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MATCH REPORT: Carlton Town 2-1 Heaton Stannington

A battling performance earned a valuable three points for Carlton against a spirited Heaton Stannington outfit in the first ever meeting between the sides.

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NPL First Division East
October 26, 2024

Report by Ben Marsh

Goals either side of half time from Niall Hylton and Ollie Clark saw the Millers return to winning ways.

Carlton made one change from the midweek defeat to Belper as Niall Hylton returned in place of the suspended Alex Howes.  Heaton Stannington were unlucky to lose their own midweek fixture to Dunston as an 85th minute goal secured the points in the local derby.

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Carlton started brightly enough. Liam Moran and Clark occupying the visitors backline and forcing some early throw ins in advanced positions but they came to nothing and from then on the direction of play shifted.  Stan were busier, well organised and vocal, hounding their hosts all over the field and all too often, Carlton gave away easy possession and invited pressure.

Early warning signs for the Millers defence when Dan Brown was pressured in possession and was forced into a foul on Louis Anderson.  Connor Walker took the free kick but Lewis Durow was on hand to head clear. A carbon copy within a minute served as further concern for the healthy 215 in attendance but again, little came from the free kick.

Stan did see the first decent chance when the impressive Walker intercepted a Hylton back pass and ran at defence. He fired the ball across the face of Felix Annan’s goal just beyond Joseph Thompson at the far post.  

More good pressure in Carlton territory saw Charlie Carter hustled off the ball. Kane Evans was released down the right wing and supplied a decent cross, just too high for Anderson whose header was high and wide.  More Heaton pressure and from a free kick on halfway the ball fell to Walker but once again, the shot lacked composure and Annan was happy to let the ball sail over his crossbar.

Carlton did eventually get some control and after a Durow throw, Khyle Sargent did well to win a corner.  Captain Niall Davie took the kick and Dean Freeman was just beaten to the header by Daniel Capewell.  Moran miscued his acrobatic attempt and the pressure was back on the Millers defenders.  Sargent did well to win the ball from the Stan midfield and ran into opposition territory but he and Moran were reading different scripts as the through ball was wayward.

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Michael Ford was forced off as half time approached, the right back carrying illness into the game. He was replaced by Lawrence Gorman.  This, inadvertently gave Carlton life and just two minutes later the home side took the lead against the run of play.  Durow collected the ball from his goalkeeper and played a nice ball down the inside left channel to Moran who, as he had done well up to that point, won the flick on. The difference this time was there was a yellow and blue shirt on the end of it. Hylton making a good run in from the right wing found enough space in the opposition box to control and get his shot away. Not the cleanest of strikes but enough to trickle in.

Now playing with a little more confidence, Carlton created another good chance from the kick off with Davie doing well to win the ball in the centre circle and, holding off attentions from two black and white shirts, passed to Hylton on the right.  The wingman advanced into the final third and smartly passed back to Carter who crossed first time to Clark who was unlucky to fire over the bar with his shot being well held by the one of the Millers faithful behind the goal at the shed end. 

Davie, Moran and Clark combined once more before half time and although the chance was tame the home side reached the whistle ahead.

Another bright start to the second half but this time with results. Durow’s clearing header was flicked on by Hylton just inside the Heaton half.  Moran played a first time ball to Clark and after riding a challenge from the defender, the Millers man was running clear. Still under pressure he ran the ball into the box and calmly slotted past Lewis Brass in the Stan goal.

Clark’s vocal celebration in front of the equally noisy Carlton fans behind the goal was well received, the loanee having been involved in most of what’s been good about the team in the last few weeks. This was his first goal on his return which his overall play and work rate richly deserved.

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Carlton were really on top now and pressed for a third. Hylton, on a typically mazy run was only stopped by a tackle which was clumsy at best but Brass was confident when claiming the free kick and the chance was gone.

Heaton had shown themselves to be more than capable at this level and their dominance of the first half was rewarded just after the hour mark. Substitute, Jay Hornsby’s throw was quick and Shay Richardson, who was excellent all game, had time to fire in a superb cross. Annan and the defenders froze and Thompson was on hand to turn the ball in from a yard.

Luca Alonzi replaced Hylton and Moran dropped to right wing as both sides rang the changes which disrupted the flow of the game somewhat and Carlton started dropping further and further back but when they did break up any attacks they looked dangerous. Sargent in one such instance released Clark who was unlucky his goal bound shot was well blocked by Capewell.  As the game approached time, Annan still had a part to play. Hornsby with an excellent cross, found Richardson but Annan at full stretch kept the ball out low to his left.

A vital three points for Carlton who were not at their best but showed some real fight and determination to win.

Carlton Town: F Annan, M Ford (L Gorman 39), L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, C Carter, N Davie, K Sargent, L Moran (N Saunders 86), O Clark, N Hylton (L Alonzi 66).  Unused Subs: S Thompson-Harris, H Goddard

Goals: N Hylton 40, O Clark 49; Joseph Thompson 66

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Oliver Clark

Att: 215

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