WATSON IMPRESSES FOR CARLTON!

Carlton followed up a much improved performance at Ollerton with a comprensive 5-1 win over Bilborough Pelican.

Trialist Seb Darling gave Carlton an early lead with a fine finish after breaking clear wide on the right on 15 and Mcdonald continued his excellent pre season scoring record with a powerful finish on 24.

Carlton were playing some nice football and had Pelican on the back foot with Nailor and trialist Nat Watson impressive in midfield.

In the 2nd period, Pelican made things much harder for Carlton and got alot tighter particually in midfield and Carlton had to work harder for any openings.

It was another trialist Francis who scored a superb 3rd with a tremendous curled in effort.

Pelican rallied and an error by the otherwise excellent Danny Hayes let in Dylan Smith to make it 3-1 and only a fine save by Danny Marshall prevented Pelican from pulling it back to 3-2. Subsitute Ricky Gardener made his mark on the game causing Pelican all kinds of problems but it was the impressive Nat Watson who put the game beyond doubt when he scored a superb solo goal to make it 4-1.

Francis added a 5th for Carlton after a good advantage from the referee and that's the way it finished.

WIN BOOST FOR CARLTON!

Carlton Town got off to the perfect start when Kitchen's excellent through ball found Mcdonald who smashed home an excellent finish in the first minute. Carlton who were using more trialists and looking at one or two of last seasons reserves had the upper hand with Mcjannet returning to his favoured 4-4-2 formation.

Trialist Hatfield made it 2 midway through the first half and that's the way it stayed.

Their were some impressive performances and despite a difficult pitch, Carlton played some decent football and looked a more together unit in all areas of the pitch.There is still a long way to go but this was most certainly a step in the right direction for the new Carlton Town manager and he can look forward to clashes with Pelican, Arnold Town and Clipstone in the next week with optimism as he finalises plans ahead of the new season.

Danny Hayes proved the major postive for Carlton in this 5th pre season friendly game which ended in a 1-0 defeat,

Les Mcjannet changed his formation and went with a 4-3-3 to start with but it was Long Eaton who made the early running and indeed had the best of the first half.

Danny Hayes was the major bright spot for Carlton at the centre of defence while Kitchen again stood out in midfield but Carlton's passing and retention was poor and alot of hard work in winning the ball was being wasted by conceding possesion and Long Eaton went in at the break a goal to the good courtesy of a great move and finish.

In the 2nd period Strimmer finally made his debut for Carlton after returning from holiday and looked an impressive and lively addition coming on for Ricky Gardener who had played his first 45 minutes in 6 months after a nasty injury. Gardener had gone close with 2 headers in the first period but in the 2nd period particually late on Carlton finally put some good football together after the manager went to a 4-4-2 formation.

A great run and Ball in by Nick Hall should have been converted before subsitute Stephen Cox gave Mcjannet food for thought with an excellent Cameo, he looked lively and dangerous in the 15 minutes he was given and Carlton were unlucky not to claim an equaliser as they finally started to play the passing game Mcjannet desires.

Although results are not that important at this stage,one feels a win would come as a nice boost for the new regime at Carlton and a confidence booster for the new lads coming in.

Conference neighbours Eastwood Town came to Stoke Lane on a run of 5 wins out of 5 and were in no mood to let Carlton spoil things.

West was called into action in the first minute after a fine Eastwood move but Carlton were defending well and it would take time for Eastwood to get their break through.

It did come through the outstanding Miekle but in controversial fashion as he jumped against Carlton Keeper West who was left flattened, on 9 occasions out of 10, one feels the keeper would have been given the foul but Refere Mick Leslie awarded the goal much to th annoyance of Les Mcjannet who took issue with the linesman.

Miekle created the 2nd for Lee Stevenson in what was a fine Eastwood move.Kitchen cleared off the line for Carlton as Hudson had done earlier and Mcdonald went close for Carlton at the other end.In the 2nd period Eastwood made changes on mass and Carlton came back into the game.

Naylor was particually impressive for Carlton in central midfield and Kitchen who was captain on the day continues to look a good signing although his best work was as part of a 3 man defence today.

Hudson stepped up a gear and youngsters Price and Corrigan can be pleased with their efforts as wing backs.

Assitant Manager Clarkey will have been pleased to have got a decent 90 minutes under his belt and Ricky Gardener made his first appearence as a sub under the new Manager,he like Andy May can be pleased with their run out.

Lively substitute Cox went close for Carlton and Mcdonald again had flashes of quality but it was the impressive Delallia who made it 3-0 to Eastwood with a well placed finish and thats how it stayed.

Mcjannet has now  told reserve manager Ian White that he will take charge of thursdays trip to Ollerton and Mcjannet will take a back seat as one or two players who have not yet had a proper chance to impress will be given the oppurtunity to show what they can do.Mcjannet will continue his build up with the next friendly on Tuesday at home to Long Eaton.

GROUNDSTAFF COME UP TRUMPS!

Credit must go first of all to the ground staff Bob Sharpe and vice Chairman Chuck Fowler for getting the pitch in tip top condition and despite only drawing this game, Carlton manager Les McJannet will have been pleased with many aspects of this performance.

Carlton started brightly and it was no surprise when Craig Swinscoe gave Carlton the lead with a header from a corner, all be it badly defended by Gedling.

Carlton should have added to their lead but wasted chances and went into the interval 1-0 up. Former Arnold manager Andy Muldoon was among the spectators and he was quick to point out to Carlton Chairman Mick Garton that McJannet had already made some good signings, most notably Nick Hall who he had previously signed for Arnold.

Hall was one of many positives for Carlton but Gedling Miners Welfare are a decent outfit themselves and it should have come as no surprise to Carlton that having failed to kill them off, Gedling pulled level through the impressive Atkins who left West completely wrong footed as he made it 1-1 mid way through the 2^nd half. Cox should have won it for Carlton but blazed over after doing the hard work.

James Price had a good game for Carlton on the left and with Andy May on the right and Swinscoe stepping up a gear at the centre of defence, it was clear to see that this performance was a step in the right direction for the new manager.

Chairman Mick Garton, Secretary Paul Shelton and a handful of Carlton Town supporters made the short trip to South Notts College to see Manager Les McJannet trial another posse of players in this friendly game.

Carlton started brightly with new signing Hall Making his debut and Danny Hayes making up one of a back three after returning from his holiday. McDonald scored his second goal in a Carlton shirt before Bonnick having a run out with the Millers made it two. 

Some poor defending saw Carlton concede two quick goals and will have concerned the Carlton Manager but McDonald added his 2^nd from the penalty spot and Bonnick got his 2^nd and it was an entertaining 4-2 at the break.

McJannet once again made changes throughout the 2^nd half. Carlton conceded yet again as it went to 4-3 before Bonnick secured his hatrick. Ashley Winfield was given a run out in the 2^nd half and again did well while Craig Meakin showed some nice touches and kitchen as he did on Saturday showed why McJannet made him one of his first signings. 

McJannet still has a long way to go but is at least getting a look at new players in match play situations and will be no doubt be forming opinions on who he wants to sign, who cuts the mustard and who doesn’t. This process will no doubt continue over the next couple of weeks.

17TH JULY 2010 MCDONALD OPENS HIS ACCOUNT!

The New Era under Les Mcjannet began with him looking at trialists,squad players from last season and new signings and over 20 players were used in this first friendly.

Carlton started well with Ash Winfield impressive in midfield with good width from the wide players and the full backs with Liam Corrigan in particular getting up and down well.

Cox looked hungry up front and Mcdonald was causing all sorts of problems but it was good work by Gedlings Large who turned James Price and provided an excellent cross and Ben Middleton smashed the ball past Danny Marshall.

Geling made it two in two minutes through Ellison with Carlton all at sea at the back.

Middleton and Large continued to cause problems and Gedling finished the half strong.

In the 2nd period Mcjannet made a whole host of changes and Carlton looked stronger across the middle with Kitchen particually impressive.

Carlton looked to be getting close to pulling a goal back but the Gedling keeper was providing quite an obstacle and it was Gedling who struck on the break, Abbis making it 3-0 to the home side.

West had made one fine save in the Carlton goal but it was Mcdonald who finally got Carlton a goal back.

Kitchen hit the post with a cracking lob from close to the half way line and Carlton strung together some good passing moves with Leggit always looking for the ball and Naylor and once again Kitchen at the heart of it.

Massive credit must go to Gedling Town who were most impressive and very well organised under Manager Mick Gallaway, and it was an ideal tough game to start McJannet's preparation and he will have learnt quite abit from his first 90 minutes in charge.

"Lots of positives, lots to work on" said Coach Alan Sewell, that pretty much summed it up.