NPL First Division East
December 7 2024
Report by Ben Marsh.
Carlton made a few changes from the disappointing defeat at Brighouse. Lewis Durow dropped to the bench along with Michael Ford. Lawrence Stewart-Gorman returned at right back, captain Niall Davie was deployed at left back and Ollie Clark started in central midfield in place of Lamin Manneh who was unavailable.
It was testament to the investment in the pitch in the summer and the dedication of the volunteer grounds teams that this game was on as one of only three in the division to beat Storm Darragh. It was though a challenge for both sides and as fans hunkered down in the main stand and the Shed End, Carlton kicked with the benefit of the wind at their backs in the first half.
Within the opening ten minutes the direction of travel was clear as Charlie Carter, playing from the right wing, found space and played in Nat Watson. The initial attack was cleared but Watson retrieved the ball and found Howes whose shot was just wide.
Carter again, in space on the right, fired in a cross which was cleared for a corner by Mark Beevers. Niall Davie took the corner kick and his in-swinging delivery was assisted by the gale and almost snuck under the bar but Jack Hall in the Bradford goal tipped over.
On a rare foray forward in the first half Jack Goodman received an early booking following a frustrated challenge on Ollie Clark.
As the rain began to fall the surface got stickier and after a mistimed challenge Carlton had a free kick thirty yards from goal. Again Beevers was on the mark with a strong clearance but Niall Hylton dived on the clearance and played a searching ball into the box. Howes with a smart dummy enabled Watson to shoot but the linesman’s flag was raised.
Midway through the first half and Hylton again found some space inside right and played a lovely pass to Watson on the edge of the box. He moved the ball on to an overlapping Carter whose left foot shot was well saved by Hall diving full stretch low to his left.
So much of the game was being played down the Carlton right such was the direction of the wind but it was Bradford who advanced down that side with Dan Francis finding Connor Shanks. The frontman exchanged passes with Goodman and fired at goal but was just wide. A warning for the home side.
Just after the half hour mark, Carlton fashioned another glorious chance to take the lead but Howes was guilty of delaying his strike as Francis made the challenge to clear. Bradford had possibly the best chance of the half in the closing moments from a free kick. Iyrwah Gooden was going nowhere by the right touchline but a rash tackle from Khyle Sargent provided the opportunity for the Bradford winger to deliver into the box. Beevers rose highest but was denied by the upright and Carlton survived.
So to the second half and many Carlton supporters might have expected to see a backs-to-the-wall battle but Carlton started the half superbly and made light of Darragh’s gusts. Carter, who was quite brilliant all game, showed great enterprise to advance down the right and won a throw. The ball was cleared to the edge of the box but Howes, well positioned and as nonchalant as you like, swung his left boot at the ball which rifled beyond the despairing dive of Hall and rewarded those who were pitch side for the start of the half. An awesome strike to take the lead.
Carlton did not sit back and were in the ascendency earning a corner from another sweeping attack. Stewart-Gorman delivered but the ball was cleared to safety. Carter saw the whites of the goal just a few minutes later as he smartly intercepted a short pass across the Bradford backline and charged towards the goal. His shot was well saved by Hall. Five minutes later and a carbon copy as the Stags loanee fired for goal only to be denied once more Hall. From that clearance however, Sargent won possession back high up the field and a move involving Carter, Watson and Howes was unlucky to not double the lead as Josh Ashman did well to intercept and concede a corner.
Just after the hour Carlton did double their lead with another superb strike. A Stewart-Gorman free kick from the inside left position was once again initially cleared but Clark was on the edge of the box, showed excellent balance to control the ball on his chest and then organise his feet to hammer a volley over Hall. Incredible scenes behind the goal and in the Shed End as Clark ran towards the jubilant fans to receive the congratulations.
More Millers pressure continued as the wind whipped around the Bill Stokeld and what followed was a quite beautiful move. From left back Davie and Hylton exchanged short passes with good movement to advance up the field. Watson, performing fantastically in his 100th appearance, picked up the pass and found Howes in the channel. His return pass allowed Watson to shoot agonisingly wide. Given the conditions, it was glorious football and warmly applauded by the crowd who, throughout the game were fully behind their team. Hearing the fallout from the previous game, knowing the team were at a low ebb, the supporters rose to the challenge and kept their team going as the time ticked on.
The game got increasingly long and fractured as the visitors searched for something to build on and substitutions were made but even though there were corners and free kicks in advanced positions, the Carlton backline were resolute. Dan Brown and Dean Freeman organising everything in front of them. Ably supported by the midfield, Clark, Sargent, Hylton and Carter with incredible energy to close down space, hassle and induce mistakes.
Liam Moran, Ford and Durow replaced Watson, Howes and Hylton respectively but carried on the theme of hard work. In the dying moments, Storm Darragh provided the assist to Bradford’s consolation goal. A free kick fired into the box and simply due to the bodies in the six yard area, it was pot luck where the ball fell. Ben Blythe looked to get the final touch and although the referee played an inordinate amount of time at the end, the home side held on, defended bravely as a team to get a vital, deserved win.
After a wretched November where decent performances didn’t translate to results, this serves as a great platform to rebuild the season and the unity of the supporters, players and coaching staff at the final whistle points to a group pulling in the same direction. A wonderful sight.
Carlton Town: F Annan, L Gorman, N Davie, D Brown, D Freeman, O Clark, C Carter, K Sargent, N Watson (L Moran 83), A Howes (M Ford 89), N Hylton (L Durow 79). Unused subs: H Goddard.
Goals: Alex Howes 46, Oliver Clark 65; Ben Blythe 88
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Charlie Carter
Att: 171
