NO SURPRISE AS BASFORD WIN THE FINAL DESPITE SPIRITED MILLERS DISPLAY!
There was to be no shock in the 2019 Senior Cup Final with the result going true to form and Basford running out comfortable 3-0 winners in the end.
The Carlton faithful turned up more in hope that expectation after Saturday’s shocking performance against Frickley, but went into the half time break in a positive frame of mind after seeing Carlton boss a significant part of the first half and hit the crossbar in the process.
Reice Bertram was dropped back to centre half and played a prominent part in marshalling the underdogs and with Jack Steggles in fine form in goal and Oliver Clarke prominent in midfield, the Carlton faithful started to believe.
Aaron Opoku was another who put in a decent shift helping Carlton win a number of dangerous free kicks in and around the penalty area which sadly for the Millers however, came to nothing.
The perceptive Dave Hodgson in the Director’s box summed things up perfectly at the start of the second half when he declared “whoever scores first will will this game”
Dave was not wrong and unfortunately for the Millers , it was no surprise that the team to break the deadlock were Basford, after being awarded what the Millers thought was a harsh penalty.
Carlton should know by now that when you are struggling, these decisions seem to go against you and once Reid had scored from the spot, there was really no way back for the Millers.
Carlton were grateful to see the likes of former Captain Martin Ball and previous County Cup winning legend Danny Elliot in attendance supporting the club and it was great to see some of the clubs Juniors running out with the players at the One Call Stadium.
Carlton’s Chairman Mick Garton congratulated Basford Chairman Chris Munroe at the final whistle and admitted that the teams season would probably be determined in the next two fixtures with Stocksbridge at home on Saturday before Carlton travel to Loughborough Dynamo next Tuesday.
It has certainly been the toughest of Garton’s 19 years at the helm and it remains to be seen, what he and the executive committee feel is the best way forward given the clubs struggles.
Maybe they will have a better idea after the next two fixtures, but one certain for now is that Carlton gave there all in this cup final and despite being defeated by premier league neighbours Basford United, there is hope going into the final fixtures if the players can lift themselves for the run in, we will see.
One other positive note for the Millers was the award by the match officials of man of the match to Carlton keeper Jack Steggles for some fine saves.
Congratulations to Basford United who tonight took revenge for their 2017 defeat, while Carlton suffered their second Cup final defeat at Mansfield Town , the club have won their other three finals at Eastwood, Hucknall and Notts County, maybe for tonight we should just leave it at that !
