An Alex Steadman penalty on the stroke of half time gave Belper Town a 1-0 win against Carlton Town at Stoke Lane, writes Alan Murphy
The Millers however will be kicking themselves for not having won this game having controlled the majority of the match and spurned a host of chances.
Indeed, just like in last week’s goalless draw at Loughborough, Carlton played some fine football in the first two thirds of the field but lacked the cutting edge necessary to cause damage to the opposition at this level. If the players don’t grasp the nettle, and quickly, and start turning their chances into goals, it promises to be another long season.
Manager Wayne Scott made three changes to the side which travelled to Loughborough, with the unavailable Kieron Walker, Jake Wholey and Kevin Lusamba being replaced by Jordan Knight,Antonio Wedderburn and Josh Rae respectively.
Belper included two former Carlton players, Ruben Wiggins-Thomas and Jermaine Hollis.
Carlton were out of the blocks quickest and in just the second minute Wedderbun darted down the right and pulled the ball back to Shaun Rickford whose effort was cleared off the goal line.
Minutes later Danny Gordon advanced into the area and crossed to Romain Graham who appeared to be pulled back as he tried to score from close range but the referee wasn’t interested.
At the other end Kyle Bryant found himself in space but his shot went straight at Jack Steggles.
Hollis then fed Steadman but Lawrence Gorman did well to cut out the chance.
Carlton were starting to have the better of a scrappy encounter and when Daniel Fletcherdelivered a free kick into the area Rickford flicked on to Graham who volleyed high over the bar from just six yards out.
Gordon then beat Bryant before putting over a fierce cross which Rickford missed at the back post with the goal at his mercy. Wedderburn fed the ball to Rae whose shot was comfortably saved by Danny Haystead.
Eric Graves then stopped a Rae run down the left hand side with a deliberate hand ball. Gordon whipped in the free kick to the near post and Rae was first to meet it but lifted the ball over the bar.
With the half in its final minute Belper attacked down the right and when the ball was splayed into the area Rickford and Wiggins-Thomas clashed and both went down. The linesman signalled for a corner and the referee seemed to agree but once both players had been treated by the physios the referee awarded the Nailers a penalty. The Millers were unimpressed but Steadman fired the spot kick into the roof of the net.
The Millers totally dominated the second half. Gorman chipped an early ball into the area and Gerome Palmer manhandled Rickford to the floor but Carlton’s penalty claims were ignored.
Jordan Knight then sent Gordon clear on goal but, in a position in which he has been so lethal in the past, last year’s supporters’ player of the year could only shoot straight at Haystead.
Gordon then sent over a free kick which Rickford headed at goal but Haystead made a decent save.
Another Millers attack saw Rickford cross from the right to the back of the penalty area. Gordon chested the ball excellently but then blasted the volley high over the bar.
Still Carlton attacked and in the final minute a long Gordon throw was cleared as far as Niall Davie whose shot struck a stray Belper arm. A final shout for a home penalty was once again turned down and the Millers suffered another home defeat against the Nailers.
Carlton Town: Steggles, Gorman, Fletcher, Sturgess, Graham, Knight, Wedderburn (Schoenecker 85), Davie, Rickford (Topliss 87), Rae, Gordon. Unused subs: Charlton, Newton, Millward.
Goal: Alex Steadman 45 (pen)
Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM –
Att: 115
