CARLTON’S EXCELLENT RUN CONTINUES WITH 3-2 WIN IN THE FA TROPHY.

A number of supporters expressed their disappointment that Tommy and Mark had not won Manager of the month awards given the teams brilliant start to the season.

Yes Leek have had a brilliant start too, but supporters pointed out where Carlton had actually been at the end of last season and the fact many of those players are still with the Millers, making the turnaround all the more remarkable.

It was not to be on this occasion, but one thing that was to be, was another win in a fiesty encounter in a pulsating afternoon at Stoke Lane.

Although the gate was the day’s lowest in the section the club operate, it once again topped the 100 mark and the programme promotion for non league Day with a complete sell out.

A massive thankyou to friend of the club Sean Allison who helped out at the last minute, by printing the programme after difficulties with the clubs usual arrangement and back up plan.

On the pitch, Carlton continued where they had left off the previous week and it took just 5 minutes for Tyler Blake to give Carlton the lead after a fine through ball from the outstanding Martin Ball.

Carlton missed several chances to increase their lead, but were given a boost in the second half when Aaron Dillon in the Bedford Town goal let the ball run under his foot after Arron Opoku had closed down a backpass. Arron’s interception should not have made a difference but showed the benefit of the players endless work rate as Arron’ s touch reached the back of the net.

Carlton continued to drive forward and despite spells of tidy Bedford possession, they rarely threatened Jack Steggles goal.

When Ben Ford made an excellent save in the Bedford goal to deny Carlton a third, there was one slight problem, Ben had saved it with his hand and he wasn’t the goalkeeper, the inevitable red card followed along with the easy penalty decision.

“He’s due to miss one” said Mark Steggles, referring to reliable penalty taker Tom Maddison, well he wasn’t missing today and at 3-0 up, one thought the game was over.

Bedford however had other ideas and for the last 15 minutes or so and down to ten men, they threw the kitchen sink at Carlton pulling goals back through Hitchcock and Longden.

It made for a nervy last 10 minutes or so, which included extensive stoppage time and a fiesty exchange between the two dug outs which led to yellow cards as emotions ran high at the end of this captivating encounter.

An encounter which sees Carlton go into Mondays draw with excitement and anticipation of whom they will draw next.

Carlton Town TV’s Neil Ward caught up with Joint Manager Tommy Brookbanks (pictured) and Martin Ball after the game and their interviews are online now.