Monday 31 August 2009

Corinthian Casuals 0 v 3 Ramsgate

Monday 31st August 2009
King George's Field
Ryman League Division 1 South
Attendance: 133
Admission: £8.00
Programme: £1.50


So, a mini dash across south west London got me to second game of the day with about quarter of an hour to spare. I had always wanted to visit this ground for the curiosity factor - Corinthian Casuals doing astoundingly well over many seasons to remain above County League football despite their strict and laudable adherance to remaining a completely amateur outfit. Unsurprisingly they are perennial strugglers at this level, although they had made an excellent start to the season this time round, in the top 4, with the visitors, Ramsgate, having a made a solid start, lying in mid-teable. As for the ground, there is no major stand, although three sides are covered for the entire length and this was a neat, tidy and perfectly adequate ground for a team that struggles to attract much more than 100 spectators. Special mention must be made of the pitch however, particularly considering the dusty, bobbly ones I've seen in the past week or so...this one was green and lush, with consistent bounce of the ball. As for the programme, at £1.50 it was quite cheap for this level, but could only really be described as adequate, containing all the basic essentials but containing little of interest.

An even game was anticipated, and so it proved - unfortunately, the Corinthian goalkeepers has to take a large share of the blame for conceding two of the three goals. His first cock up came after 15 minutes, a harmless punt up forward bounced high and as the goalkeeper came to collect it, he misjudged it and only succeeded in palming it over his shoulder and the Ramsgate forward headed into an empty net from about 8 yards.This should have been Ramsgate's second, having had a goal disallowed and the ball cleared off the line before they scored. It was becoming clear that this was a poor referee, giving yellow cards out for silly little offences but seemingly turning a blond eye to more serious fouls. For that, he was lucky to not have lost control of this game. Throughout the first half, Ramsgate always looked the better side with more goalscoring opportunities, although Corinthian Casuals always looked a threat at the same time.

However, the Casuals were seeminly killed off early in the second half when Ramsgate scored their second with a low shot from about 10 yards out, and the game was completely put out of sight by another howler from the Casuals' keeper, missing a cross from the byeline allowing the Ramsgate forward an easy header to score their third. Although Ramsgate were certainly the better team, 0-3 was harsh on the Casuals,who played very well in the second half gaining many corners and making lots of forward runs although only very occasionally did they convert these into a goalscoring opportunity. So, I made my way back to Tolworth station for the train home, not the best two games I've ever watched, and the weather was strange - in the morning it was overcast and oppressively humid - for the afternoon game, the clouds cleared to leave a fresh but warm summer's day on this last official day of summer for the year.

Sadly it appears that no photos will be upcoming for this and the Molesey game - the memory card cannot be read. Shame, as some nice action photos were taken of these two grounds.

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