Unhappy New Year For Casuals
- Cameron Smith
- Jan 9, 2017
- 3 min read
Corinthian Casuals’ first home fixture of 2017 was one to forget as the clinical Lewes left Tolworth with a 2-0 win and three points on a bitter Saturday afternoon.
Following on from the lacklustre display at Tooting & Mitcham last week, Casuals looked to secure their place in the play-offs with a victory over Lewes, who were hovering just outside the top five. The Rooks, who are based in East Sussex, succumbed to a disheartening 2-1 loss to Horsham last week. Previously gathering points from Tooting and Cray Wanderers, Lewes have been a consistent side this season thanks to midfielder and top scorer Jamie Brotherton, who has been delivering the all-important goals.
Vocal, Lewes’ starting XI were superior from the off, with possession and opportunities edging in the visitors’ favour. In only the seventh minute, the dominance was satisfied by the opening goal. Charlie Coppola’s space in the area allowed him to simply dispatch a low cross from the by-line as the travelling Lewes fans celebrated. The dangerous Jamie Brotherton engaged in a 50/50 challenge with solid Danny Dudley minutes later, which resulted in the Lewes player screaming in pain after Dudley left his studs up. The Casuals centre-back received a yellow card. Brotherton was stretchered off with the help of Corinth fan favourite and substitute Jamie Byatt, who helped carry the Lewes player to the sidelines.
Stephen Okoh, the replacement for Brotherton, superbly doubled the away side’s lead in the fifteenth minute. With the defence out of position, Okoh moved to the edge of the area where he unleashed a superb curling effort into the top corner; leaving Danny Bracken for dead. Lewes were 2-0 up versus the complacent Casuals.
Approaching half-time, Corinth had improved their game with two outstanding saves from Lewes’ terrific no.1 Adria Munoz Fernandez. Lobbing the ball back into the busy area, Uzun nearly gave Casuals a lifeline with a pinpoint assist for Dudley, who headed the ball back for Okojie at the back post. ‘Super Shaun’ was unable to convert as the heroic reflexes of Fernandez denied the striker. During stoppage time, it wasn’t Fernandez who saved Lewes- it was the woodwork. Oldham’s darting drive into the area saw the winger cross for Uzun, who deftly targeted the ball onto the post. Brilliant play from Corinth was not rewarded with the essential goal as half-time began.
A quiet start to the second-half, Corinth were unable to break the well organised back four of Lewes. Opportunities on goal were a rarity. In the 65th minute (following a spell of predominant Casuals set-pieces), a corner was nodded towards goal by Terry Murray but the fantastic looping header was parried away by the gloves of Lewes ace Fernandez. Disbelief echoed around the ground.
The visitors populated the edge of Corinth’s box whilst searching for the third but their sustained pressure resulted in a drought. Byatt switched his temporary ‘physio’ duties for his usual footballing job late on and nearly nicked the consolation goal Casuals had been aiming for all afternoon. His powerful volley flashed just wide of the post in the 80th minute. Danny Bracken dived to save a low shot from a Lewes counter attack in the dying minutes before three blows on the referee’s whistle concluded events.
The disappointing 2-0 loss was drowned out by the Casuals contingent, who sang until every player exited the field. With Hythe Town losing 3-0 and Carshalton drawing, Casuals were able to maintain their play-off position for another week. A midweek clash versus Molesey at home is next on the cards for James Bracken’s pink and brown army.
Photo credit: Paul Downs