Carlton Town FC 3-1 Gedling Miners Welfare FC

Tuesday 4th August 2009 -- pre-season friendly.

This was the final pre-season game for Gedling MW who begin a second campaign in the East Midlands Counties League on Saturday at home to Holbrook MW. Carlton's UniBond Divison One South season commences a week later on the 15th August.

We paid our fiver to get in and noticed that although the car park was well populated, there weren't many people about.

Met up with Carlton's press officer Mr. Brian Dennett and Gedling's photographer/programme editor Mr. Tony Hay. It's always great to have a bit of banter and when Brian is involved, believe me, there is plenty! Apparently the Evening Post didn't want a report from Brian, but had asked Tony to snap a couple of action shots of Warren "Wiz" Hatfield ...... Gedling 1-0 up before the kick off!!!!

A spicy encounter followed on the pitch , with both sets of players happy to kick lumps out of each other -- in a good natured way of course!

I knew most of the players, but some were a mystery to me - one of them, the no. 10, had Carlton's first real chance on 12, capitalising on some poor defending and forcing a great save out of Lance Walker in the Welfare goal. Aiden Brady headed over in the 18th minute for Carlton with Walker well beaten.

Former Eastwood winger Tristam Whitman was running the show for the home team and at times the visitors' defence had no answer. Carlton went ahead on 23 after a Daniel Fletcher corner was headed powerfully home by DANNY MOORE.

Welfare didn't let this bother them too much, always a good sign. Hatfield went close a couple of minutes after the goal, and on 37 he latched onto a free-kick and hammered the ball off the foot of the post with Carlton keeper Ali Barcherini well beaten.

Gedling drew level in the 43rd minute and whatever you hear or read, the goal was NOT scored by Cragi Boulton! It was his wayward ball forward that was headed past Barcherini by defender DANIEL FLETCHER from 25 yards. That has to be one of the best own goals I have ever seen.... marvelous! H-T 1-1

As with most pre-season games the on pitch personel changed dramatically at half-time - and two of the Carlton replacement players, Paul Mitchell and Danny Blair, were responsible for restoring the home teams lead just 2 minutes into the 2nd half. Mitchell played a superb ball through a static Welfare defence finding BLAIR who controlled well before slotting past Walker.

Gedling changed almost all their outfield players and as the game drew to a close, striker Damien Powell should have made it 2 each, but headed hopelessly wide from just a couple of yards out.

Should have been 2-2 but it was Carlton who put the game to bed on 88 when DANNY MOORE hit a fierce drive through a crowd of players and the ball deflected past Walker to make it 3-1.

Decent game played in a very competitive manor - a good test for both teams as the new season looms even nearer.

Straight out at the final whistle and with Kev at the wheel we back home safely before 10 - although a numpty lady driver in a Range Rover did almost wipe us out on Moorbridge roundabout.... why do some people not understand how roundabouts work? This lady didn't know, and Kev thought it highly amusing that I would have been a nice soft cushion to protect him should the Range Rover have actually made contact with us.....who needs enemies with friends like that eh??

Thursday - Linby CW v Ollerton Town