In a tight game of relatively few chances Hylton’s 53rd minute strike beat home goalkeeper Alex Street at his near post to the delight of the travelling support in the excellent crowd of 733.
Hylton’s goal was enough to win the game was the result of a fine second half display by the Millers, where Corby were generally kept at arm’s length, and some fine defending and goalkeeping when the Steelmen threatened to equalise.
On a sluggish pitch Mark Harvey and Andy Clerke made one change to the side which had beaten Rugby Borough last time out with Lewis Durow replacing the injured Khyle Sargent. That meant that Niall Davie moved forward into midfield where he played for most of the Rugby match.
Carlton started the better of the two sides with Nat Watson pulling the strings and Ollie Clark dominating the early midfield exchanges. An early break saw a Durow cross go just beyond Clark but Watson was injured during the move and after a lengthy spell of treatment had to be substituted. Hylton joined the fray with Davie moving into the centre. While Watson was off the pitch and before Hylton had come on, Corby had their first attack with the dangerous Connor Tomlinson drawing a fine save from Annan.
The game settled into a series of inconclusive attacks with the defences generally on top. Corby’s next chance came on 23 minutes and they were very close to scoring. Tomlinson advanced down the left and cut into the area. He was thwarted by a fine Ewan Robson interception but the loose ball fell to Reuben Marshall who looked set to score until he was denied by a superb palm away at his feet from Annan. Soon afterwards Jordon Crawford saw his shot hit the side netting with some home fans celebrating a goal.
Carlton should have opened the scoring on 38 minutes with their best chance of the first half. The ball was cleared from the Millers defence to Ash Chambers on the half way line. He played a fantastic ball to release Manneh on the left-hand side. Manneh sped past Jack Noble but as he tried to take the ball around Street the goalkeeper got an excellent hand on the ball and the home side were able to clear the danger.
Shortly afterwards Manneh got himself into a similar position. This time he elected to shoot early but his effort went high and wide. Tomlinson then caused danger to Carlton twice in the closing stages of the half, only to be stopped on both occasions by the excellent Robson.
The home side had the first attempt of the second half with Annan saving well from Crawford before Carlton took control of the game. A fine interchange between Manneh and Durow saw the forward play a lovely ball to Hylton on the right-hand side. He played the ball into Manneh in the penalty area. His shot was well saved by Street. The ball was deflected towards Alex Troke but with an open goal in front of him he missed his kick and the chance went.
However, four minutes later the Millers went ahead. Corby had a free kick close to the corner flag on the Corby right. The delivery into the box was headed clear by a combination of the resolute Dean Freeman and a Corby forward and the ball landed with Manneh on the edge of the Carlton area. Under pressure he darted to the touchline and then played a wonderful pass to set Hylton scampering down the left wing. Hylton still had plenty to do but he knocked the ball ahead of Jack Noble, sprinted half the length of the pitch before firing past Street from just inside the area. It was a superb counter-attacking goal.
Hylton went close a couple of minutes later with a shot that flashed just wide before Troke, having a fine game alongside Davie and Clark in midfield, sent over a lovely cross which was excellently controlled by Chambers but the striker just couldn’t get a shot away.
Shea Thompson-Harris looked impressive throughout at right back, with occasional breaks into the opposition half to support the attack. Indeed, the work rate of the Millers team meant that Corby were unable to get a foothold in the game for the majority of the second half. Durow had a chance to seal the win with 18 minutes remaining but he headed over from a Davie corner.
The final 15 minutes saw the home side push forward in an attempt to get something from the game. Annan made a superb save from Thompson, tipping away his close-range shot, after an initial block from Freeman. The goalkeeper then tipped a long-range effort from Crawford over the bar.
Corby’s final chance came with four minutes remaining but Robson once again was on hand to block a Crawford cross and the Millers saw out the five minutes of added time in some comfort as they secured an excellent win. The delighted squad came across to thank the travelling Millers fans at the end which, as always, was much appreciated.
Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris, L Durow, D Freeman, E Robson, O Clark, L Manneh, N Watson (N Hylton 17), A Chambers (K Watson 82), A Troke (J Law 71), N Davie. Unused Subs: A Howes, O Taylor
Goals: N Hylton 53
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Ewan Robson
Att: 733
