Casuals Cruise Past Grinstead To Continue Playoff Chase
- Cameron Smith
- Feb 9, 2017
- 2 min read
Despite a cluster of missed chances in a ravenous second-half, Corinthian Casuals were able to cruise past East Grinstead Town with a deserved 2-0 scoreline to close the all-important play-off gap.
It took six minutes for Casuals to find their feet and take advantage of the inexperienced defence of East Grinstead. Congested, both sides were lacking width so when Dave Hodges determinedly sprinted down the left flank, a great opportunity was created. Denied by the foot of no.2 Malachi Robinson, Hodges had earned a corner kick for Casuals. Josh Uzun strolled to the corner and superbly aimed towards Danny Dudley in the centre. The centre-back stabbed the ball into the corner of the net; Casuals were 1-0 up.
Ten minutes later, Shaun Okojie, who has had an unusual three game drought, was searching for the second goal when he brilliantly powered past the physical Drew Cooney and flashed a great effort just wide of the post. Josh Uzun nearly assisted another goal as he curled a delicious cross for Okojie, who was positioned on the penalty spot, but the striker’s expertly placed header was cancelled out by Haigh’s remarkable reflexes. The visitors also threatened in the first 45 by Travis Gregory’s free-kick and an agonising Kwaiye header from a perfect corner. At halftime, it was deservedly still 1-0 to Casuals.
No changes, Bracken was eager to start the second-half brightly and Josh Uzun was there again to cause havoc in the Grinstead ranks. Sending a corner into the area for the predator, Uzun was close to grabbing his second assist however Okojie’s attempted header bounced off his shoulder and over the bar.
The despondent Okojie had another opportunity to write his name on the scoresheet in the 55th minute when the no.9 located himself in the box, ready to pounce on Uzun’s corner. Masterfully volleying the ball into the corner of Haigh’s net, Uzun had another assist and Okojie was back to scoring ways. Celebrations from goalscorer Super Shaun was a massive grin whilst the Casuals contingent punched the air jubilantly and sang the name of the striker.
East Grinstead’s Gregory was troubling the hosts’ defence again when a darting low shot was parried away by Danny Bracken, who used his cat-like reflexes to prevent a consolation goal. Vibrating the crossbar, Wasps’ substitute Dan Hogan used his first touch to rifle a terrific effort past Bracken. The remaining opportunities were by the pink and brown shirts. Ben Cheklit’s classy drive and substitute Mu Maan’s unlucky shot were the latest to be rebuffed by Haigh, who had been remarkable. Ending the ninety minutes with the score 2-0, James Bracken’s pink and brown army won three essential points for their promotion-hunting campaign. New signing Coskun Eskim had a defining performance in the middle of the park whilst Josh Uzun and Dave Hodges produced upset on the flanks. Man Of The Match was given to Ben Cheklit, who was tremendous on the wing.
A point behind fifth place and a game in hand, Corinthians are in a brilliant place to steal back a spot in the play-offs. A possible victory versus Chatham Town on Saturday before an arduous away journey to Guernsey next Wednesday leaves Corinth in a stable condition. Vai Corinthians!