NPL First Division East – 20 February 2024
Carlton Town bounced back in style from a run of three games without a win with a 5-0 thrashing of Bridlington Town at Stoke Lane.
After conceding seven goals in their last two games against Liversedge and Belper and then seeing three successive home matches postponed, the Millers were in danger of seeing the momentum fade from their so-far impressive season. The supporters did their bit, coming to the ground in numbers throughout the day to make sure the pitch was fit to play on and the team responded with their biggest win of the season. In fairness to Bridlington, although they defended poorly, they never gave up and did look a threat going forward. The Millers will be just as pleased with the clean sheet as with the margin of victory.
Carlton made four changes from the side which had lost heavily at Belper, with Felix Annan, Lewis Durow, Lawrence Gorman and Micah Jebbison all starting in place of Nykah Liburd-Hines, Ryan Ebanks, David Adegbola and Niall Davie. Durow and Jebbison were coming back from suspension while Gorman was making his first start of the season after a lengthy injury lay-off. With Davie away, Khyle Sargent was named captain on his 100th appearance for the Millers. Sargent sat in an advanced role in the middle, with Gorman and Greg Tempest behind him in what looked like an attacking 4-3-3 formation.
Brid came into the game still looking for their first win of 2024 but they had recently drawn with leaders Stockton Town and won the corresponding fixture last season. But Carlton area a different beast this year and they came out of the traps on the front foot, with Durow heading a Gorman corner just over the bar in the third minute.
Three minutes later Carlton were ahead after some calamitous defending from the Seasiders. Tempest’s clever Crossfield ball saw Hylton advance on the left with Jebbison and Alex Hardwick in support. Goalkeeper James Hitchcock rushed out of his area to clear but his attempt cannoned off Hylton and dropped right in front of Jebbison who had 30 yards of space and no-one between him and the goal. He duly took a touch and slotted home to score his first for the Millers.
Bridlington responded and Ali Aydemir went through on the right, only to be denied by the first of a number of fine saves from Annan.
Carlton doubled their lead on just 12 minutes. Hylton earned a corner after a fine run and Gorman’s delivery found Sargent unmarked and he headed home at the near post.
Bridlington improved as the half progressed and Durow and Shea Thompson-Haris had good games at full back, dealing with the wide threat from the Seasiders. Dani Hernandez pulled a shot wide from a good position, while Thompson-Harris made an excellent block from one promising Brid attack.
Annan was called upon again just after the half hour to save from Lewis Dennison but with 37 minutes on the clock the home side scored a third. Hylton was again involved, attacking down the left before playing a pass to Hardwick. He played the ball to Jebbison on the left touchline and he showed some delightful skill to beat Will Sutton before flicking an impudent chip to Sargent who fired home from eight yards.
Moments later it was almost four, but Hitchcock made a very good save from Hardwick after the striker had played a neat 1-2 with Sargent. At the other end Annan made a superb save, this time from Jack Bulless, after Carlton had failed to clear a corner, and with the first half in added time Hernandez shot just wide as Brid vainly sought a way back into the game.
Gorman fired just over early in the second half following a training ground corner routine involving step-overs from Hylton and Sargent. At the other end Bridlington continued to look dangerous and Hernandez fired just over after a quick counter attack.
Dan Brown and Dean Freeman were having their usual solid games repelling any threat and with 20 minutes remaining Carlton killed off whatever lingering glimmer of hope Bridlington may have had with a fourth goal. Adegbola had only been on the pitch 30 seconds before he picked the ball up on the right, skiped past Sutton and crossed to Hardwick who converted from close range.
Bobby Attree then headed over from a good position before Carlton once again opened up the Brid defence and made it 5-0. This time a Durow throw was flicked on by Freeman and Hylton flicked home from inside the six yard box.
Sutton had a late chance to grab a consolation but missed his kick before the referee ended Bridlington’s misery. Carlton left the pitch to well-merited applause from the home faithful. It was an excellent display.
Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris, L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, G Tempest (M Ford 60), L Gorman (A Howes 79), K Sargent, A Hardwick, M Jebbison (D Adegbola 69), N Hylton. Unused Subs: N Liburd-Hines, P Dearle
Goals: M Jebbison 6, K Sargent 12, 37, A Hardwick 70, N Hylton 78
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Khyle Sargent
Att: 127
