NPL First Division East
November 9, 2024
The Millers twice led in the game but the visitors scored three times from set pieces and Carlton’s usually reliable defence has now conceded eight goals in those three defeats. With no midweek games scheduled until the end of the month the club has the opportunity to address the issues on the training ground ahead of next week’s trip to Ossett Utd.
Carlton, playing in front of an excellent 352 attendance, made four changes to the side which had lost to Sherwood Colliery in the Notts Senior Cup in midweek. In came Felix Annan, Lewis Durow, Charlie Carter and Oliver Clark. Out went Josh Shatel, Niall Hylton, Jonny Gilbert and Liam Moran. Stocksbridge included former Carlton striker and fans favourite Alex Hardwick in theor starting line up.
The Millers have an awful record against Steels, winning just three of the 19 previous meetings with the last win coming in the 2016-17 season. And in a tight opening period Stocksbridge had the first opportunity when the lively Joao Silva lifted a good chance high over the bar.
Carlton’s first effort came soon after with Ben Townsend tipping over a Khyle Sargent volley after Clark had flicked on a Durow throw.
The home side opened the scoring on 34 minutes from the penalty spot. Sargent chipped a lovely ball through to the advancing Dorow. It was handled in the area by Paul Iggulden and Niall Davie made no mistake from the spot.
Carlton had their tails up at this stage and the impressive Nat Watson volleyed over the bar after Clark had won another header. Steels responded and Dean Freeman made one important headed clearance while Dan Bown made another and one of them cleared a dangerous looking attack from near to the goal line.
Davie had a chance to try a spectacular volley in first half added time after a lovely Watson pass but he elected to bring the ball down onto his favoured left foot. Steels won possession and broke quickly with Durow conceding a free kick on the half way line. The ball was knocked long, Steels won the header and Marshall steered home at the back post much to Carlton’s frustration.
The Millers responded well and were back in front eight minutes into the second half. Stocksbridge only half cleared a Durow throw and Clark volleyed into the corner of the net, aided by a deflection from a Steels defender.
Again, the goal lifted the home side and Townsend had to be alert to save from Clark after a Davie cross. Stocksbridge are in the play off positions and they showed why with a quick break that was only thwarted by an excellent tackle from Shea Thomspon-Harris. Silva then fired wide as Steels pushed forward.
The visitors levelled for the second time on 61 minutes when a corner was allowed to reach Marshall and he fired home. Two minutes later he completed his treble when another corner was flicked on and he converted at the far post.
The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Carlton. There was plenty of endeavour but very little in the way of chances in the final half hour. Substitute Moran was denied by a clearance from Iggulden and in the final minutes he beat Iggulden with a fine drop of the shoulder after some good work by fellow substitute Hylton but Moran’s angled drive was comfortably saved by Townsend.
Carlton Town: F Annan, S Thompson-Harris (L Gorman 69), L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, C Carter (N Hylton 69), N Davie, K Sargent, N Watson, O Clark (L Moran 80), A Howes (M Ford 80). Unused Subs: L Bonser
Goals: N Davie 34 (pen), O Clark 53; Thomas Marshall 45+2, 61, 63
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Niall Davie
Att: 352
