Playoffs In Sight For On Fire Casuals
- Cameron Smith
- Apr 11, 2017
- 3 min read
A spirited Corinthian-Casuals side fought off the valiant charge of promotion rivals Lewes thanks to Shaun Okojie’s slick brace during a tetchy encounter to virtually seal a play-off spot- James Bracken’s army now only need a single point!
The first 34 minutes was a scrappy spectacle with possession constantly changing from the organised Lewes to the dangerous Corinth. The visitors were dangerous on the attack, especially from the left flank when Jordan Clarke and Dave Hodges re-ignited their partnership on the wing, causing the Rooks to tighten up at the back. Clarke’s acceleration whilst cutting in resulted in chaos- the forward had an effort from just outside the area that kept keeper Chris Winterton on his toes. Failing to turn odd moves into goals, Lewes were given a reality check when Clarke hooked the ball towards the six yard box. A combination of black and white shirts all jumped in attempt to attack the ball, but it was Casuals’ Mu Maan who leapt the highest to nod the ball into the net. Celebrations erupted behind the goal as the terrific travelling support were ecstatic. It was Maan’s second of the season.
Lewes did manage to wake up and somehow didn’t convert a low cross that was inches away from the boot of a Rook. The hosts’ vocal boss was fuming with the referee’s decision to book two Lewes players inside the first 45. As the referee blew his whistle thrice, Casuals walked up the steep stairs of the Dripping Pan, which lead to their dressing room. It was half-time and Corinth were 1-0 up.
1-0 is a dangerous score, especially when you’re away from home. That’s the reason why the Casuals fans, who were facing the roasting sunshine, erupted in a mixture of relief and glee when the score-line was altered by the trustworthy no.9 Shaun Okojie. Solid midfielder Coskun Eskim had been replaced by striker Reyon Dillon as Bracken tampered with the formation. The Rooks made a poor decision at a set-piece when they piled on the players in Casuals’ penalty area, leaving their own area exposed. Tricky Dillon controlled the ball on the half-way line and sublimely picked out Super Shaun, who controlled the pinpoint pass before slamming the ball into the bottom right corner. It didn’t just fly straight in as keeper Winterton had his head in his hands- Lewes’ no.1 got a glove to the ball but Okojie’s strike was too powerful. Corinth had breathing space.
Three minutes after Okojie’s finish, Lewes restored hope via substitute Ronnie Conlon, who composed himself before running onto the loose ball and neatly dispatching. Nerves returned to the Casuals end, but it didn’t stop them from singing their hearts out. Danny Dudley was man of the moment in the 80th minute as the centre-back magnificently cleared the ball off the line to somehow deny Lewes. It willed the players on as Dillon continued to terrorize the full-backs, Dudley and Strange continued to clear their lines and Shaun Okojie continued… scoring. Another counter attacking move was highly effective; Okojie found himself clean though on goal in the final minutes and deftly lifted the ball over the keeper. Only one word is fitting of the celebrations that ensued. Scenes.
Lewes showed tremendous fighting spirit and ability to convert opportunities moments later as an unpredictable free-kick evaded a Casuals head and was flicked on by no.9 Jonte Smith. It bounced past Bracken and the score was now 3-2.
Full-time came and past with Casuals players and supporters congratulating and thanking each-other- it was the definition of the Corinthian spirit. James Bracken was delighted as he hailed the travelling fans. Everyone realised that a place in the play-offs was very likely. All they need now is a single point in the last three fixtures and a play-off spot was secure.
Stuart Tree spoke to the delighted yet reserved James Bracken after the game:
“We thoroughly deserved to win that today.”
“I can’t speak highly enough of our lads in their performance and their spirit.”
“We were the better side by far for big periods of the game. But we ran ourselves into the floor winning it the hard way.”
“The referee done alright this afternoon and I’m not here to criticise him. In the first half, he gave decisions based on what he saw. Okay, he got a couple of decisions wrong for both sides but done his best.”
“I want to pay credit to our supporters today. They were absolutely fantastic. That support deserves football way beyond this league. “
“If we were to earn promotion without a budget when everyone says it’s impossible – you can’t buy that.”
Phot credit: Stuart Tree