Report by Ben Marsh.

An explosive first half performance earned Carlton back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they beat Consett 3-0 at Stoke Lane.

Carlton were forced into a couple of changes as both Lamin Manneh and Nat Watson were out injured. Charlie Carter made his full debut in central midfield and Liam Moran earned a start up front after some good substitute appearances in recent games.  Also back at Stoke Lane wearing a Carlton kit for the first time ni four years was recent loan signing Oliver Clark.

Consett arrived at Stoke Lane on a decent run of form after a pretty poor start to the league campaign.  Wins against Bridlington and Ashington and an excellent point against North Ferriby pointed to a team on the up and the Steelmen were backed by a vocal away following.

Carlton kicked towards the main stand end in the first half backed by a moderate breeze but the home side fairly flew out of the blocks without the need of Mother Nature.  Clark playing behind Moran broke clear and was caught by Jordan Patterson.  The Consett right back in the book within a couple of minutes.  Alex Howes had played on in line with the referee’s instruction but fired just wide.  That was the warning.  Without either of their leading goal-scorers some might have thought Carlton would struggle in front of goal but within seven minutes the home side had busted their way in front.

Moran, leading the line for the first time in the league this season, ran into the inside left channel to collect a long ball from Clark.  Howes, deployed on the left, cut inside and was found by Moran. Howes ran into the box, didn’t panic and found the yard he needed to steer a right footed shot into the Consett goal leaving Anderson flat footed.  Joy for the numbers behind the goal and a second goal in four for Howes.

Consett didn’t heed the warnings and were firmly second best, the Millers encouraged by the space down the flanks for Niall Hylton and Howes.  Lewis Durow ventured forward and won a corner. Carter on set piece duty and the Stags loanee struck the bar from the corner kick.  Successive corners followed from sustained pressure.  Hylton, Moran and Clark all doing an excellent job of pressuring the Steelmen backline.

Howes on corner duty from the Carlton right now and although it was initially cleared at the front post, Michael Ford collected the ball on the edge of the box and fed Moran whose shot was well saved by Anderson.  However, the shot squirmed under the stopper, flicked up on to the bar and as most stood still, Dean Freeman was alive and prodded home from a couple of yards. The Millers 2-0 up in under fifteen minutes.

Consett played out from the back throughout the first half, perhaps to negate the breeze but this led to some hair-raising moments with some misplaced passes, Moran always on hand to apply the pressure which kept the play in the visitors’ half.  Carter was having a good game, aggressive in the tackle, a good range of passing and he almost scored a wonderful goal as the ball fell to him some 25 yards out.  Only a great save from Anderson prevented him from registering.

When Consett did beat the press, they created some lovely passages of play but all too often the danger was snuffed out by Dan Brown, Freeman and the fullbacks Durow and Shea Thompson-Harris. Ford providing able assistance when numbers were needed.

After a succession of Carlton corners, Consett had some possession in the Millers final third once more but their advanced numbers left acres of space behind and when the attack broke down the home side attacked with a ruthless efficiency which was a joy to behold.  Clark, influential throughout, intercepted the ball and broke away, Howes was in support on the left and his first time pass found Moran, still twenty yards out and with a man to beat.  Moran elected to shoot early and with superb accuracy. The ball nestling just inside Anderson’s right-hand post.  A deserved goal for the Carlton striker who was really putting a shift in.  Five minutes later and Hylton rounded the Consett left back and fired a cross in. Howes was agonisingly short of getting his toe to the ball and a certain second goal. Hylton’s continual threat eventually resulted in left back Dominic Curl getting booked as the game reached half time.

Consett were sent out a good five minutes earlier than the hosts for the start of the second half and they started much the better.  Within a couple of minutes Jake Orrell, one of a couple of half-time substitutes, had broken free of the defence but was denied by the feet of Felix Annan in the Millers goal.  Orrell was involved again down the Consett right with Patterson who delivered a great cross. Calvin Smith unlucky with the strike.

After a sluggish opening 10 minutes of the second period, Carlton came alive through the familiar link up of Moran and Hylton this time releasing Clark who was denied by another superb stop by Anderson.  Much more of an even contest in the half and Kieran Aplin was so unlucky as his corner struck the bar and was cleared.  Another warning for Carlton’s backline.

Hylton and Howes were brought off for Neo Saunders and Niall Davie, the latter making his 275th appearance for the Millers.  A wonderful achievement for a much-loved player. He received a warm ovation from the supporters around the ground who numbered 281, the highest attendance so far this season at Stoke Lane.

Saunders was enjoying some of the space Hylton had prospered from and Moran once again held the ball up well and fed the youngster who was just beaten to the ball by Anderson who was quick off his line to smother another Carlton attack.

With 10 minutes left to play Carlton were awarded a free kick in the inside left position some 25 yards out. Club captain Davie delivered and Freeman at the near post headed just over.  Consett had one final good chance and after excellent work in midfield from Patterson again down the right, Isaac Walker was unlucky with a smart shot with the outside of his foot. The ball drifting just beyond Annan’s far post. Zac Hill had replaced Ford and showed good energy up front. He was unlucky after a well worked move between Moran (again) and Saunders. Hill, though fired just over.

Carlton travel to in-form Bradford (Park Avenue) on Tuesday and league leaders Emley on Saturday before returning to Stoke Lane on October 22nd to face off against Belper in what could be a defining part of this month.

Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris (Osa Solomon 85), L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, M Ford (Z Hill 75), A Howes (N Davie 70), C Carter, L Moran, O Clark (L Stewart-Gorman 80), N Hylton (N Saunders 64)

Goals: A Howes 7, D Freeman 14, L Moran 34

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Alex Howes

Att: 281