UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM CARLTON TOWN MATCH REPORTS
CARLTON TOWN HAMPERED BY LAST-MINUTE EQUALISER AGAINST 10 MEN OF NEWTON AYCLIFFE
Tomos Millward
Carlton Town will be disappointed at conceding a last-minute equaliser against Newton Aycliffe after leading 2-0 at halftime.
Carlton Town FC took on Newton Aycliffe on Saturday 22 February at the Bill Stokeld Stadium, with Carlton going into the game unbeaten since Boxing Day of last year and after winning 2-1 away at Sheffield midweek. Newton Aycliffe came into the game in fine form in front of goal, having scored 16 goals in their previous 5 games.
The game got off to a mixed start with both teams struggling to maintain possession. Chances were few and far between, especially for Newton Aycliffe who were unable to muster a shot the whole half.
Carlton managed to put themselves ahead in the 26th minute after a goal from Niall Davie. A free kick from the lefthand side of the pitch resulted in a flick-on and save from Aycliffe’s keeper Jim Pollard, but Carlton’s captain was able to tuck home the rebound. Carlton were able to double their lead when Pollard’s poor positioning from a corner left Nathan Watson free to head into an open net just before halftime. All in all, a smooth sailing half from Carlton who went into the break thoroughly deserving of their lead.
Despite this, Carlton’s Ghanian goalkeeper Felix Annan returned the favour three minutes into the second half when he missed his punch to clear the ball from an Aycliffe corner, resulting in an easy goal. Carlton were able to rally after this goal and managed to find themselves in some dangerous positions inside and outside the opposition’s box shooting against the Shed End, but were unable to add a third goal.
The game then witnessed an extremely strange red card after Aycliffe’s Dane Eltringham was shown a straight red card after an aggressive encounter with Carlton’s No.14 Niall Hylton.
Despite carrying a lack of threat for most of the game, Newton Aycliffe were able to give Carlton a taste of their own medicine after their last minute winner over Sheffield FC on Tuesday. Aycliffe’s Wayne Whitfield scored a beautiful volley from just inside the box after Carlton were attempting to defend a corner in the dying minutes.
Notwithstanding the slightly disappointing result, Carlton have been in fine form recently, this result made it seven unbeaten, and the club celebrated the 100th performance of Dean Freeman and 200th for Dan Brown for the Millers. Impact’s Man of the Match is awarded to Carlton’s No.11 Lamin Manneh, who created so much for the Millers in the final third and was a constant threat on the ball.
Tomos Millward
CARLTON TOWN EMERGE VICTORIOUS AFTER LAST-MINUTE WINNER OVER SHEFFIELD FC
William Wigg
Carlton Town FC made the hour-long trip up the M1 to Sheffield to visit what Sheffield FC fans like to call the home of football. Sheffield FC posted an attendance of 263 fans at the Coach and Horses Ground, an impressive amount for such a bitterly cold Tuesday night in February. Carlton Town find themselves in 10th and unbeaten in their last five games prior to a trip to Sheffield, making back-to-back playoff finishes, a goal that looked so unlikely just a month ago, a realistic if ever so slightly ambitious target for this season. Their opponents, however, have had a horrible season so far managing only 18 points and finding themselves rooted to the bottom of the table 11 points adrift of safety. Sheffield FC desperately needed something from this cold midweek game and had the ability to cause an upset in the Northern Premier League East Division.
Before moving onto the game, Sheffield FC’s impressive history deserves at least a mention as, despite currently languishing in the depths of England’s eighth tier, it is undeniably noteworthy. Sheffield FC have a claim to being the oldest football club in the world with them being recognised as such by FIFA. For this achievement they were granted the FIFA Order of Merit, an award which only two clubs have ever received, the other being Spanish giants Real Madrid. This, however, is where the comparison to Los Blancos stops with Sheffield FC having a miserable season in the East Division this year.
Carlton started the game poorly and really struggled to impose any level of dominance upon their opposition, unlike in their recent fixture against Belper Town. Carlton’s woes continued with them never really creating particularly dangerous chances despite starting to dominate the ball, which at least added some stability to the game and their performance. This newfound control in the game was broken when Sheffield FC forward Luke Aldrich struck superbly in the 22nd minute to give the hosts the lead. Carlton rallied and started to show who the favourites were towards the end of the first half but once again never managed to create any clear-cut opportunities.
Carlton went into halftime 1-0 down and looking devoid of creative ideas at the start of the second half as well. Carlton, however, once again rallied and started to play better football offering encouraging signs before eventually finding the equaliser halfway through the second half when Nat Watson headed home from a wonderful Charlie Carter cross giving the Millers hope they could come away with all three points. Despite this, the game started to drift away from Carlton as Sheffield FC were seemingly awakened by the goal, finally managing to show some attacking impetus of their own. Although the game felt relatively in the balance, Carlton bosses Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey sought a winner and brought on Lawrence Gorman and Niall Hylton, leaving the Millers with three defenders for the final ten minutes of the game. This decision might have looked to be a bit irrational when Sheffield started to really pressure Felix Annan’s goal, however, the risky move paid off to the highest extent when Carlton Town hero Niall Davie whipped the ball into the far top corner from just outside the box to spark delirious celebrations among both players and fans alike. With the clock having just ticked past the 92nd minute, Carlton’s victory was secure and, despite not being at their best, it is these types of wins away from home that prove ever so important come the end of the season.
Carlton Town FC travel home with another three points continuing their impressive run in the league and avoiding what looked like for so long could be a potential upset in Sheffield. The Carlton players will know that a much higher standard is required of them if they are to make this season a memorable one, but did show a level of grit and determination to dig in whilst not at their best and find a winner against struggling Sheffield FC.
William Wigg
