Masterful Merstham Crush Casuals' Cup Hopes
- Cameron Smith
- Dec 15, 2016
- 3 min read
A marvellous Merstham dispatched five goals past valiant Corinthian Casuals on a deflating Tuesday evening where James Bracken’s youthful side exited the Alan Turvey Trophy at the quarter-finals.
Returning from The Battle Of Hastings victorious, Casuals secured their place in the playoffs with a momentous 4-3 win. King George’s Field was occupied once more on a mild Tuesday night. This time, it was a more authoritative opposition, Merstham FC, who were mid-table in the Ryman Premier Division. Progressing into the third round via Leatherhead, the Moatsiders have had a mixed season as they struggled to balance their league targets with FA Cup dreams. Airing live on BT Sport, Merstham faced Oxford United in the Emirates FA Cup in November as a new club landmark was reached. After the historic fixture (in which Merstham succumbed to a 5-0 loss), they found themselves in seventeenth place in the league.
An experimental starting XI was fielded by James Bracken to face the powerful force of Merstham. The exclusion of no.1 Danny Bracken dominated talk around the ground as youngster Louis Dixon made his first appearance for Casuals. Besides adding Jack Strange ahead of Terry Murray at the back, two debutants made their first starts in chocolate and pink: Jasper Harlington and Callum McAllister playing in the centre of the park. Obviously looking ahead to the crucial league game versus Greenwich Borough on Saturday, Bracken named Murray and Gallagher on the bench.
A vocal Merstham were physically involved from the off. Dealing with the tricky Jordan Clarke, the away side’s red shirts swarmed towards any hint of danger created by Casuals. The rapid trio of Merstham provided an opening goal after eleven minutes. Xavier Vidal, who has represented Welling and Dulwich Hamlet during his short but eventful career, converted from close range after terrific build-up.
It only took seven minutes for Casuals to reply. With remarkable speed that the Casuals contingent have grown accustomed to, Max Oldham was a blur as he beat multiple defenders before reaching the by-line. Goalkeeper rounded, Oldham attempted to square the ball towards the six yard box until it was met by the hands of defender Marc-Anthony Okoye, who pushed the ball away. Pointing to the spot, the referee decided to let the offender off with a bizarre warning as Clarke stepped up to take the spot-kick. Slotting past Phil Wilson, Clarke equalised with confidence.
Dictating the field, the visitors took a firm grip on the game thanks to Henriques, who sneakily edged away from his marker to head home and make it 2-1. Before Merstham’s second, Casuals had nearly scored via Oldham, who failed to connect from a cross. Fortunately for Casuals, the referee blew for half-time as both sides re-grouped. A potentially exciting second-half was let down by the lack of chances from both teams. Merstham gathered and distributed the ball brilliantly whilst Casuals blocked the ruthless visitors. This cycle caused a frustrating goal-less encounter as Corinthians grew desperate- Ben Cheklit hammering the ball just over the bar from around forty yards. A similar effort was replicated by the intrepid McAllister but this time, he fired into the roof of the net from thirty yards in spectacularly random fashion. Surprised at himself, the youngster deservedly celebrated as the game was levelled.
From jubilance to despair, Casuals were dealt with a devastating blow as two quick-fire goals from Merstham resulted in a 4-2 scoreline. Merstham’s Kershaney Samuels claimed the vital third as another corner troubled the hosts. A clearance from Casuals deflected off a team-mate for substitute Callum Willock to slot home. Then, Merstham added a fifth thanks to Dan Hector- the no.15 sliding the ball home after Dixon overly-committed following a dangerous, floating cross from the away side.
A fresh and exciting Casuals team left King George’s disappointed despite a plucky display whilst Merstham advanced into the semi-finals. We wish Merstham the best of luck in the next round. Focusing on the tough task of promotion-rivals Greenwich, James Bracken’s pink and brown army marched onto a vital league match.
Photo credit: Stuart Tree