Corinthian Casuals

[shoutymark]

Go back far enough into history and you'll find that the Corinth isthmus (halfway between Athens and Sparta) was home to the ancient Isthmian Games - a contest of amateur athletic prowess held in the alternate year to the better known "Olympic" games.
Roll forward a few years, and the advent of office stationery suppliers in the Peleponese leads to a rebranding.
And so it comes to pass that in March 2016 the Corinthian Casuals (now located just off the Tolworth bypass) arrive in Faversham for a contest of Herculean proportion.

Enough of the history lesson. This weekend is about the present. And the future.

4 points separate us and the Casuals - which means that come 4.50pm it could be 1 point, or 7. Seven. A season defining 90 minutes? Probably not. There's a few too many games to come to make that claim. But significant nonetheless.

So who is ready? Who is in form? Who wants it most?
After Tuesday night's heroics in the cup, there can be no doubt that the whole team are - as a man - ready to step forward.
That Faversham team are prepared to put themselves on the line. To stand up for each other. To put team before self.

Which one of you is Spartacus?

I'm Spartacus!

I'm Spartacus!

I'm Spartacus!


COME ON YOU WHITES!

[dave]

Faversham Town 1-2 Corinthian-Casuals

Starting line up:

William Godmon,
Ryan Cooper, Jamie Maxted, Matthew Bourne, John Scarborough,
Josh Stanford, Daniel Carrington, Charley Robertson, Renford Tenyue,
Luke Harvey, Liam King.

So, what is it with us playing Corinthian-Casuals. Our bogey team par excellence.
Were we outplayed today by a better team on the day? Well, no. Corinthian-Casuals
defended well, worked hard and took their chances when they came, but, this game
was there for the winning. But throw in that bogey team factor, whatever it is that's
driving that, and we're on the wrong end of the result.

Decent start. Renford Tenyue does well down the left, beats his man and gets to the byline,
a low cross which takes the keeper out of the game, but nobody is able to get a touch on it-
but close. Josh Stanford's follow up effort is deflected for a corner. Again, Renford down the
left, deep cross to the back stick, Luke Harvey's header is wide of the same post. Charley
Robertson, right midfield, squares to Jamie Maxted in acres of space. Advances and unleashes
from distance, tipped over by the keeper. We concede a free-kick right on the 18 yard line,
(our) left side. William Godmon has the strike covered, diving to his left, out for a corner.
At the other end, Liam King is body-checked on the edge of the area. Their keeper gets everything
behind Charley Robertson's free-kick. 0-0 at H-T.

Second half, and not the start we needed. on 48, a misunderstanding at the back, Matthew Bourne
lets the ball passed him, but there's a forward in attendance, who latches on to it and loops
it over our stranded keeper. 0-1. No disguising it, a gift of a goal. In response, Renford Tenyue
finds Charley Roberston, into the path of Jamie Maxted's surge forward, the low drive is scrambled
away for a corner. And on 55, we're caught on the break, played to their left, a forward advances into the area
and slots it left to right into the far corner. Ryan Cooper tracking back just fails to make the
decisive block. 0-2. At the other end, Charley Robertson's flick releases Luke Harvey into the box.
The shot doesn't find the target. Another attack, and their coming in waves now, a defender seems to
dive on the ball. Handball just inside the area. Penalty, a lifeline? Charley Robertson's penalty
is well struck, but the keeper makes a really decent save at his left hand post. Damn him. Corner.
A double substitution, David Botterill and Kieron Cambell on for Renford Tenyue and Liam King.
And soon after, Jack Sellens on for Josh Stanford. With 10 to go, a Jamie Maxted drive into the
box wins us a corner. Keeper doesn't collect, Luke Harvey smashes the loose ball high into the
net. 1-2. Game on. The final 10, and we're chucking the proverbial kitchen sink at it in the face of frequent
injury delays. Kieron Cambell receives out left, weaves into the area, fantastic run, keeper saves
low at Kieron's feet. Corner. Time is against us. Ryan Cooper's long throw into the area, met by
Matthew Bourne's volley, decent strike, goalbound. Another great stop by their keeper.
And the referee's final whistle brings an end to our search for an equaliser. 1-2 at F-T.

Reasons to be cheerful:

a) we don't have to play Corinthian-Casuals again this season.
b) we booked ourselves a cup final appearance this week. Never said that before!!
c) play off stuff. Today, a dent in our hopes, yes, but we're still very much in this. Still game on. COYW.

Sponsor's MOM: Jamie Maxted

Massive, massive, game at Salters Lane next week. Chipstead visit. See you there.

[CJK]

Link to match video . . . youtu.be/hoiBVvJixMs