Debut goals from Oliver Robinson and Aaron Opoku gave Carlton the perfect start to life in the Evo-Stik East with a 2-0 win at Tadcaster Albion.
The win was well deserved against a side who made the First Division North play-offs last but the Millers were thankful to a couple of stunning saves from current supporters player of the year Jack Steggles to keep the Brewers at bay.
The reorganisation of the Evo-Stik First Division to East and West sections means Carlton will be playing a host of new teams this year, and other sides, such as Tadcaster, that they haven’t met in over a decade since their days in the Northern Counties East League.
It was the Millers who started the sharper with Jordan Pick and Sargent Khyle in midfield controlling possession and moving the ball around nicely as Albion struggled to get going.
But, as the half progressed the Brewers, backed by a decent crowd, played some neat pass and move football as the looked to stretch the Millers. A fine move involving Mitch Langton, Aiden Savory and Casey Stewart down the left saw the latter draw a decent save from Steggles at his near post.
The home side were now on top and on 30 minutes Davidson’s free kick found Stewart eight yards from goal. His bullet header looked a certain goal until a magnificent reaction save from Steggles, throwing his arm high to tip the ball over the bar.
Khyle went on a mazy run down the left which led to nothing while Savory forced Steggles into a brace of decent saves in quick succession as half time approached.
Carlton came out for the second half revitalised and Smithson hit an early shot that was comfortably saved by Male.
Hutchinson and Opoku then combined only for the latter to be brought down just as he was about to go clear on goal.
The break-through came on 56 minutes. Bertram sent a free kick left to right into the penalty area. Male came for it but misjudged the flight and succeeded only in palming the ball onto the head of the on-rushing Robinson who wheeled away in delight as he headed into the unguarded net.
As the half wore on Carlton gradually sat deeper, kept their shape and in effect invited the home side to try and force the equaliser. Smithson and Tomlinson were putting in huge amounts of work getting up and down the pitch and the centre halves were impressive, dealing with everything Tadcaster threw at them.
Steggles was called upon again on 70 minutes to save from Stewart at his near post after a good run and shot.
Jack Vann was then inches wide while substitute Joe Lumsden saw an angled drive well held by Steggles.
The closest the home side came to scoring was on 80 minutes when Steggles reacted excellently to tip a header from Stewart around the post.
By this stage Scott had brought on Mamoke Akaunu, back at the club after a summer away, and he was fed by Opoku and went on a run before Smithson saw a shot deflected wide.
Tadcaster then broke quickly and only a diving header by Clarke and Steggles taking the ball off the toes of Lumsden prevented a goal.
The second goal Carlton needed to kill the game arrived with three minutes remaining. Akaunu went on another fine run, beat two players and shot to the corner of the goal only for Male to produce another fine save, with the rebound falling agonisingly behind Smithson.
He retrieved possession and played the ball into the impressive Pick who was brought down yet again just outside the box. Opoku, who had been a threat to the Tadcaster defence all game, stepped up and hit a delicious low free kick which curled around the wall and into the bottom corner of Male’s net, giving the keeper no chance and delighting the small band of travelling fans.
Carlton saw out the remaining minutes comfortably and Scott introduced another debutant, James Frost, in added time.
Carlton Town: Steggles, Robinson, Fletcher, Bertram, Clarke, Pick, Khyle, Smithson, Opoku (Frost 90), Hutchinson (Akaunu 76), Tomlinson. Unused substitutes: Stovell, Stokes
Goals: Robinson 56, Opoku 87
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Jordan Pick
Attendance: 258
