NPL First Division Midlands
October 4, 2025
Report by Ben Marsh
The Millers made a couple of changes from that defeat as Lewis Durow returned at left back with Ollie Clark not involved. Niall Davie moved into a more advanced number 10 role. Chambers returned to lead the line in place of Liam Moran who had moved on.
In a relatively tentative start, understandably as both these sides were reeling from 4-0 midweek defeats, it was the visitors who showed early signs of threat, forcing a couple of throw-ins in advanced positions for which left back Murphy Culkin was employed to launch the ball into the Carlton box without too many alarm bells for the Millers.
The remnants of Storm Amy were still causing some problems, a howling wind roaring the length of the field against the Millers in this first period meant dealing with any delivery into the box wasn’t without its concern.
Carlton did show some signs of life on the break and despite good link up play down the left between Durow and Lamin Manneh there wasn’t a chance at the end of it.
There was an early sight of goal for Culkin from a free kick on the 10 minute mark but the low strike didn’t trouble Felix Annan in the Carlton goal.
Gradually, Carlton grew into the game and they got to grips with the wind. In a lovely passing move down the right involving Shea Thompson-Harris, Niall Hylton and Chambers they fashioned a chance for Alex Howes but his strike from the edge of the box was snaffled by James Goff in the St Neots goal.
Rhys Thorpe, the visitors number nine was a constant worry for the Carlton defence. The frontman playing on the shoulder and challenging the offside trap but the makeshift back four were holding firm, well marshalled by Liam Bateman alongside Ewan Robson.
Just after thirty minutes on the board, the Millers hit the front. From a Carlton goal kick, Davie won possession in the centre circle and laid the ball back to Khyle Sargent who played a glorious first time ball to the inside left channel for Chambers to chase.
With centre back Charlie Bowen for company and still a way from goal, Chambers protected the ball as he advanced and waited for Goff to close the angle before aiming a solid left foot strike across the keeper and inside the far post.
Undeterred, the visitors responded well and within a couple of minutes there was a real scramble in the Carlton box which luckily, for the home side, saw the ball eventually fall at the feet of Sargent who cleared.
As the game opened up, Davie was unlucky with a headed chance which went over after good work from Chambers and Manneh on the break. And it was on the break again down the left that Manneh caused more problems in behind Sam Willis at right back. The Millers wing man saw his excellent cross go straight though as support was late to arrive and the ball flashed across the face of goal.
The visitors did get the goal their response deserved in the closing minutes of the half as an up and under ball from Robbie Parker was initially cleared by Robson to the visitors’ right. Connor Furlong was quickly onto the clearance and advance down the wing. There was little pressure on him and he picked out an excellent late run by Michael Amaeshike who jumped above Bateman to score.
With just a couple of minutes left there could have been a school of thought to get to half time and regroup but Carlton restored their lead almost instantly. From a long throw in on the right the initial clearing header lacked distance and Robson kept the ball alive and nodded forward to Sargent who flicked on and Chambers was on hand in the six-yard box to volley past Goff who stood no chance.
Carlton began the second half as they ended the first. Within the opening minute Manneh was away from Willis down the Carlton left and the St Neots man was forced into conceding a free kick some thirty yards out. Davie delivered and Bateman was unlucky to see his effort sneak wide of the upright.
Chambers was leading the line superbly showing fantastic energy to occupy the centre backs whilst in possession. A succession of corners and throw ins were the reward and from one of these, Sargent again with the near post flick found Davie in the box but the skipper’s acrobatic effort went over. Manneh too showed good energy and once more beat his man, hit the byline and but for a well-timed foot in from Bowen, Durow would have had a tap in.
After the hour mark and after having played some of the game too close to their own goal, a Carlton clearance from Durow, aided now by the wind, saw Chambers running free. The striker won his header and ran onto the ball again but saw his shot saved by Goff for a corner which the Millers were unable to fashion anything more from.
St Neots started to grow into the game with twenty to play and Harvey Williams did well to create a chance for himself but saw his effort fly wide of the target. Always dangerous from set pieces, another Davie free kick found Sargent once more but again, Goff was on hand to keep the scoreline to 2-1.
Changes followed and Chambers and Hylton made way for Kieren Watson and Alex Troke respectively. It was Troke who was next to sting the gloves of Goff. A free kick from the inside left was goal bound were it not for the visitor’s orange clad stopper.
There was an increasing unease on the touchlines as the game approached added on time. St Neots were dangerous and swift on the break and Culkin linked up well with Parker but the cross was gathered by Annan. In the final throws of the game a Carlton clearance was collected by Parker once more who instinctively heaved the ball into the box. Thorpe, finally off the shoulder of Robson in the box aimed a header toward goal but was denied by a truly world class save from Annan, flying to his right and palming the ball away from danger. Carlton saw out the final minutes of added time to the delight of the crowd.
Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris, L Durow, L Bateman, E Robson, A Howes, L Manneh, K Sargent, A Chambers (K Watson 72), N Davie, N Hylton (A Troke 74). Unused Subs: N Saunders, H Goddard
Goals: Ash Chambers 33, 44; Michael Amaeshike 42
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Ash Chambers
Att: 229
