Carlton Town bowed out of the FA Cup following a single goal defeat at National League North side Leamington FC
There was certainly no disgrace in losing 1-0 away to a side who play two steps higher in the pyramid but there will be a level of frustration that Carlton missed a potential opportunity to progress at the New Windmill ground.
The Millers certainly did not look two divisions below their opponents but, in the end, having taken an early lead, the Brakes always kept Carlton at arm’s length and some fine defensive work meant that the Millers had few real opportunities to test the home goalkeeper.
Mark Harvey and Tommy Brookbanks made two changes to the side which had beaten Rugby Town last time out. Khyle Sargent (suspended) and Neo Saunders were replaced by Alex Howes and Liam Moran, the latter making his full debut.
On a superb playing surface the Millers began in the ascendancy and an early Lamin Manneh effort flew over the bar. Manneh looked threatening and Leamington soon doubled up on him to negate his threat.
The Brakes were happy to keep their shape and counter attack in the early stages and Dan Brown, having another fine game, did well to thwart their first raid on the Carlton goal.
The home side took the lead on 18 moments with a goal that was out of keeping with an otherwise excellent defensive display from the Millers. A short throw was only half cleared and when a cross from the right was allowed to get to the far post Ewan Williams was on hand to fire home.
The goal spurred on the Brakes and Adam Walker saw an effort go just over while Dean Freeman did well to block from the impressive Dan Meredith.
William Shorrock then fired high over the bar before Freeman again headed away following a cross from Shorrock. From the resultant corner George Ward headed over from t close range unmarked.
Carlton began the second half with a much more aggressive approach and really took the game to Leamington, to the delight of the vocal travelling support. The Millers forced a series of corners, with one from Manneh missing everyone when it was just begging to be converted.
Niall Hylton fired just over while Meredith did well to head away a dangerous Niall Davie corner.
Carlton’s best chance came just after the hour when Nat Watson won the ball in midfield and played a lovely pass to send Moran clear on goal. With chasing defenders bearing down on him Moran elected to shoot early and his shot was comfortably saved by Callum Hawkins. Moran came into the game having played only five minutes this season due to injury – had that stat been five games he might well have equalised.
As it was, Leamington always looked a threat and Shorrock headed another chance over while Felix Annan did well to tip away a dangerous cross.
The fact Annan didn’t have a great deal of work to do was down to a fine defensive display, with Shea Thompson-Harris and Niall Hylton supporting the work of Brown and Freeman. But that defensive work also came form the midfield with no lack of effort from the whole of the Millers team.
There was a late header by Hylton and before that an offside Freeman had drawn an excellent save from Hawkins, but in the end Leamington’s defence just had too much knowhow for the Millers attack and the home side saw out the six added minutes in relative comfort. Carlton will know that with a touch more sharpness going forward, they might have got something out of this game. But ultimately Leamington did what they needed to in order to progress to the next round.
Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris (O Soloman 78), N Hylton (M Jawarra 84), D Brown, D Freeman, N Watson, N Davie (N Saunders 70), M Ford (L Marfo 46), L Moran (S Hooper 70), A Howes, L Manneh. Unused subs: L Richardson
Goals: Ewan Williams 18
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOM – Dan Brown
Attendance: 434
