If Corinthian Casuals boss James Bracken was expecting big things from new signing Jordan Clarke before the weekend, then the striker certainly delivered in spades.
Clarke struck the winner in Saturday’s 3-2 FA Cup preliminary round triumph at Crawley Down Gatwick days after arriving at King George’s Field as a straight replacement for Emil Salama.
Salama is set to miss the rest of the season having been stretchered off with knee ligament damage during the opening day win over Whyteleafe.
Get in: Josh Gallagher scored Casuals' first goal at the weekend, with Josh Uzun and Jordan Clarke netting the others
“Jordan Clarke had a good debut. He wants to be challenged and is here to win,” said Bracken.
“He’s good friends with a lot of the boys here so he’s settled in quick. I’m expecting good things from him.
“Jordan adds the strength in depth we lost with Emil out for what is likely to be the remainder of the season.
"We had four strikers out for what was a pivotal game, so it was nice to be able to bring Jordan in and strengthen ourselves again.”
The win landed a first qualifying round visit from North Leigh on September 3 and followed up last Wednesday’s 3-2 Ryman Division South win at South Park.
And Bracken warned Saturday’s visitors Tooting & Mitcham United his side will only get better.
“We have fight and determination – we’ve come from behind twice this week to win so there’s no problem in being able to get stuck in,” he added.
“We’ll look to improve each week to get into top gear as we’re probably only in second gear."
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