NPL First Division East
January 7, 2023
Second half goals from Brody Robertson and Edwin Essel condemned Carlton Town to a 2-0 home defeat against Grimsby Borough.
The defeat dealt a damaging blow to Carlton’s hopes of climbing away from the relegation places. The Millers find themselves in the bottom four with just 19 points from 20 games, three points adrift of safety. Carlton still have 18 games left to pull out of trouble but with only two home wins so far this campaign, it’s clear that significant improvement is needed if the team are to get the points needed to climb the table.
Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey made one change to the side which had drawn at Long Eaton last time out with Kyle Dixon replacing the injured Niall Davie.
Grimsby arrived in a rich vein of form which included a 5-2 win against Bridlington last time out.
On a soft pitch which had done well to soak up recent heavy rain, neither side really imposed themselves in the first half.
Carlton started the better and moved the ball around neatly, but they didn’t make Liam Higton in the Borough goal do a great deal. Likewise, at the other end, Grimsby were industrious enough but Carlton’s back line dealt comfortably with their threat.
The first real chance of the game came on 36 minutes when a quick Grimsby counter attack saw Jack Barlow in time and space on the left edge of the penalty area. His first shot was blocked but the rebound dropped kindly and he had a gaping half of the goal to slot the ball into, only to miscue his effort horribly wide of target.
The Millers responded and Dixon was sent clear into the left side of the penalty area moments later. He really should have shot but instead elected to try and cross to Nat Watson. Watson went down claiming a push from Tom Sawyer but the officials weren’t interested and the chance was gone.
Essel drew an excellent save from Mikey Emery on the stroke of half time with Dean Freeman clearing up the loose ball.
The Millers began the second half on the front foot and when Niall Hylton played the ball forward to Watson, the ex-Ilkeston man beat two defenders and hit a fine shot which drew an excellent save from Higton, palming the ball away to his left.
From the resulting Lawrence Gorman corner Kyle Tomlin headed over at the near post.
On 56 minutes Grimsby took the lead. An attack down the left saw Jack Debnam’s shot blocked. The loose ball fell to Robertson in space and he took full advantage, steering the ball into the corner of the net.
Carlton responded and a fine run by Hylton down the left wing saw him send over a dangerous cross but Tomlin just failed to get on the end of it.
Borough were still a threat and Dan Brown had to clear off the line from Essel.
With 15 minutes remaining substitute Alex Howes hit a snap shot just wide of target after Grimsby failed to clear a cross into the box.
The visitors should have extended their lead minutes later when an unmarked Debnam headed wide from close range. But it mattered not as Borough sealed the win with six minutes remaining. The excellent Robertson sped away down the right before hitting a fine cross which Essel duly converted at the far post.
Indeed it could have been worse as Essel hit the inside of the post in added time before the referee put Carlton out of their misery.
Carlton Town: M Emery, L Gorman, N Hylton, D Freeman, D Brown, J Holmes (L Durow 61), K Dixon (D Elliott 61), K Sargent (A Howes 71), B Wells, N Watson, K Tomlin. Unused substitutes: R Stainsby, A O’Connor
Goals: Brody Robertson 56, Edwin Essel 84
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM – Dan Brown
Att: 150
