Carlton Town 1-2 Brigg Town

Tuesday 15th September 2009 -- UniBond Division One South

This was our first visit of the season to Stoke Lane - and we were a little disappointed to have visited when the home team had an "off" day. According to the local press and general scuttlebutt, Carlton have been playing really well and they picked up the UniBond Div One South team of the month award for August. In the first half though, the Millers were awful and could count themselves lucky to have been only one goal down at the break. They were better second half, but Brigg looked better in most departments and the final score was a fair reflection of the game.

The opening minutes were fairly stale - Brigg had their first real chance on 11 when Karl Slack fired a shot across home keeper Ali Barcherini, but just wide of the far post. Three minutes later, Carlton's Anthony Griffiths forced visiting stopper Jody Barford into a save, but it was Brigg who took the lead on 15. A fiercely driven 25 yard free-kick took a deflection off the Carlton wall - although Barcherini did well to block the initial shot, the ball went loose and the superb KARL SLACK was on hand to loft the ball into the roof of the net from 4 yards, with the home defenders standing and watching.

On the half-hour mark, Carlton defender Craig Swinscoe misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Slack to run in on goal - Slack managed to get his effort on target from an acute angle, but Barcherini saved well.

Carlton should have levelled on 33 when Dean Gent's free-kick was headed on by Michael Martin to Justin Jenkins. The striker had the simple task of nodding home from a few yards out, but could only steer the ball wide of the upright. Brigg defender Charles Fisher, on loan from Doncaster Rovers, showed a clean pair of heels to Carlton's Terry Henshaw before firing the ball in across the goal. Slack connected, but his effort flew wide of the goal. Just before the half-time whistle, Slack beat Swinscoe all ends up before firing a cracking drive against the angle of post and bar. H-T 0-1

Carlton were presented with a bottle of champers and a framed certificate at half-time -- and they showed from the start of the second period a little of the form that earned them the team of the month award. They were level on 58 - a great ball in from the unusually quiet Aiden Brady was flicked on by Gent to ANTHONY GRIFFITHS who, with back to goal, executed the perfect over-head kick from 8 yards out. Neither Barford or his defenders could do anything about the goal - this shot either ends in glory or nothing. On this occasion it was glory, but when Jordan Blair tried the same thing twice in quick succession soon after, he failed miserably.

Blair had an orthodox shot well saved by Barford, but it was the visitors who went back to Lincolnshire with the three points after a superb solo goal from winger DANIEL BARRETT. He collected the ball on the left and awas allowed space to run into before firing a shot wide of Barcherini's despairing dive. F-T 1-2

Brigg were impressive and Carlton improved second half, but overall it was Brigg players that caught the eye. Karl Slack was a thorn in the Carlton backline all through the game and strike partner Chris Rodgers was a perfect foil - his running off the ball quite magnificent.

Admission £7

Attendance 75

Tea - Kev didn't moan, so it must have been ok!!

Saturday -- Our first visit to Eagle Valley -- Arnold v Kimberley in the Vase ...