NPL First Division East Playoff Semi-Final – 30 April 2024
Carlton Town’s season came to an end as they were beaten 2-0 at Stockton Town in the NPL East playoff semi-final.
The Anchors had finished 15 points ahead of the Millers in the table and had only lost once at home all season. But that home defeat was against Carlton on Easter Saturday and although the Millers travelled to Teesside as underdogs, they had hopes of causing an upset and making it to the playoff final for the first time in their history. But, with Carlton playing their 10th game of the month, Stockton were just too strong and fully deserved the win earned courtesy of a poacher’s brace from Glen Butterworth.
When the dust settles Carlton will reflect on an excellent campaign involving some fine football, two good cup runs and the highest league finish for 12 years. There is much to be positive about around Stoke Lane.
Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey made five changes to the side which had lost at Brighouse on the final day of the season. Back into the side came Dan Brown, Dean Freeman, Lamin Manneh, Alex Howes and Alex Hardwick. They replaced Lawrence Gorman, Peter Dearle, Mamadoh Sylla-Diallo and Micah Jebbison and Niall Davie.
In front of a crowd of 1637, by far the biggest ever to watch a Carlton game, and with tremendous backing from the 50 or so Millers fans who had made the trip, Carlton began well enough and Howes volleyed wide as early as the third minute. But as the game settled down it became clear that Stockton were not going to allow Carlton the time on the ball they had in the league meeting a month earlier.
Felix Annan made an excellent double save from Camero Painter and Butterworth before David Adegbola made a superb clearance as the home side threatened to score.
When Carlton won here a month earlier they passed and moved the ball really well, controlling large parts of the game. But Stockton’s pressure was forcing Carlton to play repeated long balls with the result that they kept ceding possession.
Notwithstanding that, the effort was tremendous and they still carried an attacking threat, with home goalkeeper Nathan Harker making an excellent save from a Hardwick shot after Howes and Niall Hylton had combined following some lovely control by Hylton.
Freeman and Dan Brown were having to be constantly on their guard as Stockton sought a way through and Adegbola and Durow likewise in the wide positions but defensively Carlton kept their shape well. Khyle Sargent and Greg Tempest were doing their bit to win possession and create something, but the threat of Manneh meant he was often doubled-marked as Stockton simply stifled the Millers.
The home side took the lead four minutes before half time. Michael Fowler got away on the left and his shot was cleared off the line superbly by Sargent, but Butterworth reacted quickest to the loose ball and stabbed home from close range.
Shortly afterwards only a wonderful Brown block prevented Kevin Hayes from doubling Stockton’s lead before the break.
Carlton brought on Davie early in the second half as they looked to get back into the game but Stockton kept up the pressure and Adegbola had to clear off the line after a run and shot by Hayes.
Carlton then pushed forward and Hardwick headed over the bar after Hylton and Manneh had won possession before the striker put another effort just wide. That was Hardwick’s last action as he was replaced by Jebbison and moments later Jebbison and Manneh combined for the latter to hit a stinging shot which drew an excellent diving save from Harker.
Two minutes later Carlton’s task was made all but impossible as Stockton scored again. Hayes cut in from the right and hit a shot which drew another fine save from Annan, but once again Butterworth reacted quickest to the scraps and converted the rebound.
Still Carlton kept trying and Howes was denied by a superb tackle after some fine work by Hylton, while Harker made arguably his best save of match, keeping out what looked a certain headed own goal from Shane Henry following a Durow throw-in. The follow up saw Manneh cross to Freeman but once again Harker saved.
Carlton then forced a corner and Manneh’s delivery caused all sorts of problems, with Freeman not connecting fully with a loose ball and Stockton hacking the ball away off the line.
But the home side saw out the final minutes of the game in relative comfort to book their play in the final for the third year in succession.
The full Carlton squad came across to the raucous travelling support at the end to thank them for their efforts on the night and over the season. The players fell just short on the night to the better team, but they can be justifiably proud of what they have achieved and the progress they have made in just 12 months. Onwards and upwards.
Carlton Town: F Annan, D Adegbola, L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, G Tempest (N Davie 54), L Manneh, K Sargent, A Hardwick (M Jebbison 64), A Howes, N Hylton. Unused subs: N Liburd-Hines, P Dearle, L Bateman
Goals: Glen Butterworth 41, 68
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Dan Brown
Att: 1637
