Ian McMeckan reports.

 

Andy Thirsk bagged a brace against title favourites FC Triangle in an impressive victory that saw the Casuals record their fourth win on the spin, and moved them to the top of the league.

 

Richardson Evans was the setting for the Casuals revenge match against the team that had inflicted a 5-0 drubbing earlier on in the season.

 

As usual the players turned up 2 hours in advance of kick off, eager to put the nets up, listen to Skelly's match tactics (he really could just play a tape as it's the same each week), and thoroughly tire themselves out during the warm up!

 

Angry, the resident 'GOK' did his best to advise less fashionable members of the team what to wear, whilst Macca told everyone about his dance-off with some guy in a wheelchair. Although he lost the dance-off, Macca was keen to stress that he was taller than his competitor!

 

For the first time this season, Toff won the toss, and the Casuals began the match kicking down the hill. The Casuals flew out of the traps, pressing and harrying their opponents at every opportunity.

 

It was the 'ratting' that brought about the first goal of the afternoon. The Triangle defence were forced into a hurried clearance that the impressive Nico Heslop pounced on. His shot slipped beneath the keeper, and was agonisingly forced over the line by Andy Thirsk, despite being chopped from behind. The linesman vigorously flagged for offside, but the referee was having none of it. 1-0 to the Casuals.

 

The early goal seemed to rock Triangle who obviously didn't like not having it all their own way. Hobbit and Brainy's good link up play on the right wing was causing problems for the visitors defence, and after a series of corners the pressure finally told. The corner was swung to the far post, Lurchy won the header and powered it back across the penalty area for Thirsky to pounce and bag his second of the afternoon. The casuals were 2-0 up after 20 minutes.

 

Triangle slowly got back into the game and forced the Green Giant into a save down to his left, but other than that the defence were rock solid and kept the visitors forward line at bay.

 

As the half drew to a close, a moment of magic from Davey Maunsell put the game to bed. The Triangle keeper took a free kick from inside his own half, which was headed back by Skelly. The Triangle defender was forced into a clearance with the ball falling to Davey just inside the halfway line. With the keeper way off his line, he hit a sublime half volley that flew over the keepers head before bouncing once and into the net. A great goal, that even some of the Triangle team applauded!

 

The second half was a much quieter affair with the Casuals playing a containment game. Triangle had a lot of possession, and forced several corners, but never really looked like scoring.

 

The Casuals midfield were disciplined in their tackling, giving away only two free kicks. Lurchy had his customary bambi on ice moment, but fortunately the impressive skipper was there to clear the danger, whilst upfront, Nico and Hobbit's tireless running and silky skills kept the Triangle defence busy and helped see the game out.

 

As the final whistle blew, the relief and elation with the result and performance was evident as the Casuals celebrated Pooftown style!

 

After the game Davey told the rest of the team about his wonder goal, and how well he struck it, and that it was from the halfway line. It was a great goal and it capped an impressive display from the Casuals who have now kept 3 clean sheets in their four match winning run.

 

Next up is the League Senior Cup semi-final against Division 2 leaders AFC Cubo. If the Casuals perform anywhere close to the level of today then the twin towers of Carshalton beckon!

 

Oh yeah, did I mention Davey's goal?

 

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