Match Reports
A Night To Forget
Uxbridge 5-1 Corinthian-Casuals
Ndukuba 15,36 Deakin 19
Hedley 34
Paris 56
Mensah 66
Wednesday 23 August 2023
The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
Attendance: 154
Match Report by Finlay Stubbs
Photo by Chris Randall
Corinthian-Casuals were left stunned after they fell to a heavy 5-1 defeat to a well-organised Uxbridge side in their FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay.
After an entertaining 2-2 draw at the weekend, a replay at Slough Town, where Uxbridge currently groundshare, was needed to decide which side would make it into the first qualifying round on a warm late summer’s evening.
The opening stages were played at a high intensity with both teams looking to play into the final third. The first chance of the game fell to Uxbridge winger Ezra Ndukuba, who skipped past Oscar Walton and fired his shot against the base of the near post. However, the hosts were rewarded for their early pressure and took the lead in the 15th minute after an effort from Alex Witham was parried by Mohammed Otuyo into the path of Ndukuba, who tapped in the rebound to give his side the lead.
Despite being pegged back, Casuals set about getting the equaliser with direct passes into the feet of striker Reece Deakin, whose strong hold-up play earned his team a free-kick 20 yards out. Deakin stepped up and his deflected effort found its way past the diving Loris Marciman to equalise four minutes after conceding.
Casuals continued to battle hard in midfield areas with Rmani Blankson, Dylan Cascoe and Ayomide Majekodunmi looking to regain possession and play into the front three quickly. Despite Casuals’ tenacity, Uxbridge were able to regain the lead after a driven cross from Witham was parried by Otuyo into the path of Alan Hedley who slammed home from the edge of the box.
It soon got better for the hosts, who doubled their lead. After a mistake in the Casuals back line, the ball made its way to the ever-dangerous Ndukuba who calmly slotted his attempt past the onrushing Otuyo to punish the visitors defence.
The opportunities continued for the home side when a deflected effort from the edge of the area rattled against the bar. Just before half-time, Casuals winger Elliott Cannon-Gibson came close when his curling effort was well saved by Marciman to ensure the score remained 3-1 at the break.
The second half began with the hosts looking to seal their spot in the next round, with their wingers providing their outlets and winning free-kicks in dangerous positions. One of these free kicks proved to be costly for Casuals as Luke Parris headed home from eight yards out to make the possibility of a comeback even more unlikely for Andy Gray’s side.
The visitors continued to try and find a way back into the contest and restore some pride to take back to Tolworth with a cross from full back Adonai Dacruz finding the head of substitute Donnell Moore. Unfortunately for Casuals, his effort was well held by the Uxbridge goalkeeper.
However, Uxbridge were looking to add to their tally and got their fifth of the evening. After a great save from Otuyo, the hosts recovered the ball well and a cross from the right was slotted home by Bernard Mensah to dampen Casuals spirits, giving his side a home draw in the next round.
Overall, it was a tough day at the office for Gray’s side, who showed glimpses of quality but ultimately were second best to an Uxbridge side that switched the play at pace and were ruthless in their finishing.
Next up for Casuals is a home league fixture against Marlow on Saturday, before a short trip to Chipstead on Bank Holiday Monday, as Gray continues to mould his squad
Late Disappointment for Casuals on Final Day
Reilly 15 Isiaka 70
Cerulli 90
Pitching in Isthmian Premier League
Saturday 22 April 2023
Attendance 304
Match Report by James Streatfield
Photo by Stuart Tree
Late heartbreak was the order of the day for Corinthian-Casuals as they fell to defeat after a last-ditch onslaught from a visiting Billericay Town following a game that saw both sides create chances aplenty and left both sets of fans bemused as to how it only finished 2-1.
Casuals made the perfect start as their pressure paid off a quarter of an hour in — Finlay Lovatt capitalised on a loose ball from Billericay’s Harry Seaden, playing a square ball to Mack Reilly who tapped home from six yards.
The hosts almost doubled their lead when Ricardo Thompson made a surging run from midfield before being taken down just outside the area. Lovatt’s dead-ball attempt flew just adrift of the top-left corner.
Sahid Kamara was involved as ever, as he expertly found space on the edge of the box, before firing a right-footed shot that slammed the crossbar just before half-time.
Going into the break, Casuals would have been pleased with the way they managed Billericay’s threat in the first 45 minutes, with Callum Coulter remaining virtually untroubled at that point.
Shortly after the break, Billericay came close after a Bradley Stevenson corner evaded those in the box and ended in a Casuals goal kick. A warning sign for the home side, showing Billericay were not down and out.
Casuals responded to the early pressure as Lovatt fashioned a way into the Billericay area and played the ball across the six-yard box, but no one in a pink-and-chocolate shirt could fire home. Chislett picked the ball up after the passage of play, smashing in a low shot, but Seaden was equal to it.
Casuals’ advantage was scrapped after a hopeful ball from George Wind found substitute Kareem Isiaka who made space before smashing his shot high into the top-left corner of Coulter’s net.
Billericay looked to have gone ahead soon afterwards as Michael Chambers rose highest from a corner, and with his header floating towards the far left corner, Casuals’ captain fantastic Jack Tucker was there to meet it on the line, heading away to keep the score level.
At the other end, Kamara’s shot from outside the area looked to be nestling into the far corner, but with Seaden rooted to the spot, the strike hit the woodwork for the second time, this time bouncing off the upright — when your luck’s out, it’s out.
With the game looking set to finish all square, Casuals succumbed to defeat late on, when the ball fell to Alfie Cerulli from a corner and he lashed it into the top-right corner to win the game for Billericay.
Despite the result, Casuals were unlucky not to put the ball in the net on multiple occasions and will be disappointed to have not given their loyal contingent something to cheer about on the final day.
The season awards were handed out in the clubhouse after the game, as Callum Coulter was voted Supporters’ Player of the Year, while Ricardo Thompson was named Players’ Player of the Year for the second consecutive campaign.
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Chislett, Lahan, Collins, Hyman, Tucker; Thompson, Lovatt; Kamara, Duru (Adeoti-Ajiboye 78), Reilly (McDonald 82)
Casuals Succumb to Derby Day Defeat
Pitching In Isthmian Premier League
Monday 10 April 2023
Attendance 557
Match Report by James Streatfield
Photo by Simon Roe
Corinthian-Casuals fell to defeat at the hands of local rivals Kingstonian on a gusty bank holiday afternoon.
Just two days on from defeat at Cray Wanderers, Casuals came into the fixture knowing their fate had been decided this season. With relegation confirmed, and the prospect of Step 4 football next season, Brian Adamson’s men faced a tough task against a Kingstonian side themselves fighting for survival.
The tone was set early on, with Casuals showing clear signs of a team with little to play for. Just 10 minutes in, Ibrahim Bangura picked up a deflected pass and fired a long–range effort that found the top–right corner of Callum Coulter’s net, though there wasn’t much the Casuals keeper could do about it.
Kingstonian did not let up after their opener, piling the pressure on Casuals. Darnell Goather-Lewis’ shot from just inside the box stung the palms of Coulter, who tipped the ball round the post at full stretch, once again proving his value to his side.
Ultimately, Casuals posed little threat to Kingstonian, who marshalled the home side’s attack well. The remainder of the first half fell largely in favour of the away side who attempted to build on their strong start.
Kingstonian looked to have doubled their lead just before the break when Emmanuel Adebiyi played through David Nyarko but his shot cannoned off the crossbar and down onto the right side of the goal line from a Casuals perspective – a let off for the home side.
After half-time, Casuals had an opening early on but Sahid Kamara’s speculative effort dribbled wide of the goal. Then Kingstonian took the game to us again, and Nyarko was involved once again when he burst through on goal and took the ball round Coulter, but his touch was too heavy and only found the hoardings behind the goal, to the relief of Casuals.
Their relief would be short-lived, though, as Casuals found themselves 2-0 down on the hour mark when a ball from Goather-Lewis found Tom Collins, who settled himself before slotting the ball into the bottom–left corner.
Casuals’ plight worsened not long after as Sean Agun’s was dismissed for a challenge on the half-way line. His dismissal provided a microcosm of Casuals’ day, and further disappointment awaited for the home side as Simba Kudyiwa also saw red after a crunching challenge on Michael Abnett, who began this season in a pink-and-chocolate shirt. Casuals were down to nine men, with tensions rising right up until the final whistle.
With two games remaining in the season, Corinthian-Casuals travel to Brightlingsea Regent this Saturday, making up a contest between two relegated sides. The players will hope to give the fans something to cheer about on their last road trip of the season.
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Chislett, Kudyiwa, Hyman, Tucker; Thompson, Agun; Reilly (McDonald 69), Lovatt, Kamara (Janssen 69); Collins (Myers 45)
Lovatt When A Plan Comes Together
Lovatt 45
Pitching in the Isthmian Premier League
Saturday 1 April 2023
Attendance 142
Match Report by Chris Randall
It was a good day for Corinthian-Casuals as they made it two wins from two away at Potters Bar, grabbing a hard-fought 1-0 victory on a chilly afternoon in Hertfordshire.
Brian Adamson’s second game in charge proved to be a further showcase of promising potential, as Corinthian-Casuals fight bravely against the looming prospect of relegation. Opting for only a singular change, Adamson was clearly confident in those who produced last week’s remarkable result, as Mack Reilly replaced newcomer Yann Janssen up top.
Casuals started strong from kick-off, soon attacking deep into the Potters Bar half, with Reilly seeing a looping shot drop just over the bar within the first 60 seconds of play. As soon as the teams had arrived, there was immediate recognition that play was going to be largely direct, identifying the somewhat soggy conditions as a potential compromise to usual tactics.
Opening blows were soon returned by the home side though, who had a quick succession of chances as the flow of the game began to build. The Scholars’ No2, Finlay Titchmarsh, was the source of such opportunities, having a shot assertively blocked by Malakai Hyman to win a corner, before taking on a second long-range effort which skimmed just wide of the post and out for a goal kick.
The game was quick to flip though, and Casuals were soon to capitalise on a poor free-kick, as a header-turned-through-ball created a surprise one-on-one for Reilly, who forced an outstanding save from the outstretched goalkeeper. The ball still loose, Casuals No11, Lesley Duru, was the quickest to react, only to have his attempt collected in a diffusal of a promising attack.
Soon Casuals were in again as Ricardo Thompson’s clearance was misjudged in difficult conditions by the Potters Bar centre-half, leaving Duru to round the keeper, only for his shot to bulge the side netting of the goal.
A clear battle was developing between the two sides who had been evened out by the treacherous conditions, creating a game which could easily fall either way.
The Casuals dominance continued deep into the first half, with Duru having another attempt denied by the Potters Bar keeper Louis Chadwick after some quick-witted link up play in the opposition box. This was followed by several dangerous corners and crosses which troubled the hosts’ defence, who despite a number of scrappy clearances, survived the onslaught.
Perhaps the best chance of the half for Potters Bar came in the 41st minute as the sides levelled up. A fast-paced passing move took multiple Casuals players out of the picture, dissecting their organised defensive shape and eventually drawing a spectacular save from Callum Coulter as he tipped the flying effort over the bar and away for a corner.
Even that couldn’t match up to the final chance of the half, though. A brilliant run from Finlay Lovatt, beginning on the right wing and cutting inside posed a real threat to the Potters Bar defence, who soon found themselves opened up, and with a clear shot on goal, Casuals’ No8 found the top-left corner and directed the ball past the fingertips of the goalkeeper to put the visitors 1-0 up on the stroke of the half.
As the whistle was blown at the 45 minute mark, an action packed half made it difficult to decipher quite what would be discussed in the changing rooms of the respective teams, but it was obvious that the game remained well within reach of both sides.
Potters Bar started the second half much faster than the slightly complacent Casuals side, immediately entering a dangerous area with a twisting run into the box which, unfortunately for the home side, ran a little too far and out for a goal kick.
Casuals didn’t disappear though, and 11 minutes into the second half Lovatt found himself through on goal once again, following an inch-perfect pass from the ever-sharp Sahid Kamara. One on one with the keeper, Lovatt was faced with a clear opportunity for a landmark double in Corinthian-Casuals’ white and navy strip, before he was brought down by a chasing Potters Bar defender and awarded a penalty. After some heated protests from the hosts, Reilly stepped up to take the spot-kick but was unable to convert as his effort was palmed away by the goalkeeper in the bottom right-hand corner.
This seemingly alerted the North London side, and the onslaught of crosses and corners began as Casuals attempted to absorb the ever-increasing pressure as they held onto a slim 1-0 lead.
The highlight of these efforts came just shy of 15 minutes from the end, with a scramble inside and around the box leading to multiple shots being blocked and eventually dealt with by the sturdy Casuals defence, determined to secure another clean sheet under Adamson’s leadership.
A relentless Potters Bar side pressed until the final moments of injury time, with a 92nd minute corner causing problems for the tiring away team’s resistance. After several bobbles in the box, the ball was eventually clipped away by the adrenaline-fueled defensive line, marking the end to a remarkable showing of real grit and fight on the road.
The end-to-end fixture had produced a well-deserved win for Corinthian-Casuals who remain in a tough 21st place as a consequence of other results around them, but do draw closer to a glimmer of safety. Many Potters Bar fans may feel they deserved a share of the points on a cold and wet afternoon on the outskirts of London, particularly after such a dominant second-half performance.
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter, Chislett, Kudyiwa, Hyman, Tucker; McAuley (Lahan 64’), Thompson; Kamara (Janssen 76’), Lovatt, Duru; Reilly
Late, Late Show from Casuals
Corinthian-Casuals 1-0 Wingate and Finchley
Hyman 90
Pitching in Isthmian Premier League
Saturday 25 March 2023
Attendance 238
Match Report by James Streatfield
Photo by Stuart Tree
It was late jubilation for Corinthian-Casuals as they ended a long run without a win, earning a well-deserved 1-0 win over Wingate and Finchley on Saturday.
Brian Adamson took charge of his first game as interim manager of Casuals, a week on from the club parting ways with Justin Fevrier. Adamson called on experience for the fixture, bringing in club captain Jack Tucker, who undoubtedly gave Casuals a boost. In addition, the returning Jordan Clarke made his second debut for the club, while new boy Yann Janssen was involved, making a first start.
Casuals were up against two forces in the first half: the Wingate and Finchley attack and the torrid conditions. Playing against the wind in the first 45 made it difficult to build momentum but the home side didn’t let that affect them too much.
The opening exchanges were cagey, but Casuals fashioned their first chance when Olarinde Williams gave away a free-kick after a high challenge on Lesley Duru. Kamara flashed a teasing ball across the visitors’ notably high line but no one in a chocolate-and-pink shirt could get on the end of it.
As the clear signs of a battle between two sides in desperate need of points continued, Wingate and Finchley’s full-backs combined to create a chance for Ben Siggers, who couldn’t keep his header on target.
At the other end, Clarke looked lively on his Casuals return, picking up the ball in pockets of space between the lines and running at the Wingate and Finchley back line. Janssen was also effective in holding up the ball for runners such as Duru, who looked dangerous.
Casuals were presented with their next chance when a defensive header fell to Finlay Lovatt, whose shot from distance flew past the right post. Lovatt came close again with the best opportunity of the half when he met Zack Chislett’s pin-point cross with his head, only for Ben Goode to tip the ball round the post with an outstretched glove. A miraculous save amidst Casuals’ pressure.
Wingate’s first real chance fell to Antonios Vasiliou just before the break, played through on goal before Callum Coulter rushed out to thwart the attacker.
Neither side posed too much of a threat in the early stages of the second half, although the visitors did carve out an opportunity when a goalmouth scramble ended in Raynel Hercules’ square ball finding its way to Vasiliou, whose improvised effort ended up in the grateful grasp of Coulter.
However, nothing less than a win would do if Casuals were to keep their season alive. Clarke made way for Pinney on the hour in an attempt from Adamson to add some attacking firepower. But Casuals would have to weather a Wingate storm for the next period of the game. Siggers’ cross from the left found Vasiliou whose shot was straight at Coulter.
Tucker’s return lasted 70 minutes as he was replaced by Sean Agun, coming on to make his Casuals debut. Tucker was a credit to the defence on the day, delivering a true captain’s performance.
But the game was still up for the grabs, with both sides determined to take all three points. Wingate and Finchley had the ball in the net late on, but the linesman flagged for offside. A warning sign for Casuals who were forced to dig deep again when Coulter was called into action to deny Dylan Kearney’s header with a miraculous stop to keep the scores level.
Then, just as it looked like Casuals would be held, Kamara delivered a last-minute free kick into a dangerous area, and Pinney’s flick fell to Malakai Hyman. The centre-back couldn’t miss, tapping the ball home at the back post to give the hosts the lead with only stoppage time remaining.
Yet Casuals fans, so jubilant when Hyman found the net, had their hearts in their mouths moments later when a goalmouth scramble in their own six-yard box was eventually scooped away by Coulter. The Casuals keeper was key to the win, making multiple saves to keep his side in the game.
In the end, it was a well-earned three points for Casuals, priceless in the fight for survival. They will take confidence from their performance and will hopefully carry this spirit into their next fixture, away to Potters Bar Town next Saturday.
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Chislett, Kudyiwa, Hyman, Tucker (Agun 68); Lovatt, McAuley; Clarke (Thompson 60), Kamara, Duru; Janssen (Pinney 61)
A Tough Afternoon
Da Costa 8
Cass 32 (pen)
Coker 69
Saturday 18 March 2023
The Pitching In Isthmian Premier Division
Attendance: 207
Match Report by Finlay Stubbs
Photo by Katja Hillebrandt
Corinthian-Casuals fell to a disappointing 3-0 home defeat to play-off chasing Enfield Town in a match that turned out to be Justin Fevrier’s last game in charge of the club.
Despite the persistent rain prior to kick-off, the two teams walked out to bright sunshine, with Casuals looking to bounce back from the 4-1 defeat to local rivals Carshalton Athletic last time out.
The visitors dominated the opening stages and took the lead after eight minutes. Mo Kamara won the ball in midfield and his shot from long range was excellently tipped onto the bar by Callum Coulter, but Khale Da Costa was the quickest to react, tapping in from close range to put his side ahead.
Enfield continued to dominate proceedings for a spell after the opening goal, using their physical presence to control possession and deliver crosses into the Casuals area, but the hosts then started to adapt to the heavy pitch caused by the pre-match downpour, with Sahid Kamara testing the Enfield defence with his trickery. Casuals then had a good opportunity to equalise when Finlay Lovatt and Nathaniel Pinney combined in the Enfield penalty area, before Joe Halsey placed his effort just wide.
Halsey was involved in the action again soon afterwards, playing in a more advanced position, as he was brought down inside the area, but the referee waved play on. Up the other end, however, Enfield Town were awarded a penalty when Jake Cass was brought down by Coulter, giving the visitors an opportunity to double their lead. Cass stepped up and emphatically converted, hammering his attempt down the middle.
The hosts did have a chance to pull one back before half-time, but Shaun McAuley placed his effort just wide.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with Enfield able to adapt to conditions by enforcing strong tackles in midfield and looking to attack in wide areas, with the lively Da Costa cutting inside and curling his effort just past the far post. Casuals began to grow into the half, creating several half chances, including Lovatt looping his effort just wide after showing determination to get forward beyond his man.
Coulter was then called into action again, denying substitute Andre Coker one on one after he was played through by Cass. The pair combined again, and this time grabbed their side’s third with Coker delicately chipping his effort over Coulter to seal the three points for Enfield and deepen the woes of the Casuals players.
Midway through the second half, Jack Tucker came off the bench for his first appearance after months on the sidelines through injury. The club captain was greeted onto the pitch with warm applause by the Casuals faithful, who have missed watching his tenacity at full-back for the majority of the season.
Overall, though, it was a difficult afternoon for Casuals, against a clinical Enfield side who showed why they are in the hunt for promotion.
After the game, the club parted ways with manager Justin Fevrier. There was a very sombre mood around the ground, with the squad forming a huddle in the middle of the pitch at the full-time whistle. It was a sign of togetherness among the group in the most difficult period, and it filtered out into appreciation towards the supporters for their following on a tough afternoon for the club.
Brian Adamson has been appointed interim manager for the second time this season, and his first game back in charge will be next Saturday as Casuals host Wingate and Finchley.
Corinthian-Casuals: Coulter; Kudyiwa, Orlu, Hyman Duru; McAuley, Halsey; Kamara, Lovatt, Yeboah; Pinney (Tucker 66)