DRAMA AT THE LANE AS MILLERS AVIOD RELEGATION IN THRILLER
Carlton Town avoided automatic relegation to step 5 with a dramatic final day victory over Dunston at Stoke Lane, but now await the result of the North Shields appeal against ground grading failure to see if they have to play a playoff game next Saturday at Stoke Lane.
It would have been nice to have clarity before Saturday’s fixtures , but North Shields say their fate is now in the hands of the Football Association and so in the same way, is Carlton’s likely to be.
Carlton players and supporters appeared to certainly believe The Millers have got the job done , even though that still may not be the case, after a dramatic final week saw Niall Davey taken to hospital on Tuesday at Pontefract, resulting in the abandonment of the game after just 31 minutes, followed by a return journey Thursday night which saw The Millers claim a late equaliser in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
On Saturday, Carlton needed to win be sure of staying out of the bottom two and with Shildon winning as well , that proved very much to be the case. Lincoln’s defeat meanwhile drops them to 3rd bottom and to a play off game next Saturday at home.
Carlton’s home form this season has been terrible, but they finally clicked into gear winning their last 2 home games, which was part of a run that sort them win 6 and draw one of their last 10 games.
Keiran Watson gave Carlton the lead and the game flowed generally from end to end without too many clear cut chances.
The pivotal moment however came in the 2nd half courtesy of Mike Emery with a Brillant penalty save in which he also quickly smothered the resulting shot from the rebound.
Nat Watson added a crucial 2nd in the closing minutes and the Carlton fans emotions exploded.
It had been a remarkable afternoon at Stoke Lane.
Despite their own relegation worries, The club put on a Foodbank collection for the Netherfield Foodbank headed up by Mitch Butch which resulted in an incredible amount of food being donated for those struggling locally with the cost of living crisis, we believe it was a record.
Deputy commercial Manager Gaz Bee launched the raffle for the big Ukraine Charity Day which is next Sunday 30th April at Stoke Lane and more on that will follow in the coming days.
Double Nottingham Forest Winning European Cup Legend Larry Lloyd was among those in the crowd supporting The Millers and special guest, another Forest star from the 70’s George Lyall proved an excellent vip guest .
George made a point of meeting the Carlton Town under 16s who were guests of the club on the day after winning their Division last week.
We think they like everyone else had a day to remember, now we wait to discover our fate!
Here is Mikey !
