Corinthian-Casuals suffered a third consecutive defeat to bring a brutal February to a close, as Tadley Calleva ran out 3-0 winners at the Armada Group Stadium.
The in-form Romans came to Tolworth on the back of victories over each of the top two in the last week, but Casuals were very much in this game for the opening 45 minutes, only falling behind in first-half stoppage time.
Tadley had put the ball in the net earlier in the half, but it was ruled out by an offside flag, and Casuals met the challenge of a well-drilled promotion-chasing opponent, carving out a couple of half-chances of their own as the half progressed. However, an awkward inswinging cross from the right wing caught the hosts on their heels and Brad Neal turned it in with a deft touch that returning Casuals keeper Murillo Bernardes could do little about.
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The visitors turned the screws after the break, pressing for a second, which arrived shortly before the hour, when Charlie Barlow met a searching high ball on the right-hand side of the penalty area with a looping header that beat Bernardes all ends up before nestling inside the far post.
Casuals rallied at this point and Rafael Barbosa remained a lively presence up front, looking to spark something. When he was brought down inside the area late in the second half, the referee pointed to the spot, bringing cheers from the fans in the Phillips Stand behind the goal.
Player-manager Mu Maan retrieved the loose ball and handed it to Barbosa, who confidently stepped up before firing wide from 12 yards. The Tadley full-back who turned to the home fans with a clenched fist and a roar clearly felt that it was a crucial moment.
He was proved right minutes later, when Brad Passfield made it 3-0 and left Casuals looking at a meagre return of one point from four games in a miserable month where our form reflected the relentless weather. The forecast for the first week of March speaks of the clouds parting and the return of the sun – let’s hope this winless run evaporates with it.
