Match Review: Casuals FC vs Swiss FC

• DF Mark Stead
• DF Greg Ryan
• DF Lee Scurr
• MD Will Patz
• ST Kazuki Sato-Brennan
• -- Harry Blakey
• -- Ben Smith
• -- Paul Cowie
• -- Lee Burgess
• -- Jake Taylor
• -- Douglas Palmstedt

• MD Sam Hallam
• ST Andy Woodbridge
• -- Tom Lees
• -- Angus Buttar
• -- Lee Dae Hee

Huff and puff, and ran out of time...

Casuals lined up with a strong starting XI and strong, attacking bench, with the intention of creating lots of chances at goal. The game began with neither side really taking control. Despite Jake's first chance of the game after just 60 seconds, there were only a few opportunities for Casuals in the first 10 minutes which rarely threatened the Swiss goal. All that changed soon after when the ref blew for a foul against Casuals, and a Swiss player pushed a Casuals player to the ground. Completely unnecessary on the young boys part, and it had a big impact on the game as the Swiss understandable had to alter their tactics, looking now to sit back more and to counter attack. Casuals getting more time on the ball playing against 10 men, started to create lots of chances. After several efforts by Jake there were more crosses coming in, more shots going in on goal, penalty shouts, and the Swiss keeper stepping up to keep his team in the game. Just before half time the Swiss, who had been sitting back and counter attacking without converting, won the second ball on the half way line. Running past the static Casuals midfield, there was a cross from the right, which was turned in by Ben's toe, with Harry left helpless. Casuals kicked off, ball played through to Lee who was one on one with the keeper, any other day it was a goal but the keeper pulled off a brilliant save and Jake couldn't reach the rebound. Half time. Second half Swiss came out with a bang. Corner came in, cleared by Casuals to beyond the 18 yard box, straight to a Swiss lad who smashed it first time, between 3 Casuals defenders, into the bottom corner. Harry had no chance. The Swiss 3rd came soon after, a mis-hit cross went straight over the top of Harry. Unbelievable. Massive uphill task for Casuals who were understandably wondering what had just happened. Swiss were buzzing and had all the momentum. Subs were made, change of formation, and suddenly Casuals were huffing and puffing again. Jake and Budgie knocking on the Swiss door again, with supply from the midfield and full backs, a header off the cross bar, saves from the Swiss keeper that were goal bound, clearances from the Swiss defence, balls crossed in that were inches from the target. It looked like it wasn't to be for Casuals. Eventually the super subs stepped up as Angus ran into the box unmarked and put a squared ball into the net. Sam getting on the ball in the middle was feeding the front three, with Daehee turning the second in minutes later. 5 minutes left and 3-2 to Swiss. Ball after ball was going into the Swiss box but Casuals could not get passed the excellent Swiss keeper. After another 10 chances went missing, Tom popped up after the ball had been passed around the keeper and he finished into an empty net; 3-3. Last minute of the game, and the final flurry of Casuals chances could not get the win. Ref blew the final whistle and Casuals felt frustrated at not winning the game given the amount of chances created. But the come back was fantastic and should be the focus for our next game against Aoli. Thanks to Swiss for a competitive game. See you in a few weeks. Ref had a good game in what became a passionate and frantic affair after an unquestionable red card. MOM: DHL - Cam eon and didn't stop running, grabbed a goal and an assist MOM Swiss: No doubt...the Keeper

• Cyrill Binder DF
• Thomas Vacher MD
• Joel Terrades MD
• Joe Giani --
• Dimitri Manser --
• Jeremy Marco --
• Ntoudi Mouyelo-Katoula --
• Adam Bikour --
• Jeremy Guioth --
• Roman Spirig --
• Hassen Kared --

Team Spirit!!!

A fantastic show at the UWC Dover last night. No doubt Casuals started as clear favourites. A pre season friendly few weeks back resulted in a 3-1 win for the Casuals. It became an (further) uphill task just about 10 mins into the game by J. Marco's sending off. No arguments on that - although his reaction (pushing the casual player away) was very much due to the two footed challenge which the Swiss felt very much warranted more than the yellow card that was shown in the end. We didn't let that effect us and tried to play the football that our new coach wants us to play. We managed to take the lead 1-0 through some nice combination play starting with the ball being played out of defence and Dimi's ball across found the back of the net. This really pumped up the team and together showed a team spirit that was missing for the 2nd half of last season. Players playing for and with each other throughout the half, fighting for every ball, regardless of the position. We knew Casuals would come back strong but we held the fort in the 2nd half even adding 2 more goals in the space of 10-15 mins. Dimi's fantastic volley from a corner and Fabio's cross/shot finding the back of the net. Despite Kamsadi's fitness regime, the 10 men started to tire and were under increasing pressure from the Casuals whom i thought toward the end had 4-5 strikers on the pitch. As the clocked ticked, Casuals had more and more chances and when they managed to breach the swiss wall, the excellent Joe was there to deny. Casuals managed to pull 2 goals back and in the final 2-3 mins, very much to our despair, equalised. Good result for us, but to be disappointed with a point and playing with 10 men for 80 mins says alot ... Lots of positives for us on the day as the re-building project slowly but surely starts to yield some nice performances/results. Looking forward to playing the Casuals for the Cup in the coming weeks. MOM goes to Joe although some very impressive performances from the attacking 4 - Joel, Adam, Dimi and Roman who caused problems all day long.