NPL First Division East
March 1, 2025
This was a first ever trip to Grounsell Park for the Millers and they met a Heaton side on a good run of form themselves, having recently beaten promotion chasing Dunston and drawn against fellow title challengers Emley. But Carlton were dominant all over the pitch, particularly in a one-sided second half, and thoroughly deserved the margin of victory.
The Millers made one change to the side which drew with Newton Aycliffe last time out with the injured Ollie Clark replaced by Niall Hylton. That meant Charlie Carter continued at right back with Hylton on the left ahead of Lewis Durow, making his 100th appearance for Carlton.
Backed by a good away following, it was Carlton who had the better start and an early move involving Nat Watson and Khyle Sargent saw Heaton’s Dan Capewell do well to cover. A lovely passing move encompassing Lamin Manneh, Liam Moran, Niall Davie and Sargent saw Durow hit a shot just over the bar.
Stan’s first attack came just before the 20-minute mark and saw Hylton do well to block Konner Lamb. Carter then made a great headed clearance from a dangerous free kick before Dan Brwon did likewise when the ball was knocked back into the danger area.
The Millers though were increasingly pushing forward and soon opened the scoring. A Durow throw was only half cleared and when the ball dropped to Watson his fierce drive drew a superb tip over the bar from Lewis Brass in the home goal. But when Corner’s corner wasn’t cleared Sargent hit a cheeky back heel that wrong footed Brass and rolled into the net. Sargent then enjoyed a celebration with the travelling Mini Millers behind the goal.
Felix Annan was called into action o the half hour, saving a Dan Groves free kick that was hit straight at him, but the Carlton pressure continued with Brass making a decent save from a Sargent header.
Heaton’s best attacking moment of the game came just before half time. A quick break down the right saw a super cross go across the face of goal with Jay Errington unable to get on the end of it. It was to be their final chance of the afternoon.
Annan dealt with a couple of crosses and that clearly gave the rest of the defence confidence.
In the second half the Millers defence and midfield simply worked their socks off and gave Heaton absolutely no time on the ball. Carter, having a fine game at right back, kept driving forward and when his cross was cleared, Sargent won the ball straight back and set up Davie who shot just wide.
A couple of minutes later the Millers doubled their lead. A Durow throw was flicked on by Sargent and Davie arrived at the far post to throw his head at the loose ball and nod it into the net. The angle of the header and the speed necessary to get there ahead of Brass meant that Davie was always going to collide with something or someone, and it was the post that took the force of his collision with some lengthy treatment necessary before he could resume.
The next goal was going to be key and it went Carlton’s way on 69 minutes. Hylton won a ball on the left hand side he had no right to win. He darted into the area and his cross was turned in by a combination of Manneh and Groves, with the Carlton man more than happy to be credited with the goal.
Thereafter Dean Freeman and Brown gave the home side nothing to bite on up front while Watson and the rest of the midfield always looked capable of opening up Heaton. Substitute Diego Edwards drew a decent save from Brass after Hylton had won a ball in midfield.
There was a handbags melee near the end after a poor foul on Brown which saw a number of yellow cards but Carlton saw out the second half in complete control and celebrated with their joyous supporters at the final whistle.
Carlton Town: F Annan, C Carter, L Durow (S Thompson-Harris 87), D Brown, D Freeman, N Watson, N Hylton, K Sargent (G Tempest 76), L Moran (D Edwards 76), N Davie, L Manneh (H Goddard 82)
Goals: K Sargent 27, N Davie 56, L Manneh 69
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: K Sargent
Att: 387
