute penalty, Jamie crafted a stunning lob to level the scores, before firing home from a parried shot and wrapping up the scoring, tapping home from close range off a Dave Hodges cross.

Hodges scored the other goal, a cracking volley over the Swan's keeper, which takes Casuals to two wins in three and only one loss in the last five. Could the great escape be on the cards? A full match report will follow in due course. Thanks to Andy Nunn for his great photography of the game, which can be seen here.