Carlton Town and Wellingborough Town played out a hard-fought goalless draw at the Bill Stokeld stadium in front of Carlton’s biggest ever home league attendance.
The record crowd of 408 enjoyed a committed display from both teams on a superb playing surface but the defences were very much on top and neither side was able to take advantage of the handful of chances that were created.
Mark Harvey and Andy Clerke unsurprisingly named an unchanged starting eleven following the midweek win at Belper Town. There was a return to the bench for Nat Watson following his suspension.
The Millers had the ball in the net inside the first minute but Ash Chambers’s strike was ruled out for offside. Felix Annan then had to be alert to make a fine save as the Doughboys responded immediately.
As the half progressed Wellingborough asserted themselves with some very solid defensive work and some sharp forward movement, with wide men Taylor Franklin and Isa Abrahamu looking dangerous throughout. The latter’s cross found Lloyd Buckby on the quarter-hour but home captain Niall Davie did well to block his effort. Annan then made a relatively comfortable save from Abrahamu as the visitors enjoyed a spell of pressure.
Carlton though defended as well as their opponents with the makeshift centre back pairing of Ewan Robson and Khyle Sargent both enjoying fine games, as did Shea Thompson-Harris and Lewis Durow at full back.
Towards the end of the half the Millers started to pose a threat of their own and a lovely pass from Oliver Clark sent Niall Hylton away on the right. He cut into the area and saw his shot deflected wide for a corner. Davie took the flag kick and his delivery was met by Sargent who headed wide from a good position.
Davie himself went closest to scoring in the opening stages of the second half when a rasping drive flew inches over the crossbar. Moments later the visitors looked to be going through on goal until a superb covering interception by Thompson-Harris thwarted them.
Another fine Clark pass found Manneh on the left. He sped forward into the area and was only denied by an excellent save from Doughboys keeper Dean Snedker. Back came Wellingborough and Annan had to be off his line sharply to gather ahead of the onrushing Danny Draper. Robson then did well to block a cross from the lively substitute Tre Charles.
This always looked like a game where the first goal would be decisive and both teams had the chance to claim the points in a five minute spell midway through the second half. Firstly it was Wellingborough, when Franklin darted down the right and crossed to the unmarked Charles but he headed wide to the disbelief of his teammates.
Worse was to follow at the other end when Alex Howes, having another impressive game in his deep-lying midfield role, sent Hylton into the area. His shot was well saved but when the ball was crossed to the back post both Chambers and Manneh failed to get a connection with the goal gaping.
Had either side snatched a winner it would have been extremely harsh on the losers. Wellingborough had a final chance with a back post scramble from a corner but Annan made another wonder save and Carlton cleared. Meanwhile Thompson-Harris and Manneh combined for the latter to race away down the right and cross but once again the visiting defence got back quickly to clear. Five minutes of added time couldn’t produce a winner and both teams were fully deserving of the applause they received at the final whistle. Even though it finished without a goal, the crowd had been treated to a proper game of football.
Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris, L Durow, K Sargent, E Robson, A Howes (A Troke 83), L Manneh, O Clark (L Bateman 79), A Chambers (K Watson 83), N Davie (N Watson 57), N Hylton (H Goddard 75).
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Felix Annan
Att: 408
