A dismal first half showing by Carlton Town resulted in a 3-0 defeat at Chasetown, writes Alan Murphy.
The match was over by half-time as the Scholars scored all three goals in a dominant opening period. Had it not been for Millers goalkeeper Jack Steggles, the deficit would have been even greater and the final score remained unchanged primarily because the home side eased off in the second half.
Wayne Scott made four changes to the side which lost last time out to Lincoln Utd. In came Eddie Schoenecker, Kaylum Mitchell, Jordan Wilson and Niall Davie. Out went Darol Lucas, Daniel Fletcher, Mamoke Akaunu and Tyler Blake.
Brandon Mutibvu played right back with Kane Baldwin moved to centre-half.
The home side started the sharper and took the lead on 11 minutes. A corner from the left was flicked to the back post where Jake Lovatt found himself unmarked and fired past Steggles from six yards.
Steggles then did well to tip a Will Whieldon free kick onto the crossbar.
Mitchell fed Wilson in a rare Carlton attack that led to a free-kick. Ben Hutchinson’s shot was saved and Chasetown immediately attacked, with Steggles again saving from Lovatt.
The Millers conceded possession at every opportunity and the Scholars poured forward. George Cater ran through clean on goal only to be denied by Steggles. The keeper then denied Whieldon and Carlton defended desperately to keep the home side at bay.
The defence was breached for a second time on 34 minutes. A ball from the right by Whieldon was met by a Danny Cocks volley and flew into the Carlton net.
Worse followed four minutes later. Cater did well to keep the ball in play when the ball and was played back to him he fired home through Steggles’s legs.
Baldwin then cleared a Jack Langston shot off the line before Lovatt headed against the post.
Scott made a double substitution at half time but the damage was already done. Danny Elliott had Carlton’s only shot on target on 73 minutes but it was Chasetown who went closest to scoring in the second half, with Steggles saving well from Lovatt again.
Langston had Chasetown’s final effort on goal late on which flew just wide but the lack of home scoring in the second half couldn’t hide a desperately disappointing display by the Millers.
Carlton Town: Steggles, Mutibvu, Danquah, Schoenecker, Baldwin, Walker, Mitchell (Blake 46), Elliott (Pepe 81), Wilson, Hutchinson (Akaunu 46), Davie. Bailey, Hooton.
Goals: Jake Lovatt 11, Daniel Cocks 34, George Cater 38
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Jack Steggles
Attendance: 151
