It was another knockout victory for Carshalton Athletic as the club continues to enjoy life in the major cup competitions this season, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

Having already won four FA Cup matches to contest a first-round proper tie earlier this month, the Robins have now reached the same stage of the FA Trophy by recently emerging victorious in the final qualifying round.

A ding-dong local derby against lower-league Tooting and Mitcham United ended 2-1 in Carshalton’s favour, although the match was as close as the scoreline suggests.

And match-winner Jerry Amoo knew the game was going to be a tough one even before a ball had been kicked last Saturday.

“Unlike when we played Dagenham and Redbridge or Boston United in the FA Cup, we knew we were expected to win this game before kick-off,” Amoo said after the match.

“Tooting are doing well in their league and they capitalised on our slow start, but we didn’t panic.

“We were always confident we could win and that belief helped us to turn things around in the second-half.”

Tooting had claimed an Isthmian Premier League scalp in the last round and another upset was on the cards as Hady Ghandour fired them into a fifth minute lead.

And the visitors kept Carshalton at bay as the home side’s only shots on target came via two free kicks straight at United keeper James Shaw.

But things changed after the break as the home side attacked with more purpose, drawing themselves level on 52 minutes through Tommy Bradford’s 25 yard strike.

Amoo was then at it five minutes later, deliciously curling the eventual winner inside the far post from the edge of the area.

The forward has only just returned from an injury that kept him out for a month and a half, but he's now scored two goals in his last two appearances.

“It gets lonely when you do rehab on your own but it’s great to be back and I’m feeling good,” he smiled.

“I practice that kind of strike a lot so it’s a good feeling when one goes in during a game. Hopefully I can continue this little goalscoring run and help the team keep winning.”

Carshalton’s reward for beating Tooting is a home draw against Isthmian North outfit Aveley to be played mid-December.

But next up for the Robins is an intriguing league game against Cray Wanderers at Colston Avenue this Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Fans of both clubs are being encouraged to bring any spare food as Carshalton are making a donation to a local food bank (more details available here: https://www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk/post/charity-drive-to-aid-local-community )