Jake Carlisle was sent off as Carlton Town’s brief unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-1 defeat at Corby Town.
Carlisle was dismissed midway through the first half for denying a goalscoring opportunity and the Millers were rarely seen as an attacking force thereafter. Indeed, had it not been for some fine saves by goalkeeper Jack Steggles, the margin of defeat would have been greater.
In this first ever meeting between the sides Carlton got off to the perfect start with a goal on four minutes. Jordan Wilson played a fine 1-2 with Kaylum Mitchell and Wilson beat the offside trap before firing the ball past Sam Wilson into the corner of the net.
Corby levelled on 18 minutes. They were awarded a free kick on the right hand edge of the penalty area. Steven Leslie struck his free kick firmly to the side of the wall and Steggles, who had taken a step to his left anticipating a strike over the wall, couldn’t recover in time.
The visitors’ task got immeasurably harder on 34 minutes when Carlisle was sent off. A headed ball from midfield bounced over Reece Bartram. Carlisle and Leon Lobjoit chased back towards the Carlton goal and as Carlisle tried to clear it Lobjoit nipped in and Carlisle caught his outstretched leg 25 yards from goal.
The Steelmen lifted their game in the second half and it was pretty much one-way traffic. Steggles made a good save from a close range effort from Connor Kennedy before Lobjoit headed wide at the back post from a Jordan Crawford cross.
The home side went ahead on 56 minutes. A corner was headed back across goal and Sam Mulready stooped to head home from close range.
The Millers spurned a glorious chance with six minutes remaining. Danny Gordon’s corner found Robbie McNicholas unmarked six yards out but the midfielder headed wide.
Carlton Town: Steggles, McNicholas, Fletcher (Stovell 66), Schoenecker, Bertram, Carlisle, Mitchell, Elliott (Mutibvu 77), Wilson, Akaunu (Lucas 46), Gordon. Unused substitutes: Gibbons, Gnahore,
Goals: Jordan Wilson 4; Steven Leslie 18, Sam Mulready 56
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Jack Steggles
Attendance: 397
