Tooting & Mitcham 1-2 Corinthian-Casuals
Combined Counties Premier Division South
Saturday 31 August
Report: Josh Lamey
Images: Stuart Tree (full set of photos here)

Captain Reyon Dillon was instrumental once again, as Mu Maan’s high-flying Casuals triumphed on opposition soil for the third successive time.

In a week when Oasis reunited, Maan continued to get the band back together at Corinthian-Casuals, with the highly anticipated return of icon Kieron Cadogan adding to the ensemble of former players back at the club as we looked to orchestrate another masterclass on the road.

It wasn’t exactly half the world away, as Casuals made the short trip east to Imperial Fields in fine voice, knowing another victory could see them take a leap up the league table. Tooting & Mitcham sat inside the top five heading into the clash, but despite it being early days in the season, every point matters.

It was a supersonic start to the contest as Cadogan’s perfectly executed pass found Dillon who took it in his stride and slotted into the bottom corner with ease, getting the game rocking n’ rolling in the best possible fashion.

Some might say that away form has been an issue for some Casuals teams of the past, however this new-look side seems to be really coming into their own on the road so far. The dominance continued as Diogo Da Silva let fly from 30 yards but to no avail in front of the travelling away support. Little by little, we were getting closer.

It looked for all the world that the pink-and-chocolate army were going to double their advantage, and Cadogan was at the heart of most attacking moves with spells of tricky footwork and intelligent hold up play as we sought a second. The former Crystal Palace academy talent was in the thick of it again, as a smart turn and strike stung the gloves of Toby McKimm in the Stripes’ net.

In the end, Maan’s first-half masterplan worked wonders as right before the break, Casuals had the ball in the net again. This time, Dillon’s 20-yard effort took a deflection taking it up in the sky before nestling into the far corner, deceiving McKimm on its way in. Fortunes shifting, and it was all to play for.

Casuals were basking in the afternoon glory so far but were going to have to maintain focus levels if they wanted to secure all three points.

This wasn’t the case three minutes after the restart, however, as Tooting & Mitcham got back in the game thanks to a cleverly worked goal from Tariq Omar Mahmoud. The number 14 took down a visionary pass, found a way beyond Murillo Bernardes, and slotted into an empty net to get the visitors back on track.

Maan would certainly be the happier of the two friends in the respective dugouts, and perhaps Jamie Byatt’s side were lucky to not concede a third as Dillon found a way past Tooting & Mitcham’s defensive quartet again, but this time his low shot was blocked by the feet of the goalkeeper.

The Stripes continued to bang on the door for a dramatic equaliser, and most of the football was being played in the Casuals half. However, the defence remained resolute, although the search for the first clean sheet of the season will continue.

After being under the cosh for the majority of the second half, Casuals had the chance to wrap it up as they hit on the break - Cascoe-Rogers was brought down right on the edge of the area and it looked a penalty… definitely… maybe. Whatever. The referee gave a free-kick just outside the box, and we had no choice but to acquiesce.

Despite Tooting’s improved performance after the restart, Maan’s side refused to let the lead slide away. After two years of miserable away form, Casuals fans would be forgiven for thinking “don’t go away”, but they continue to turn out in numbers and another victory on the road means it’s three away successes in a row. We will look to make it four when we travel down to Horley on Tuesday night.

Corinthian-Casuals: Bernardes, Gjoshe, Pilonetto, Maan (Allchurch 67), Morgan, Dos Santos, Cascoe-Rogers, Cheklit (Adelakun h/t), Cadogan (Osunkoya 82), Da Silva (Grant 83), Dillon (Brown 80)