STAMFORD PROVES A GAME TO FAR FOR 6TH PLACED MILLERS!

Carlton Town had taken the challenge to the very last day of the league season, but ended up in the position, they have spent a large part of the season 6th after a 3-0 defeat to second place Stamford.

Carlton had taken an excellent following down the A1 including former Carlton Legend Steve Chaplin who was among the outstanding attendance of 660.

Carlton started well and had Alex Howes and Tyler Blake been able to get over the ball instead of under it with two early efforts, the Millers may well have had an early lead.

Stamford were to make them pay however, all be it with an element of good fortune with the first goal a deflected effort and the second a free kick diverting viciously off a divot to leave Millers keeper Shaun Rowley stranded.

A third goal late on put the game to bed and despite the fortune with the first two goals, the Carlton faithful accepted that Stamford were the superior team on the day and have been throughout the season and deserved their playoff spot.

Carlton Joint Manager Mark Harvey took to Twitter to congratulate Ilkeston on their league win and the other 4 teams who finished above Carlton to reach the playoffs.

Arron Opoku thanked the supporters on his Twitter feed for the brilliant support throughout the season and reminded the fans they still had a cup final to look forward to.

Tommy Brookbanks had already organised with the supporters club  for the players to come over for photographs at the end, whatever the outcome of the game. It was a gesture very much appreciated by the travelling support.

Brookbanks told us at the end that he felt it had been a game to far for the Millers.

“We had to win all of our remaining games after the Corby defeat to have a chance, so to have beaten Chasetown, Belper, Cambridge away and then Spalding 4-0, not to mention a tough semi final against Nottingham Forest under 23s, we gave it a bloody good go, but just came up short today against an excellent side who could well go on and win the playoffs”

Brookbanks and Harvey are undoubtedly proud of their team’s efforts this season and rightly so and now wait to see who they will meet in the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup Final on may 4th at Basford United, Mansfield Town and Newark Flowserve meet this coming week in their semi Final.