FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round – 5 August 2023
Substitute Mussa Jawarra struck late to keep Carlton Town’s Wembley dreams alive on an entertaining afternoon in Leicestershire.
Winter coats and woolly hats were back on show in wet and miserable conditions more fitting to an FA Cup third round tie than an extra preliminary round in early August.
Carlton started the game brightly and should have scored in the 5th minute when Lamin Manneh helped a lofted Alex Howes’s ball into the path of Romello Nangle who failed to hit the target from a tight angle.
Manneh spurned another good chance shortly after when his headed effort from an early Howes cross sailed over the bar.
Quorn took the lead, slightly against the run of play with a wonder goal in the 14th minute. The ball dropped invitingly for Tyrell Shannon-Lewis at the edge of the Carlton box and the striker’s sweet volley struck the underside of the bar before crossing the goal line.
Quorn were the better side for the remainder of the first half but failed to capitalise on good chances to extend their lead.
The second half started in a similar vein and Quorn’s Ryan Beswick had an early effort from distance which just cleared Felix Annan’s crossbar. On the 54th minute Quorn’s impressive midfielder Tyree Wilson was stretchered off following a lengthy stoppage in play for what appeared to be a serious injury.
Carlton were the dominant side from this point on and pushed for an equaliser, looking particularly threatening from Greg Tempest’s consistent, top quality delivery from corners. However, Quorn just did enough to keep the ball out of the net following a number of goalmouth scrambles.
On the 65th minute Carlton were awarded a penalty when Nangle was brought down by Charlie Woods in the Quorn goal. Woods saved the resulting spot kick from Nangle, diving full stretch to his right-hand side and turning the ball around the post.
Carlton continued to push forward and were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 85th minute when Jawarra connected with Manneh’s low, driven cross before celebrating in front of the sodden, travelling Millers supporters.
Carlton could have won the game late on but Woods was on hand once more to save well from a Manneh free kick from the edge of the box. A draw was a fair result in the end and the teams meet again on Tuesday night in the replay at Stoke Lane.
Carlton Town: F Annan, D Agdebola, L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, G Tempest, L Manneh, K Sargent, R Nangle (Z Hill 84), A Howes, N Hylton (M Jawara 71). Unused subs: N Liburd-Hines, M Ford, L Gorman, S Thompson-Harris, L Seasow
Goals: M Jawara 85; Tyrell Shannon-Lewis 14
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Greg Tempest
Att: 204
