NPL First Division East – 20 March 2024

Carlton Town played out only their second draw of the season against Pontefract Collieries. Neither side could do enough to take all three points as the defensive lines held firm in a competitive draw.

In a game played at Basford Utd’s Greenwich Avenue ground on the orders of the NPL, Carlton made two changes to the side that was narrowly defeated by Stockton last time out.  Khyle Sargent was suspended so Shea Thompson-Harris came in at right back with Lawrence Stewart-Gorman moving into the midfield alongside Greg Tempest.  Lamin Manneh also made the starting XI with Micah Jebbison dropping to the bench.

Pontefract arrived in Nottingham on the back of a thumping home victory against play off rivals North Ferriby. In decent form away from home, only losing three times all season making them a genuine play off contender.

A delayed kick off due to travel issues for Pontefract was soon forgotten as, at last, the Millers got back to playing matches. Both teams started brightly but it was Manneh who breached the Pontefract line first, haring down the left only to be chopped down by the visitors right back and skipper, Jack Greenhough. In what Jamie Carragher might have called a ‘leveller’, the defender was lucky to escape without a booking. The free kick was fizzed into the six yard area by Lawrence Stewart-Gorman.  Had Alex Hardwick gambled, he could well have got there before Lloyd Allinson in the Pontefract goal.

The tone was set however. The teams set up and attacking threat was very similar.  Swift interplay in the midfield allowed Connor Smythe to run away from the Carlton back line and shoot wide courtesy of one of many Felix Annan saves. The resulting corner and long throws from Greenhough put pressure on the Millers defence but they stood firm under this first examination as Jack Steers headed wide from a tight angle.

Pontefract took control of the game at this point and had decent possession across the middle third of the field but crosses and neat one two passing moves were snuffed out well by the defensive unit. Following a Colls corner, again well cleared by the head of Dean Freeman, Manneh was running free at the scampering Pontefract defenders, his shot from the inside right narrowly flashing past the post.

Pontefract, whilst controlling this middle part of the half were wary of the Carlton pace on the counter and Niall Hylton joined Manneh in providing a valuable outlet. Linking well with Alex Howes, playing in behind Hardwick, they began to wrestle the control back and despite Pontefract having useful breaks themselves now through Jack Boyle and Callum Nicell especially, the pendulum swung back towards the Millers.

Greg Tempest found Hylton down the right and the wide man did well to hold off two defenders before getting a shot on target. It was pounced upon by the goalkeeper but shortly afterwards, a Lewis Durow missile throw into the box caused some confusion and Tempest and Manneh recycled the ball beautifully with Howes. The Carlton number ten fashioning a dangerous cross which was actually seeking the inside of the far post, forcing Allinson into a desperate save.

To suppress the Pontefract out ball, Annan was playing virtually as a sweeper and the Ghanaian was called upon several times to tidy up at the back. Greenhough eventually got his yellow card for another hack on Manneh in centre field with the free kick leading to a corner. Fired in, it was Durow, running from the back post who saw his flicked header just whistle past the post with the keeper rooted.

After a scrappy period of play, a nice Pontefract move on the edge of the box saw Adam Haw hauled down by Hylton and Thompson-Harris but Boyle’s free kick was well covered by Annan.

The closing moments of the half saw the two best chances. For once, Carlton didn’t deal with a routine Colls corner and the ball bounced across the six yard area, Steers arriving at the back post could only head against the upright from a yard. Carlton responded with their best move of the game. A glorious passing move involving Howes, Hylton and Tempest found Hardwick in good space on the edge of the box. The volley was there to be hit but the striker elected to control. His shot was blocked by the recovering Harry Spratt and the chance was gone.

Carlton started the second half brightly and won back to back Tempest corners. The latter, although cleared found Hylton in centre field. His superb cross field ball was controlled and volleyed back into the box by Tempest, channeling his inner Zidane. Freeman, still up from the corners was ahead of his man but just unable to reach the ball. He went down claiming contact but it looked minimal and the referee, who had an excellent game, waved away protests.

Hylton and Howes were creating some lovely passages of play down the right but all too often the ball into the box was lacking or was well dealt with by Steers and Danny Burns in central defence. Burns and Hardwick were in a real physical tussle but the referee allowed play to flow. Pontefract had also clearly spoken at half-time about Manneh. The Carlton man repeatedly crowded out by two and sometimes three defenders left him increasingly isolated.

For the rest of the game, Pontefract were generally in the ascendancy. Smythe and Nicell along with Frankie Sinfield continually found space in wide areas and those neat one twos were threatening but Dan Brown and Freeman were excellent. Communicative, physical and wise to the attacks, they marshalled the team superbly.  Steers, Haw and Boyle all went close but missed the target or hit blocking bodies as the Millers, to a man, fought for one another.

Carlton were reduced to shooting from distance. Durow hit the target but it was comfortable for Allinson. Substitutes for both sides pitted the remaining twenty minutes, Michael Ford replaced Stewart-Gorman, whose mature influence alongside Tempest in the midfield in games like these cannot be underestimated.  Hylton, who had an excellent game, was replaced by Jebbison and Hardwick made way for David Adegbola with Manneh now playing through the middle. Only on for a few minutes but Jebbison and Adegbola both showed willingness to run and keep the Colls defence honest. It’s that desire and competition for places which will be vital in the run in.

As the final whistle blew and the players and coaching staff saluted the supporters who’d made the short trip to Basford, the overwhelming sense was that this was an excellent point against a real play off contender in good form. The team defended as a unit excellently and when called upon Annan was strong in and around the box and under the barrage of high balls he faced.

Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris, L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, G Tempest, L Manneh, L Stewart-Gorman (M Ford 73), A Hardwick (D Adegbola 86), A Howes, N Hylton (M Jebbison 80).  Unused Subs: P Dearle, M Sylla-Diallo.

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Dan Brown

Att: 134