Corinthian-Casuals Manager James Bracken silenced his critics with a second successive away win in four days in the Bostik League Premier Division.

Goals from Jordan Clarke, Warren Mfula and Gabriel Odunaike was enough to give Casuals the 3-2 win at Carshalton Athletic and move Bracken’s side up to 12th in the Bostik League Premier table.

“I’ve heard comments saying we’re struggling this season,” said Bracken after the victory.

“Look at the facts; we’ve won the same amount of games as Bognor Regis. We’re five points off the playoff places with two games in hand.”

“Struggling is having a four grand a week budget in the league below being mid-table. We’re punching well above our weight. If we lose a game, everyone comments on how we’re struggling.

“Let’s have a reality check. Look at the teams below us. The likes of Folkestone for example. Or look at the teams just above us who we’ll overtake if we win our games in hand. At the minute, we’re the team of the season.”

Following a dramatic late winner at Bognor last Tuesday night, Casuals faced another stern test in local rivals, Carshalton who’d won their last five league matches on the bounce. However, Casuals would have recent memories of the Velocity Trophy win to call upon after Casuals disposed of the Robins at the same venue just weeks ago.

Corinth started brightly and were ahead after just six minutes. Clarke fired home from ten yards following a penetrating run from Juevan Spencer on the right.

Carshalton were back on level terms shortly after half-time. Ricky Korboa beat Danny Bracken to a loose ball and with the keeper in no-man’s land, the striker happily slotted home into an empty net.

Casuals’ lead was restored on 57 minutes when an excellent through ball played in Odunaike who was upended in the box, with Mfula on hand to finish the move.

Omar Koroma converted a penalty at the other end to level the scores once again.

But it was to be Casuals’ day; A goalmouth scramble resulted in the ball being cleared only as far as Mu Maan, who’s shot took a wicked deflection off Odunaike with keeper Ohman completely wrong-footed.

“Massive credit to all of the boys when they play like that,” continued Bracken.

“I’m struggling to see anyone that’ll contain us for ninety minutes and struggling to see how anyone will score enough goals to beat us. Let’s get the facts straight; we gifted Carshalton the first goal today through an error and the referee has given the second with a penalty. We’ve come to Carshalton for the second time this season and scored three goals.

“I’ll admit, our early season form wasn’t what we wanted it to be. We went through seven signed goalkeepers and lost our top goal scorer through injury with no money to replace him. But I don’t whinge about it… we get on with it. We’ve had to ride a couple of storms but it’s how we’ve reacted that’s key.

“We’ve performed well for the last dozen games. Apart from a couple of blips along the way, we’re getting better and better. That’s the bottom line.

“If you’d have said to me, after the defeat in August at home to Folkestone, that we’d be above them come November, I’d have been slightly surprised. But people know what I’m like. If something isn’t working, I’ll fix it. We wouldn’t have just gone on as we were. We changed what we were doing. We’ve re-enforced and analysed and most importantly, put 100% belief in it.”

Casuals host Burgess Hill Town in the league on Saturday.