Church Road (Whyteleafe) Monday, August 30th, 2010   Isthmian Division 1 South Attendance: 92         Whyteleafe 4-2 Corinthian-Casuals
2010 /11

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WHYTELEAFE 4 - 2 CORINTHIAN-CASUALS Monday 30th August 2010 Ryman League Division 1 South Bouncing back from a disappointing FA Cup exit at near neighbours Chipstead two days earlier, Whyteleafe chalked up their first win of the campaign with this exciting and hard-fought victory over the Corinthians. Welcoming back Fred Fleming to the centre of defence after suspension, Leafe manager Nicky English put out an attack minded side with in-form Chris O’Flaherty providing his trademark trickery and supply from the left. The hosts took the lead after just three minutes when O’Flaherty burst into the area and was clearly tripped from behind by Darren Chalke. He picked himself up to calmly dispatch the resultant penalty kick past keeper Dan Bracken. O’Flaherty continued to torment the Casuals’ defence, crossing smartly on 10 minutes to force a corner and three minutes later he doubled his tally, running to the by-line, cutting inside and firing past Bracken at his near post. The visitors rallied immediately and dominated the remainder of the half. Powerful centre-forward David Ocquaye squandered a free header in the box on 20 minutes, heading high and wide, then the same player saw a fierce goal-bound drive blocked by Dan Aldous. A minute later the Casuals did score, winger Mu Mann meeting a cross from the right to powerfully head home from 12 yards. The away team continued to push forward, with Glenn Boosey hitting a 36th minute shot from distance narrowly over, before forcing Rob O’Hara to smartly gather his header a minute later. The giant stopper was again busy pushing away a powerful Mann free-kick and just before the break a cross whipped in from the right by-line by the impressive Ocquaye flashed across the crowded Leafe area eluding everyone as it did so. Having weathered the storm, the hosts took control again after the break, O’Flaherty making an early raid down the left, cutting inside and striking a fine right-footed shot, well pushed away by Bracken. Leafe stretched their lead on 58 minutes when Elijah Ogunseye surged down the right and whipped in a cross met perfectly by substitute Bradley Drake, on to replace the injured Darren Watson. Two minutes later it was almost a replay as Ogunseye delivered another magnificent cross, smashed home by O’Flaherty to complete a memorable hat-trick. Drake volleyed narrowly over from the edge of the box on 77 minutes: however it was a Casuals substitute who scored next, dribbling through a static Leafe defence on 85 minutes and firing low past O’Hara. A minute later, with the visitors sensing the possibility of a late rally, Kane Sergeant hit a 25 yard free-kick against the post, his follow up from the rebound failing to trouble O’Hara. It was the home side who finished strongest though, with man of the match O’Flaherty seeing another fine drive from 15 yards turned away by Bracken and Alec Brown spurning the opportunity to fire home a Drake cross at the death. It was a welcome and well-earned three points on the board for Whyteleafe that takes them into mid-table territory at this very early stage of the campaign. Whyteleafe: O’Hara, Frith, Aldous, Gunner, Fleming, Strip, Coleman, Brown, Ogunseye (Rutherford 75), O’Flaherty, Watson (Drake 48). Sub not used: Mitchell.