The win, Carlton’s first at home since the first week of September, extended the Millers winning run against the Greenbacks to six matches in succession home and away, writes Alan Murphy.
Playing with a strong wind at their backs Carlton put the visitors under pressure from the start. Wilson headed just wide at the near post from a Danny Gordon corner on nine minutes before Gordon passed up an excellent opportunity two minutes later.
Wilson’s cross from the right found Gordon unmarked six yards out at the far post but the wide man fired wide of the target.
With Drayton under constant pressure a goal looked inevitable and it duly arrived on 14 minutes. Hooton did well to keep the ball in play on the left. He knocked it back to Mutibvu who played it to Gordon. Gordon played a lovely ball back into Hooton’s path on the left corner of the penalty area and the striker curled the ball around Hadyn Whitcombe and into the corner of the net.
The worry for Carlton at half-time was that playing into the wind they would struggle as Market Drayton had in the first half and the one goal lead would prove insufficient.
The Millers dispelled those concerns in the best possible way with a second goal three minutes into the half. They were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal on the right hand side. Gordon sent the ball into the six yard box where Whitcombe came to claim it. However, with the swirling wind causing the ball to move in the air, he dropped it and Hooton was on hand to fire home from a narrow angle.
Drayton had a chance to score on 68 minutes when Roberts headed wide from Bowerman’s cross.
The Millers confirmed their victory on 73 minutes with a third goal. Kyle Stovell, who looked lively when brought on, slipped the ball through to Wilson who held off his marker before slipping the ball past Whitcombe via the keeper’s outstretched leg. It was Wilson’s fifth successive match on the scoresheet as he continues his fine goalscoring run.
Carlton Town: Steggles, McNicholas, Lucas, Schoenecker, Bertram (Gibbons 74), Walker, Mitchell (Stovell 62), Mutibvu, Wilson, Hooton (Faflik 85), Gordon. Unused substitutes: Fletcher, Elliott
Goals: Aaron Hooton 14, 48, Jordan Wilson 73
Attendance: 80
