Christmas Cheer In Front Of Bumper Crowd At Casuals
- Cameron Smith
- Dec 19, 2016
- 3 min read
Corinthian Casuals leapt to third place in Ryman Division One South following an incredible performance versus fellow promotion-hunters Greenwich Borough in which goals from Shaun Okojie and Danny Dudley secured three crucial points- the perfect Christmas present!
Fifth in the league, Corinthians had the chance to better their current position in the league with a victory against Greenwich Borough, who were in third place. Three points from Greenwich and a Carshalton loss would deliver Casuals the ideal gift- third place.
A notable name on the away side’s team-sheet was Billy Dunn, a seasoned attacker who has represented the likes of Tooting, Horsham and Carshalton. With a merry atmosphere (created by the Christmas Fayre at King George’s) the hearty 412 spectators flocked to their positions; the game commenced.
The first eighteen minutes were fascinating and set the tone for the rest of the game. As predicted, it was high-tempo from the off with Danny Bracken called into action in the seventh minute; parrying a close range effort with his legs. Corinthians also threatened the pink shirt of Craig Holloway- Greenwich’s keeper. Danny Dudley’s header was swallowed easily by Holloway before another Casuals set-piece was collected. In the eighteenth minute, a Casuals attack was quickly thwarted by the strong back four of Greenwich before the midfield re-generated another opportunity. Greenwich’s no.14 attempted to distribute the ball to the keeper with a routine back-pass but it was severely misplaced as Juevan Spencer superbly intercepted. Simply squaring the ball for the predator in the centre, Spencer’s awareness and Greenwich’s capitulation resulted in Shaun Okojie’s eighteenth of the season. Casuals drew first blood in the vital encounter that could shape the campaign for either side.
Greenwich’s Glenn Wilson agonisingly missed from only a few yards after an adventurous winger delivered a pin-point cross as the Cannons failed to equalise despite overwhelming possession. At half-time, James Bracken’s side’s composure and attacking edge awarded them with a 1-0 advantage.
Looking to solidify the scoreline, Casuals’ team-talk certainly worked as four minutes into the latter 45, they met their aim. Delivering a beautiful cross, Mahrez Bettache enabled Danny Dudley to head the ball towards goal, the looping header beat the keeper and found the back of the net. Practically joining the terrace in celebrations, Dudley and his merry men changed the score-line, two goals to nil. Casuals had around forty minutes to hang on.
An incredible save from Danny Bracken denied Wilson from a consolation goal as a darting cross ensued heroic reflexes from the no.1. Disbelief from both the terraces and the pitch as the cool Bracken punched the air in celebration. Time ticking, the game’s tempo took a turn for the worse with possession over-ruling chances. Clarke, who impressed during the Merstham’s clash, sprinted through on goal and nearly ended the game completely, if it were not for the defender breathing down his back, a major distraction. Clarke’s slight touch dribbled wide as cries for a penalty were waved away. Casuals nicked all three points as the referee blew thrice for full-time.
A remarkably comfortable victory that trumps any other performance this season, Casuals had defeated a strong Greenwich side. News from Sutton was that ten-man Carshalton Athletic had lost 3-0 to Hythe Town prompting Casuals move into third! Corinthians march onto a midweek clash versus AFC Wimbledon at home in the Cup before a knockout Boxing Day fixture against Walton Casuals.
Stuart Tree spoke to James Bracken after the match:
“Seven wins in a row is nice. We did seven in a row at the end of last season and carried it over to the start of this season to make it ten on the bounce. Maybe that can be the next little target to aim for.”
“It's a big win today. Whether it'll prove to be the biggest win of the season, I don't know but when we're playing these sides up and around us at the minute, they're six pointers. It's very unusual for us to be saying that before Christmas but they really are invaluable wins.”
“Results went our way today and we've closed the gap on the leaders with games in hand.”
“Let's see where we are after this spell and see if we're top or still in contention for playoffs. At the minute, with the way we're playing, we can get the top spot.”
Photo credit: Stuart Tree