NPL First Division East – 28 October 2023
A first half goal from Lamin Sisawo-Danso saw Carlton Town climb into the top three of the table with a 1-0 win at Bridlington Town.
The win, Carlton’s fifth in six away matches this season, was fully deserved after a fine second half display which should have brought more goals. What was particularly impressive was that the side featured three debutants, including two new centre-halves after the reliable pairing of Dan Brown and Dean Freeman were both ruled out through injury. The fact that their absence was rarely noticed spoke volumes about the performance level of their replacements and was a key factor in the win.
Brown had started and finished an astonishing 117 of the previous 119 Carlton Town games before going off injured at half time in the defeat against Stocksbridge last time out. With Freeman also unavailable Mark Harvey and Tommy Brookbanks gave a first start of the season to Sisawo-Danso and brought in Peter Dearle on loan from Basford to play alongside him.
With Khyle Sargent still suspended, the third debutant was midfielder Ahmed Tahar, signed in midweek from Northern Counties side Parkgate, and brought in to replace Michael Ford. Also brought into the side was David Adegbola in place of the suspended Shea-Thompson-Harris. The bench featured another new signing, Oliver Seeby.
Lamin Manneh had Carlton’s first chance but his early 20-yard drive flew just wide of the post. At the other end Felix Annan made a fine stop from an Ali Aydemir free kick.
Neither side created a great deal in a fairly tepid opening half hour but Annan did make a top-drawer save from Ayedmir on 29 minutes to prevent the hosts from taking the lead.
The key moments of the game came on 40 minutes. Niall Hylton was brought down on the edge of the box by Jack Walters for a Carlton free kick. Niall Davie’s free kick was handled by Walters for a Carlton penalty. Up stepped Davie but his well-hit spot kick struck the inside of James Hitchcock’s right hand post and flew away from goal. Carlton regained possession immediately and were awarded a free kick on the left. Davie sent in a lovely cross which Sisawo-Danso powerfully headed beyond Hitchcock and into the net to the delight of the travelling support.
The goal clearly energised the Millers and in particular Manneh who was a constant thorn in the side of Bridlington in the second half. On 47 minutes he shot just wide before another Manneh run led to an Alex Howes shot which was well saved by Hitchcock.
Davie was then brought down by Jack Bulless but Manneh put the resultant free kick wide.
Tahar was having an effective game in the middle of the pitch and Sisawo-Danso and Dearle were solid at the back, ably supported by Adegbola and Lewis Durow.
Carlton were desperately close to doubling their lead on the hour when Manneh crossed from the left for Alex Hardwick to volley at goal from close range, only to be denied by a fabulous save from Hitchcock.
Minutes later Bridlington responded and Annan made another good save, this time from Andy Norfolk before the Millers keeper had to save again from a deflected Peter Davidson effort.
A lovely Carlton move involving Manneh, Hardwick, Hylton and Adegbola ended with Manneh firing just over the top. Indeed, for all Carlton’s good approach play, the final ball or final shot was just lacking.
Tahar had to be alert to break up one dangerous Bridlington attack before Annan saved comfortably from George Harrison who might have done better.
Musa Jawarra was brought on and he almost scored with his first touch following a Durow throw-in before Howes hit the post with a volley following a rebound from a Davie shot.
Jawarra then headed over the top from close range after a Hylton cross from the right before Bridlington’s final effort saw Annan save well from Glen Sani. Carlton saw out six minutes of added time to secure the perfect response to last week’s defeat. At the final whistle the players came across to celebrate with the healthy contingent of travelling supporters.
Carlton Town: F Annan, D Adegbola, L Durow, L Sisawo-Danso, P Dearle, A Tahar, L Manneh, N Davie, A Hardwick (M Jawarra 73), A Howes, N Hylton. Unused subs: Z Hill, O Seeby
Goals: Lamin Sisawo-Danso 40
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Felix Annan
Att: 228
