Corinthian Casuals boss James Bracken is not getting carried away with his side's pre-season form after Saturday's 3-0 triumph at Ryman Premier League Met Police.
A brace from Jamie Byatt was topped off by a second half goal from Emmanuel at Imber Court to secure a comfortable win ahead of last night's 3-0 friendly defeat to Kingstonian at King George's Field.
Goalkeeper Danny Bracken being replaced by outfield player Josh Uzun due to injury, was the only downside in a performance that left the manager purring.
“There can be nothing but positives at the moment," he said.
"Certainly in the way we’re playing, how they’re training, it is where I want it to be.
"However, it’s friendlies. We won’t be getting carried away and we’ll approach one game at a time.
"I know last season, other people put five game targets in, but we don’t.
"We play one at a time, try and impose ourselves on that game, play the way I want them to play and put ourselves out there in a good position.
“Moving forward, if we can take that into our league games and defend with that same attitude, we’ll be hard to beat.
We’ve played 40-odd minutes without a goalkeeper and Josh (who stepped in) hasn’t had a save to make against a team from a league above. Thinking about that, it’s testament to the work the boys in front did.
“We’ve not just scored one goal and nicked it, we’ve won 3-0 and to be honest could’ve added two more. I’m pleased at that."
A second Casuals XI visited Combined Counties Westfield on Saturday and ran out 5-1 winners, presenting Bracken with a selection headache over his first choice line-up ahead of the new Ryman Division One South campaign.
“We put out two strong squads, what with the others going over to Westfield and winning 5-1," he added.
"There were one or two there that I felt could’ve been here, come off the bench or even started but it was important that some of them got a full 90 minutes as well as the lads here.
“It gives me a problem, a good problem and one that every manager says they want but realistically, I don’t know if I want 30 good players.
"I’d be happy with 16-18 good players, but we’ve got what we’ve got and everyone here has bought into what we want to achieve.
“We’re a little unique at the moment in the fact that we’ve got a very talented young squad on no budget, but they’re enjoying it and that’s half the battle.”
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