ARCHIVE: Corinthian-Casuals v Ashford Town. Ryman League Division 1 South. 2005-6 season.

Corinthian-Casuals   0       Ashford Town   1

from Your Milton Keynes Correspondent

All chance for valour has now gone. Whether or not we manage to scrape through this season without getting relegated, this will still go down as being an abysmal season. With seven games to go, we went into today’s game having collected just 27 points from 37 games (which equates to roughly 0.73 points per game). That’s actually worse than last year, which was previously the Club’s worst-ever season, when we finished with 36 points in a 42-game season (0.86 points per game), and escaped relegation to the Kent League by a single point.

The fact that we still have a chance of avoiding relegation this time around is really due to the fact that we’ve been very fortunate to have two other very poor teams in our division. If we were in any of the other three Step 4 divisions, then the situation would be very different. An average of 0.73 points per game in Unibond Division One or the Southern League West would have us second-bottom of both of those divisions, and would have us rock bottom of the Southern League East, which is where we were two seasons ago. In any of these three parallel divisions, relegation would have been virtually guaranteed weeks ago. In fact, with 0.73 points per game last season, we would have finished below Dorking, and would be playing Kent League football this season.

So today was very much about getting the job done, and grabbing some points, to see if we can avoid the drop and then regroup in time for next season’s campaign.

This sense of focus was heightened by the fact that today’s opponents presented us with a real opportunity of getting a result, with the prospect of three points being a huge prize at this stage of the season - all three clubs at the bottom of the table are finding points really hard to come by. Today we travelled to bottom club Corinthian-Casuals, who had scored only two goals in their previous nine matches, and had won only once since the 3^rd of December. That solitary win was in February, against Whyteleafe, and it was Whyteleafe that Casuals beat back in December; to stretch the coincidence further, Whyteleafe, who effectively saved Ashford Town from the drop last season, when they beat Dorking on the last day, were today’s opponents of Newport (IoW), the third of the three stooges in this year’s relegation battle.

So artistic impression and aesthetics were out the window today – all that mattered was the three points, and, crucially, these were delivered with a hard-fought 0-1 victory. This wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t scintillating, but it must be said that Ashford never looked like letting Corinthians equalise, once Stuart Playford’s 24^th-minute goal had put them ahead.

If previous remarks in this report have been a little negative, then credit must be given to the way the lads performed today, in view of the number of changes that had been made since the previous game. With three new players having been signed almost on the stroke of yesterday’s 5pm transfer deadline, half of today’s starting line-up consisted of players who had been drafted in within the last fortnight; and, in fairness, there wasn’t a single occasion this afternoon when there was evidence of a lack of understanding or lack of familiarity among the players.

The most wholesale changes were at the back, with a very new-look defensive five. This was largely because of injuries, with Dave Wietecha, Tommy Adlington and Peter Mortley all in the audience today. (Dave’s shoulder, which he injured in the opening minutes of last Saturday’s 0-7 home defeat, is still troubling him, although he’ll be fit again before the season’s out; Tommy’s had the stitches removed from his gashed foot, but is being advised not to risk it on active duty just yet; I didn’t ask Peter about his groin, as it’s not the sort of thing you talk about in polite company). Also missing from the defence were Ian Ross, who started on the bench, nursing a slightly dodgy hamstring, and Marc Cumberbatch, who started in central midfield.

Today’s back five were (and concentrate now) Simon Overland in goal, Jamie Smith at right-back, Dan Tanner at left-back and Stuart Playford and Barry Crawford in central defence. Overland was one of yesterday’s last-minute signings, and comes to us from Dagenham & Redbridge, where he’s been understudying for Daggers’ ex-Welsh international Tony Roberts. He hardly had a save to make today, so it’s difficult to make judgments, but his kicking and general handling looked very sound, and it’s not difficult to see why he’s highly rated. He should do a good job whilst our first-choice ‘keeper is injured. Making his 13^th appearance for Ashford, Jamie Smith was easily the most experienced in an Ashford first team shirt, of the five, and had his usual solid game. Barry Crawford, who was again impressive, was playing in his third game for the First XI, Dan Tanner had just had the two minutes against Tooting and Stuart Playford was making his first outfield appearance of his second spell at Ashford, having come on as an emergency goalkeeper, only to concede goals 5, 6 and 7, in the previous game. It’s probably a measure of the respect that Stuart commands in the non-league game that he was given the captain’s armband for this afternoon’s game. (He was also Club Captain during his previous spell at Ashford, in spite of the fact that he was only with us for a few months). The defence looked solid today, both as individuals and as a unit, but I should point out that they were up against poor and toothless opposition.

Gary Clarke retained his place in central midfield, alongside Marc Cumberbatch, who was playing in his fourth different position for Ashford this season, with RJ Boorman relegated to the bench. Kenny Jarrett-Elliott was on the left side of midfield, and the fact that he held onto his place, with so many quality new players being brought in, and the fact that this was by no means a laughable selection by The Management, is testament to how much Kenny’s game has come on over the past few weeks. On the other side of midfield was Danny Simmonds, a recent signing from Hastings, and he looked to be the best of the new recruits. Whilst the lads in the centre of the park played an important role with their ball-winning and their tackling, it was Simmonds who really ran the show, and he looks a quality addition to the squad. He looks to have everything that you could ask of a midfield player at this level, including the ability to feed decisive and accurate balls through to the strikers, and he was the clear choice of Man of the Match this afternoon.

Another good acquisition appears to be Richard Sinden, who comes to us from Hythe Town, where he’s scored 23 goals in 32 appearances in the Kent League this season. (A goal scorer !  Halleluyah !!). He doesn’t give us a lot more height – as he’s another short-arse, who’s not much bigger than Joby Thorogood or Tommy Adlington. What he does have, though, is pace, and good close control; he also seems to know his job well, having a good feel for when to hold the ball up, when to lay it off, when to run into space, and is probably quite adept at sticking it in the back of the net. He’s a very similar player to Joby – probably the type of player that we all hope that Joby will become, once he’s a little more experience on his back. (The final member of the transfer deadline draft – Shaun Loft, a tall striker, also from Hastings – is currently on the injury list, so wasn’t present today).

Joining RJ Boorman and Ian Ross on the subs’ bench were striker Noddy Penfold (who was sent off whilst playing for the Reserves on Wednesday), Joffy Thorogood and Ressies ‘keeper James Colman.

Today’s weather and under-foot conditions had quite a bearing on the match. In fact, the game only went ahead after a pitch inspection at King George’s Fields at about 11am this morning, and, with neither side permitted to warm up on the playing surface before kick-off, the game started on a damp and muddy pitch. This was never going to suit the Brazilian-style passing game of either side. Of course, the surface was always going to deteriorate throughout the game, and this was guaranteed when the heavens opened at 2.59pm precisely.

With the rain being allied to a stiff spring breeze, we were grateful for the fact that the ground has a stand, with a corrugated roof, covering seating for most of the length of one side of the pitch. There is nothing pretentious about this accommodation – the seating is only about four rows deep, and it’s exceptionally close to the pitch. I was actually a little surprised that the ground wasn’t a little bit grander, considering that Corinthian-Casuals FC (a union between The Corinthians and The Casuals) is such a famous old amateur club. Squeezed between the A3 and the railway line (it’s a bugger to find !), the capacity is only about 2,500, and, apart from that narrow, corrugated iron-roofed stand on one side, the only other shelter is provided by similar coverings over standing supporters behind each goal. Speaking of supporters, there were about a dozen Ashford Town fans behind the goal that our boys were attacking today – hardly a multitude, admittedly, but, when we’re used to seeing just two or three of them, it’s worth mentioning. Crowds here normally hover around the 100 mark, and today’s attendance of 132 was the third highest home gate of the season.

The early downpour lasted for about 15 minutes, during which time there was little football played, and after that the weather remained dry. Ashford played into the strong breeze during the first half, wearing their lime green and navy blue home strip, which clashed nicely with the Casuals’ pink & chocolate halved shirts and light blue shorts and sockies. Anyone not there today will need sunglasses to imagine the scene, but I think that the chocolate & pink colour scheme (make up your own dirty jokes), and the genuinely amateur spirit surrounding our hosts, are absolutely brilliant.

Early(ish) opportunities for both sides included a corner for Corinthians, in the 12^th minute, which Danny Stassinos scuffed wastefully behind for a goal-kick, and a free-kick to Ashford, in the 14^th minute, which Danny Simmonds floated long, to the far post, and which ‘keeper Gareth Williams collected comfortably.

The first constructive move of the match came from the visitors, in the 16^th minute, and this was sparked off by Danny Simmonds breaking through a tackle in the centre of the pitch. He squared the ball to Marc Cumberbatch, who fed the ball wide on the left, to Kenny Jarrett-Elliott; Kenny’s attempted cross was blocked, and the ball went behind for a corner. As with the majority of the dead-ball kicks, the corner was taken by Simmonds, but his cross was headed clear.

It was not difficult to spot Corinthian-Casuals’ best player (in fact the only one who stood out at all) – by coincidence, this was also a Simmons, Mark Simmons, who also wore the No.8 shirt. He looked to be the one man who might engineer a way through the Ashford defence, but most of his best work was in areas where he was unlikely to do too much damage. In the 17^th minute, however, he tried a speculative shot from outside the area, and this bounced awkwardly in front of Simon Overland; the ball rebounded off Simon’s chest, but an Ashford defender was there to whip the ball away to safety.

In the 20^th minute, a foul on Richard Sinden gave Ashford a free-kick, mid-way inside the Casuals’ half. This time it was Jarrett-Elliott who took the kick. Again, the strategy was to curl the ball long and high towards the far post, but Gareth Williams again had no problem in making the catch.

Williams was, however, given no chance with the Ashford goal, when his defence left him badly exposed, in the 24^th minute. This started with what looked to be a miscued cross from Kenny Three Names, from the left; the ball appeared to be dropping just under the Casuals’ bar, at the far post, and Williams had to tip it over for a corner. Kenny came across to take the corner, on the right, and his cross was met by an unmarked Stuart Playford, who headed firmly in, from about six yards out. That was the all-important break-through, and, quite honestly, I’m not really interested in conducting an inquest into the opposition’s marking.

Two minutes later, there was half a chance for a second goal. A well-judged pass from midfield from Marc Cumberbatch put Richard Sinden in, through the inside-right channel. His pace ensured that he got there in front of the defender – “You SHALL get to the ball, Sinders !” – and his chip over the ‘keeper, from an acute angle, just clipped the top of the bar.

Attacking situations for the home team in the first half were few and far between, and none of these really threatened to bring about an equaliser. A free-kick in the 31^st minute, which was rather harshly awarded against Jamie Smith for a foul on Billy Jackson, was crossed in by Mark Simmons, but this was comfortably taken by Simon Overland. Danny Stassinos pulled a shot tamely wide, from outside the area, three minutes later. Then, in the 40^th minute, a Jamie Smith clearance fell at the feet of the home side’s Simmons, but the midfielder’s curling shot went wide of the angle of post and bar, with Simon Overland not too concerned.

Ashford were forced into making their one and only substitution just before half-time. Both Kenny J-E and Richard Sinden went down, independently it seemed, in the 41^st minute. Although Sinders initially seemed to be the most seriously hurt, it was Kenny who limped off, to be replaced by Ian Ross on the left of midfield. Whilst this was an unplanned change, it almost resulted in what would have been the killer goal, on the stroke of half-time. Danny Simmonds put Richard Sinden through, down the right, with a nicely weighted pass. Again, the new boy’s pace was in evidence as he managed to get the ball across, from close to the by-line. The ball went all the way through to Ian Ross, whose shot from about twelve yards out went high and wide. This was a shame, as it would have been a hugely popular goal. There might have been an interesting debate as to whether this was a sitter fluffed, or a cruel bobble for a cultured left foot – but, strangely, the incident never got a mention in the bar afterwards.

Rossi had a few chances to make amends, early in the second half. Four minutes after the break, he seemed to slice an attempted cross, from the left, and Gareth Williams had to be alert to catch the ball just under his crossbar. Then in the 53^rd minute, his speculative, long-range shot, when nothing seemed on, was deflected for a corner, on the left. Danny Simmonds floated the cross long, but it was headed behind by the home defence. Rossi went across to take the second corner, this time on the right. Dan Tanner got up well to meet his cross, and his powerful header brought the save of the match from Gareth Williams, but the referee’s whistle had already blown, as he had spotted Elsie climbing on a defender.

I think it was also Rossi who laid the ball off for Richard Sinden, on the hour mark, and Sinders’ immediate chipped cross into the penalty area found Danny Simmonds, running on into a good position, but his first-time shot was scuffed wide.

In spite of Corinthian-Casuals Manager Mickey Stephens ringing the changes – Chris Malik replaced Danny Jackson in the 65^th minute, and Jamie Hatfield went on for Danny Stassinos in the 72^nd – Ashford were comfortably able to hold the home side at arm’s length for the remainder of the game. The only real problem encountered was the yellow card count, which rose steadily as the second half progressed. After the referee – a late replacement for the advertised ref – had spent much of the game handing out lectures, he produced his first card of the match, in the 75^th minute, to Jamie Smith, for a foul on the far side. The cross from the resulting free-kick was well handled by Simon Overland.

In the 79^th minute, just as the anxious glances at the watch were starting, Danny Simmonds floated a free-kick into the Casuals’ area. This was met with an overhead kick by Joby Thorogood, which went just over the bar, but the John Cumberbatch look-alike on the far side was flagging, presumably for off-side. Two minutes, later, with Corinthians pushing forward, there was an Ashford break. Ian Ross immediately launched the ball forward, from deep in his own half, which set Joby Thorogood off on a run. The Hobbit made it into the home penalty area, but he had no support, and the chance petered out. (If there’s one side of Joby’s game that can be improved, apart from reducing the number of times he gets caught off-side, it’s his ability to dribble with both feet, as he looks a bit one-footed at times).

As full-time approached, there were gaps appearing at the back for Casuals, and there was hope for a decisive second Ashford goal. A corner won by Joby Thorogood, in the 83^rd minute, was taken by Rossi, on the right. This was curled right under the home ‘keeper’s bar, and resulted in a goal-line scramble. The goal-line scramble soon developed into a mass brawl, and it looked like someone might be in trouble. The result, however, was that Gary Clarke, who put in his usual fighting display (in more ways than one), and the Corinthians’ ‘keeper got a stern telling-off from the ref.

In the 89^th minute, there was a very similar incident. A lucky rebound presented Joby Thorogood with a half-chance, but his snap-shot curled just around the post; there was a slight deflection on the way, so a corner was awarded. The kick was floated long, to the far post, and Marc Cumberbatch did well to head the ball back into the goalmouth. There followed a brief session of head tennis, then a goal-line scramble, and then a goal-line brawl. I couldn’t see what happened, but the word after the game was that a head was kicked and a punch was thrown – and the result was a yellow card each for ‘keeper Gareth Williams, Richard Sinden and Gary Clarke.

Stuart Playford, who’s not unlike Matty Bower, but without the sun-tan, also managed to get himself booked, as late as the 92^nd minute, when he was forced into committing a foul, having been a little exposed for lack of pace.

After about three minutes of added time, the referee blew for full time, and, although we were comfortably holding Corinthians, the end of the game came as an enormous relief – it meant three points, and this is an enormous haul at this stage of the season. Importantly, Newport (IoW), whose five league wins this season have all come away from home, lost at home again – many thanks to Whyteleafe, yet again – which puts us four points ahead of the islanders, with a game in hand. The extra game probably isn’t the key issue, as this is effectively against Croydon Athletic on Tuesday, who probably won’t be giving much away – the crucial point is that, with us having a superior goal-difference, Newport now need to get at least five points from their remaining five games, even if we lose our last six. I reckon they might struggle to get these – I’d certainly estimate that three points from our last six games should see us safe.

Man of the Match

(to go towards the Milton Keynes Bowl)

Danny Simmonds