This clash, of the Isthmian Premier league sides, came in the Surrey Senior Cup round 2, unusually was played on a Thursday evening. I was working over towards Coulsdon so decided this was a fixture worth attending.

Corinthian Casuals moved to the King George’s Field ground when they merged with Tolworth in the mid 1980’s, representing the first time the club had occupied a home ground in its long history. The team were descended from the original Corinthians side, founded in 1882, whose legendary sportsmanship inspired teams of the same name in Brazil and Malta, as well as being the inspiration for the kit chosen by Real Madrid.

After the original merger with the Casuals FC, in 1939, the new Corinthian Casuals side took on the now famous, chocolate and lilac quarters kit. The Corinthian Casuals are currently an Isthmian Premier League side, sitting in twelfth place.

The Tolworth ground has a capacity of 2,000, of which 161 are seated and 700 covered. The pitch is grass and looked to be in good condition despite the recent heavy rain.

The club celebrates its history loudly with images and exhibits both outside and inside the clubhouse. The ground also benefits from refreshment stands, six high quality floodlights, a boardroom and a club shop. There was no programme for this midweek fixture.

There wasn’t a huge turn out, with 110 fans turning out, although I thought this game would be popular amongst groundhoppers as it was the only live match being played in the South East tonight.

Carshalton Athletic sit 9th in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Danny Bassett has top scored for the Robins, as Carshalton are known, this season, with 13 goals. When the two teams last met in the league, back on New Year’s Day, Corinthian Casuals won the match 2-1.

Corinthian Casuals’ Captain and goalkeeper, Danny Bracken, received a bottle of champagne at kick off in recognition of this, his 500th game for the club.

Corinthian Casuals went into an early lead in the 12th minute with a neatly finished goal from number ten Mo Diallo.

Just four minutes later, Carshalton Athletic were back level, through Ore Bello, who broke away well and finished clinically.

The game went back and forth evenly until the 45th minute, when, on the stroke of half time number 6 and debutant for Corinthian Casuals, Cameron Beckles, headed them in front from a corner. That ensured the sides went in with Corinthian Casuals 2-1 up at the break.

The second half saw both sides creating chances. Neither team could break through and the game stayed in the balance.

With seventeen minutes to go, the tie was drawn level at 2-2, with a fine swivel and finish by Carshalton Athletic’s Mark Gballou-Lida.

A brawl broke out in the 85th minute which led to a red card for Carshalton’s Sankoh. That seemed to end the opportunities for both sides and the game ended 2-2, which meant a penalty shoot out.

Corinthian Casuals’ keeper, Danny Bracken, made two fine saves in the shootout, resulting in the home team defeating Carshalton Athletic 4-2, to progress to the next round and send the noisy home fans wild.