FA Cup First Round Qualifying – 2 September 2023

Goals from Khyle Sargent and David Adegbola saw Carlton Town cause an upset as they dumped step 3 Nuneaton Borough out of the FA Cup.

The win, Carlton’s first ever FA Cup win away from home against higher-ranked opposition, came courtesy of a dominant first half display and a fantastic rearguard effort in the second period as the team dug deep to protect their lead.  They had a bit of fortune when Leroy Lita missed a penalty that would have levelled the tie but there could be no doubt that the Millers fully deserved their win.  On the day they were the better side.

Mark Harvey and Tommy Brookbanks named an unchanged side from the team which had won 3-0 at Grimsby Borough last time out.  That meant a return to Nuneaton for ex-Boro star Greg Tempest.  Nuneaton featured ex-professionals Lita, Jamie Ward and Isaiah Osbourne in their starting eleven.

The Millers had already beaten Quorn and Maltby Main to reach this stage while Nuneaton were entering the competition.  Whilst Carlton knew Southern League Premier Central side Boro would provide formidable opposition, they also knew that Nuneaton were coming into the game on the back of four defeats in their opening six league games and so an early Carlton goal could make things interesting.

That is exactly how it panned out when Sargent opened the scoring in just the fourth minute.  A Lewis Durow long throw was cleared straight back to Durow, and when he whipped over a delightful cross Sargent headed expertly into the corner of the net.

Boro’s first chance came on 12 minutes when Felix Annan made a fine save from a Lita header.  But on a fine pitch in a superb stadium, Carlton were more than holding their own and were moving the ball around nicely.

Adegbola was causing problems on the right for Nuneaton but there didn’t seem to be any danger for the home side when he chased a hopeful ball out of defence on 34 minutes.  However home keeper Liam Castle was caught in possession just outside the area by Adegbola who kept his composure to side step the keeper and slot the ball into the open goal sparking pandemonium amongst the travelling support behind the goal.

Nuneaton spread the ball wide looking for a way back into the game but Durow and Shea Thompson-Harris were equal to everything that Boro could throw at them and Dean Freeman and Dan Brown were rock solid at the centre of defence.

The home side did however pull a goal back in the sixth of seven minutes of first half added time in somewhat cruel circumstances for the visitors.  Ward’s cross from the left was deflected past Annan by the unfortunate Dean Freeman.

Boro came out for the second half fired up and they had a golden chance to equalise on 50 minutes when Tempest was harshly judged to have fouled Ward.  Lita stepped up but his spot kick flew into the terracing via a glancing blow off the top of the crossbar.  Carlton have suffered with missed penalties of their own this season so it was of some comfort to see the opposition do the same for once.

As the half progressed the game settled into a pattern of Carlton defending deep and Nuneaton trying to break them down.  Connor Furlong went close with an effort from the edge of the box while Annan made another good save from a Lita header after a good run and cross by Victor Nirennold.

It was clear that the Millers were starting to tire but the workrate was outstanding, with Sargent and Tempest breaking up Boro attacks and looking to keep possession for as long as possible, and Alex Howes and Niall Hylton (later replaced by Niall Davie) all offering invaluable support.

Lamin Manneh had had to go off injured just after Nuneaton’s goal and Romello Nangle was effectively up front on his own trying to offer the Millers rearguard some respite from the Nuneaton pressure.

Kacy Milan Butterfield was next to have a long range shot, but his effort flew just over before Carlton brought on Zac Hill to add further energy to the midfield efforts.

With 12 minutes remaining Kane Richards burst clear down the right hand side and hit a shot on the turn which looked a certain goal until a wonderful one-handed save from Annan diving to his right and showing just why he has Ghana international caps to his name.

The Millers, roared on by their passionate and vocal following, continued to absorb pressure and another cross from Nirennold led to some pinball in the area and a goal line clearance from Freeman or Brown.

Thompson-Harris broke up another Boro attack with a superb tackle on the half way line before Carlton had a chance to seal the win when Howes won the ball in midfield and sent Nangle through on goal.  The striker had Hill in support but elected to shoot and his shot was well saved by Castle.

With the game deep into added time Nuneaton thought they had equalised from another scramble in the area but Brown cleared off the line and Annan later caught a final cross into the box to end their hopes.

The final whistle brought delirious scenes amongst the whole squad who went to the far end of the ground to celebrate with the 30 or so travelling fans.  This is the furthest that Carlton have progressed in the FA Cup for 10 years and the team are one win away from equalling Carlton’s best-ever FA Cup run.  On this performance, no one should bet against them doing exactly that.  It was a privilege to have watched this game.

Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris, L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, G Tempest, D Adegbola (Z Hill 74), K Sargent, L Manneh (R Nangle 45), A Howes, N Hylton (N Davie 64). Unused subs: N Liburd-Hines, M Jawarra, L Gorman, L Bateman

Goals: K Sargent 4, D Adegbola 34; Dean Freeman og 45+6

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Dan Brown

Att: 352