NPL First Division East – 13 April 2024
Carlton Town moved back into the playoff positions with a 3-1 win at fellow promotion contenders Newton Aycliffe.
The Millers responded in excellent style to the defeat against Hebburn from their previous game and goals from Nial Hylton, Niall Davie and Nat Watson had the game effectively won inside the first hour. Aycliffe never gave up and Carlton had to rely on a number of fine saves from Felix Annan, but the home side only had a late consolation from Liam Jarvie to show for their efforts.
Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey made one change from the side which had lost to the Hornets with Greg Tempest returning for Mamadou Sylla-Diallo who dropped to the bench.
In bright sunshine in the North East Carlton got off to the perfect start and were ahead within five minutes. Watson played the ball across to Hylton on the right. He darted past Toby Pascoe and from a narrow angle lashed the ball into the roof of the net before goalkeeper James Winter could react.
Winter then did very well to save from the dangerous Lamin Manneh before Aycliffe responded with their first attack of the game which was thwarted by a great tackle from Dan Brown.
Carlton though had control of the game and looked threatening every time they went forward and they extended their lead midway through the half. Watson knocked the ball to Lewis Durow, He fed Davie whose first shot was blocked. The ball fell to Alex Howes and he slipped the ball into the path of Davie again and his effort from just inside the area beat Winter and nestled in the far corner of the net.
Newton Aycliffe did send over some dangerous crosses but Annan dealt with them all, albeit Jack Naylor went close when he hit the side netting.
The Millers almost added a third in first half stoppage time. Manneh sped away down the left, beat three defenders and saw his shot saved by the outstretched foot of Winter. The ball looped up into the air and Watson headed towards goal at the far post but the angle was too great and the ball went just wide.
However Watson only had to wait until nine minutes into the second half to get his goal and it was a lovely one. A ball out of defence sent Manneh away on the left. He showed great control after the ball had initially hit him on the back and he jinked into the area beating Naylor before pulling the ball back to Watson who smashed home to the delight of the small band of travelling fans behind the goal.
Aycliffe had the ball in the net a couple of minutes later only to see a linesman’s flag rule it out for offside and Annan had to save from Naylor shortly afterwards.
With games on Tuesday and Thursday to come Carlton made changes and Aycliffe enjoyed more possession in the final 20 minutes of the game. The Millers defence held firm, with Brown and Khyle Sargent keeping the home strikers under control and Durow and David Adegbola dealing with the threat on the wings.
Howes impressed again in his deeper role and Annan frustrated the home side with some fine saves when needed, including an excellent stop from Jarvie.
Jarvie did get his goal on 89 minutes when Annan saved his first effort but could do nothing about the rebound but Carlton saw out the five added minutes to record a fine win and move up to fifth in the table with five games left to play.
Carlton Town: F Annan, D Adegbola, L Durow, D Brown, K Sargent, G Tempest (M Sylla-Diallo 65), L Manneh, A Howes, N Watson (A Hardwick 68), N Davie, N Hylton (M Jebbison 74). Unused subs: D Freeman, L Gorman
Goals: N Hylton 5, N Davie 32, N Watson 54; Liam Jarvie 89
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Dan Brown
Att: 142
