Match Review: Casuals FC vs Swiss FC

• DF David Phelps
• DF Lee Scurr
• DF Frazer Young
• MD Will Patz
• ST Michael Blankson
• -- Ben Smith
• -- Harry Blakey
• -- Jake Taylor
• -- Tom Lees
• -- Patrick McMullen
• -- Dan Munns

• DF Mark Stead
• MD Sam Hallam
• -- Lee Dae Hee

Leaving it late.. again!

Casuals were greeted with the news during the week that Kaz has undergone surgery on his dislocated shoulder sustained in the Latini game and would be out for 8 months. Wishing Kaz all the best with his recovery. This was a game Kaz would have thrived in, using his speed to get up and down the wings. It was the lack of pace that caused both Swiss and Casuals to ease themselves into the game rather than explode. When Casuals did get the ball moving we created chances for Tom, Mikey and Ben who all had 1-on-1 opportunities to score. The ball either going over or saved well by the keeper. Just before the drinks break, a long ball forward by the Swiss right back landed at Scurry’s feet who got in a tangle and the ball found its way to the dangerous no.7 who slotted past a helpless Harry. For all the possession and chances Casuals were 1-0 down and it stayed that way until 15 mins into the second half when an almost identical situation, this time with Pat and his brand new special shoes tripped on the ball, leaving Scurry 2v1. The No.10 slotting the ball past Harry. 2-0 Swiss and Casuals couldn’t believe it. But to Casuals credit, we never gave up. Some fresh legs provided impetus, Sam and Daehee in particular causing big problems running forward with the ball. Steady came on, got stuck into their No.10 and then got injured. Phelpsy the Yorkshire Cafu on one of his 30 runs down the touchline whipped a sweet ball into the box, finding Daehee at the back post to knock in from 6 yards. Game on with 15 to go. The next goal came from Sam’s direct running, going between defenders he found himself through on goal but bought down cynically by the Swiss skipper on the edge of the box. With Munnsy and Jake fighting over the honours, the elder statesman gave way to youthful enthusiasm and for good reason. Jake smashed the ball into the top left bin despite the Swiss wall having 7 players in it. Another goal of the season contender to go with Will's 20 yard volley against SCC. 2-2 and only one team was likely to score again, with Swiss confidence draining away. The ref signaled 2 minutes left to play, so Casuals piled forward, some cynical fouls being committed by Swiss left Casuals with no option but to hit long freekicks forward. Steady's cry's of hit it deeper where duly met when Pat firmly hit this one, Steady drifting late at the back post, and having had missed an identical chance just minutes earlier, made no mistake this time to put the ball back across goal and into the back of the net. The otherwise excellent Swiss GK had no chance. 3-2 win for Casuals, not the best performance by this season, but sheer guts and determination got us the 3 points in the end. Thanks to Swiss for another competitive game, good luck for the rest of the season. MOM: Several contenders but Frazer edges it MOM Swiss: Goalkeeper for all the saves he made throughout

• Muhammad Fadhil DF
• Cyrill Binder DF
• Thomas Vacher MD
• Joel Terrades MD
• Joe Giani --
• Ntoudi Mouyelo-Katoula --
• Cedric Deschamps --
• Benjamin Bringuier --
• Dimitri Manser --
• Topher Stokkmo --
• Samir El Mard --

• Laurent Brutsch DF
• Takayasu Yamamoto --
• Gary Wong --
• Sebastien Monzel --

Undeserved

Heartbreak for the Swiss as we gave away the 3 points despite being 2-0 up until the 75th minute. We definitely wanted to build on last weeks win, and performance wise, we did that, at least until the 75th minute. Swiss took the lead through Joel after some nice play between new boy Sam and Cyrill. Just before the 70th min, a counterattack and Sam finished off a one v one situation. Ben with the assist. Casuals got one back, and after a free-kick equalised - we felt strongly that there was a clear hand ball in the build up. The 2-3 came from a direct free-kick, where the player actually moved the ball back a few steps after the ref set the wall. We asked for the ref to count the distance again so we can adjust our wall but no reaction.... I can recall at least a handful of games this season that we were in this position and felt, totally undeservedly with nothing to show for it. Nothing much more to add... SCC next week before a CNY break.