December 2018
Carlton Town 1-3 Belper Town
December would begin with a visit to Stoke Lane by Belper Town. The opposition would show that they were a vibrant and energetic team and prove to be tough opponents for Carlton Town. The game was not by any count an epic but it certainly was eventful with the home team missing good opportunities to gain any advantage early on. The away team, however would capitalise on their good build up and eventually end up triumphant.
Six days later the club would hold their annual Christmas luncheon with three guest speakers in the form of Les Bradd, Brian Stubbs and former Scottish International and World Cup player Don Masson. All three former Notts County legends would appear at the club with sponsors, committee men, and guests in order to raise funds whilst sharing their memories from the beautiful game. The function was a complete sell-out and was a day that was well enjoyed by everyone attending.
Carlton Town 2-2 Marske United
The following day would see the team host Marske United in a league fixture and both teams would provide a very entertaining game in poor weather conditions and on a very soft pitch. The encounter was to be an end to end battle with Carlton twice having to come from behind to achieve a draw. It was a match that very few did not enjoy and where the majority attending and involved would describe as a thriller.
Wisbech Town 1 -2 Carlton Town
Next up would be an away trip to Wisbech Town in Cambridgeshire where The Millers were involved in a wind swept and very wet game at the Fenlands. Carlton would take the lead through an Ollie Clarke goal which would then be cancelled out five minutes later with Clarke conceding a free-kick leading up to the home side’s equaliser to ensure the score was level at half-time. Again both teams worked hard and produced a very entertaining game for the supporters in attendance. The game eventually saw Ben Hutchinson hit the winner with twelve minutes remaining in what was a very close fixture.
Carlton Town 0-1 Tadcaster Albion
Tadcaster would arrive at Stoke Lane a week later looking to avenge their home defeat on the opening game of the campaign back in August. And again as all the previous fixtures over the last few weeks the weather and the very soft pitch would not stop both opponents contesting a very tight encounter. The visitors would enact their revenge with a goal seven minutes before the break and go on to gain a hard fought victory on a day where there was very little between the two teams.
A.F.C Mansfield 4-3 Carlton Town
A Boxing day fixture prevailed next for the Millers and a trip up the road to Mansfield beckoned. Carlton would twice take the lead in the first half to give them the edge at half-time. The home side played some tidy football at times and pressured and pursued at every opportunity,forcing Carlton into mistakes that eventually would see the away team fall to a last minute winner.
In all it was to be a frustrating month on the pitch for the team and the hope that the New Year will bring around a change of fortunes and results is hopeful. The team will now look to January with two fixtures in Yorkshire,two home games at Stoke Lane and a senior cup tie away at Newark near the end of the month.
Forthcoming Fixtures
- 5th Jan Pickering Town(a)
- 12th Jan Stamford(h)
- 19th Jan Ossett United(a)
- 22nd Jan Newark Flowserve(a)
- 26th Jan Cleethorpes Town(h)
- All fixtures are 3 PM kick-off with the exception of the Newark fixture which starts at 745 PM.
