NPL First Division East – 27 March 2024
Cleethorpes Town goalkeeper Heath Richardson produced an outstanding display as Carlton Town were frustrated at the seaside, going down 2-0 to the Owls.
After the home side took a first half lead, Richardson made three top-drawer saves in the second half to deny the Millers during a spell of relentless pressure from the playoff chasers. And a second Cleethorpes goal in added time confirmed Carlton’s defeat, despite an enterprising display.
Carlton made two changes to the side which had won at Dunston last time out. Goalkeeper Felix Annan was unavailable and so Nykah Liburd-Hines returned to the team. Shea Thompson-Harris had suffered a broken bone in his foot in that win and so David Adegbola returned to the side.
Beginning a run of six games in 14 days, Carlton began well and Nat Watson almost scored on just five minute when his cushioned header from a Lewis Durow cross went just over the bar.
Lamin Manneh then sent a whipped ball into the danger area but no-one was on hand to convert.
Liburd-Hines was off his line quickly to clear a long ball over the top as Clee came back into the game but Carlton almost scored midway through the half when some clever play between Watson and Durow led to the former shooting just wide.
Josh Venney fired high and wide from a good position for the home side before Liburd-Hines made a fine save from an early shot from Josh Walker.
Cleethorpes pushed forward and Curtis Bateson shot over the top from close range before the Owls opened the scoring on 38 minutes. Liburd-Hines played the ball to Niall Hylton on the left. He lost possession and Cleethorpes attacked down the right before crossing to Brody Robertson who converted on the turn.
The Millers almost levelled on the stroke of half time when Durow, Hylton and Watson combined to feed Greg Tempest but his shot was saved by Richardson.
Carlton brought on Niall Davie at half time to help get control of the midfield but Clee had the first chance with Liburd-Hines making a fine save from a Robertson free kick. Carlton then forced the home side to retreat and spent more or less the next half an hour launching wave after wave of attacks.
Watson went on an excellent run before slipping the ball to Hylton on the right. He beat Louis Boyd before crossing for an unmarked Watson just six yards out. His header looked a certain goal until Richardson threw his arm to the right and tipped the ball over the bar.
Manneh then played the ball to substitute Mamadoh Sylla-Diablo and his shot from 25 yards looked destined for the top corner until another stunning save from Richardson.
Still Carlton pushed forward. A Manneh corner was missed by Davie at the near post. The ball fell to Watson who crossed for Manneh to shoot. Richardson saved but the rebound fell to Manneh who fired over when it looked easier to score.
Alex Howes was playing a deeper role in front of the defence and he impressed, alongside the rock solid Dan Brown and Dean Freeman partnership, in ensuring Clee barely had the ball. But they did have the odd chance and Liburd-Hines made an excellent save from Robertson with time running out.
Micah Jebbison joined proceedings and he had a superb chance to level when he ran though on goal after Sylla-Diallo had played the ball to Davie. But Jebbison shot straight at Richardson and the goalkeeper saved yet again. The subsequent corner from Durow beat everyone but there was nobody at the back post to convert.
Durow then moved the ball to Jebbison who tried an audacious flick from the edge of the box but Richardson recovered his ground to save. Freeman then headed just past the post from the following corner.
It was apparent that it just wasn’t Carlton’s night and Josh Walker rubbed salt into the Millers wounds when he headed home unmarked from a corner in added time to confirm the win for the Owls.
The Carlton squad came across to thank the small band of travelling supporters at the end. It was appreciated as always.
Carlton Town: N Liburd-Hynes, D Adegbola, L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, G Tempest (M Sylla-Diallo 53), L Manneh, A Howes, A Hardwick (N Davie 46), N Watson, N Hylton (M Jebbison 64). Unused subs: P Dearle, M Ford
Goals: Brody Robertson 38, Josh Walker 90+1
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Nykah Liburd-Hines
Att: 258
