matchreport - 05-Apr-08 - casuals v. swiss
Team Casuals
Author Dominic Mooney
Gritty Casuals Back On Track

A stifling hot day and a grassy long surface at UWC for the encounter against the Swiss.

The Casuals were missing Centre back mad Dave which caused another defensive reshuffle but welcomed the return of a number of the first team squad for the encounter against a young and fit looking Swiss side. The game started rather like last week's had finished with a regulation ball into the box, which was flicked on by a combination of Webbo and the Swiss C Forward on the edge of the penalty area and the initially innocuous looking flick sailed over Scott and into the net and the Casuals were a goal down.

The rest of the half was a bit of a toil, the Swiss happy to sit back and diligently focus on foiling the Casuals attack and the Casuals not using the ball to their usual standards. On 30 mins the Swiss allowed Supa space in the box and he glanced home for 1-1. Half time and much work to be done.

Changes were made at half time with Doug coming in on the right of midfield and Harry to Centre Half. Within 5 mins Doug centred and Mooney drew a great save from Crawley in the Swiss goal. The Casuals were now in the ascendency with a far better shape than the first half although Crawley, most noteworthy was a save from a Harry header and a dogged Swiss defence stood firm. The Casuals made further changes - Lenny on the left, Tony Moore at the back and Tom Bennett upfront - all of the players making a positive difference to the performance of the Reds. On 72 mins a ball over the top found Tom in space and he raced clear to lob Crawley for 2-1, the Casuals rejoiced in taking the lead and having Bennett back on the scoresheet. On 80 mins Mooney went through after an interchange with Lenny and slotted home for 3-1.

The Swiss rallied in the final 10 mins but the Casuals back 4 with Harry and Webbo excelling and a late goal-line clearance from Tony kept the score at 3-1.

The whistle went, another well officiated game by Alex and his assistants and the Casuals were delighted to get back on track with a gutsy win against a tough opponent..