An unseasonably cold spring afternoon saw the Casuals play their final league match of the season against the school boys from Collegiate at the home of Casuals football – ground number 8.
As was expected the Casuals were under immense pressure early on as their eager counterparts tore out of the blocks and sent wave upon wave of attack on the Casuals goal. However some desperate defence kept the well at heal students at bay and it wasn’t long before they were reliant on taking long and somewhat hopeful shots. This suited the Casuals defence as they regrouped and set about stymying the youthful onslaught.
Halfway through the first half the Casuals defence had clearly worked out the basis of the Collegiate attack and effectively shut them down leaving the midfield to start supplying the front three of Dale Steedman and Roberts – and while Collegiate were always a threat the Casuals pushed forward more and created chances of their own.
Halftime came quickly and the second half was taking a similar line to the first although Collegiate playing onto a breeze seemed to have more control and their through balls were decidedly more dangerous. And for large swathes of the second half their possession counted for nothing.
But it was tired defending that saw the Light Blues take the lead in the 74th minute. Their striker weaved past a few tired challenges and slotted home. The moment of concentration loss was rectified almost immediately when Matt Roberts, who seems to have regained his goal scoring touch of late, latched onto a through ball and beat the keeper as Geordie Steedman shepherded it over the line.
The final ten minutes saw a few chances either way but in reality the deadlock didn’t look like being broken. The Casuals outside chance of the Division Two title was dashed with eventual winners Thirsties big win over Weekenders and Castlecliff seeing off Cosmos.
But it was a fine finish to the season for the Casuals who started unusually poorly. With the final Charity Bowl match next week against Cosmos for a semi-final spot on the line the Casuals still have a lot to play for this season.
