NPL First Division East
March 22 2025

Niall Davie made his 300^th appearance for Carlton Town as the Millers continued their good form with a 3-1 win against Ossett Utd.

The fact that the skipper wasn’t on the score sheet was only down to a terrific save from visiting goalkeeper Aleks Petrovic who made a number of fine stops to keep the scoreline respectable for the Sheepicorns.  As it was, Carlton’s unlikely playoff challenge continues apace with the Millers just four points adrift of the top five with seven games to play.

Mark Harvey and Tommy Brookbanks named an unchanged side from the team that had won at Liversedge in midweek and Stocksbridge in the game before that.

Ossett came into the game in midtable but too close to the relegation zone for comfort, albeit given their dreadful start to the season – just five points from their opening 13 games – they have been much improved since early November.  And although Ollie Clark headed wide for Carlton on two minutes, it was the visitors who started much the sharper.  Dexter Ball saw an early effort fly just wide of the post and another decent attack down the left saw a cross-shot by Ben Tweed being blocked by a combination of Lawrence Gorman and Dean Freeman as Carlton threw their bodies in the way of the ball.

The Millers looked to have a stonewall penalty on 29 minutes when Lamin Manneh ran onto a Liam Moran pass, got ahead of Alfie Proctor before being brought to ground by the right back.  The referee put the whistle to his lips but then changed his mind and awarded a goal kick to the astonishment of the home support.

As the half progressed Carlton lifted their game and Moran drew a decent save from Petrovic shortly before Nat Watson opened the scoring.  Khyle Sargent was fouled just outside the area and Watson placed the free kick into the top corner with the aid of a slight deflection from the top of the defensive wall.

With the rain getting heavier Carlton kept pushing forward and a great ball from Watson saw Manneh dart into the area, beating two defenders.  His effort was blocked but the rebound fell to Moran who looked certain to score until Petrovic made a superb save.

Moran wasn’t to be denied though and in first half added time he doubled the home side’s lead, outmuscling Ellis Farrar on the right, advancing into the area and coolly slotting past Petrovic before celebrating with the home supporters behind the goal.

Ossett didn’t give up and gained a lifeline on 58 minutes when the Millers gave up possession cheaply and Joe Crosby punished them emphatically, firing into the corner of Felix Annan’s net from 25 yards.  But Carlton responded well and dominated the rest of the game.

Lewis Durow sped down the left before delivering a peach of a cross.  Manneh met it in the area with a touch that sent it to the back post where Davie put a difficult volley over the bar.   Manneh then nutmegged Proctor on the right before setting up Alex Howes in front of goal but the substitute’s connection sent the ball spinning onto the top of the crossbar and over.

Moments later a Durow free kick was only half cleared and a Freeman volley was spectacularly tipped over the bar by Petrovic.  But from the resulting corner Carlton reestablished their two goal lead when Sargent flicked on Davie’s flag kick for Freeman to volley home at the far post.

It was all Carlton by now and Manneh and Moran combined for Manneh to draw yet another excellent save from Petrovic before Howes headed over from a Manneh corner.

With a minute of normal time remaining substitute Niall Hylton ran 50 yards, beat three players and saw his effort blocked.  The ball fell to Davie whose goalbound shot was superbly saved by Petrovic.

Still Carlton weren’t finished and in added time Charlie Carter, having another fine game, received a pass from another substitute Diego Edwards before sprinting away down the left and crossing for Howes who was unable to convert in front of goal.

On the final whistle the players received due recognition from the fans with none more deserving than Davie for his truly remarkable appearance achievement at the club.

Carlton Town: F Annan, C Carter, L Durow, L Gorman (M Ford 68), D Freeman, N Watson (G Tempest 71), N Davie, K Sargent, L Moran (D Edwards 85), O Clark (A Howes 62), L Manneh (N Hylton 80).

Goals: N Watson 35, L Moran 45+1, D Freeman 67; Joe Crosby 58

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: L Moran

Att: 286