Carlton Town 4-3 Lincoln United

Tuesday 3rd November 2009 - UniBond Division One South


First cold night of the season - Kev is in there somewhere!!!!!

Tuesday night - great game, great company, decent banter ....but it was decidedly chilly night at the Bill Stokeld Stadium, home of Carlton Town. Opponents Lincoln United have, apparently, been struggling of late, but it didn't show as they took the game to their hosts early doors.

The visitors looked lively and made the home defence work hard, but it was Carlton who scored the games first goal on 14. Danny Blair ran one-on-one with United keeper Mario Ziccardi - the keeper did well to block the initial effort, but KARL SLACK was on hand to stroke home the loose ball from close range.

It was 2-0 in the 20th minute, this time poor defending allowing DANIEL BLAIR the chance to beat the advancing Ziccardi to the ball and although the keeper managed to get something on the ball, Blair beat Terry Fleming in a straight race to the ball and fired home.

Seconds later DEAN GENT hammered the ball home from 18 yards after it was rolled to him across the box. Great strike - I've seen that left-foot of Dean's hit a few crackers, but this was one of those that you know is in as soon as it's hit...

Lincoln had a great chance to claw their way back into the game on the half-hour, but Brendan McDaid's header from a Matt O'Halloran corner flew just over the bar. H-T 3-0

Tommy Brookbank decided to swap his full backs at the break, moving left back Terry Henshaw to right back, and right back Liam Corrigan to left back. Seemed a strange decision at the time and neither player looked too comfortable in their new roles. It took Lincoln just 10 minutes to add to this discomfort - Corrigan was well beaten allowing the ball to be played across the Carlton goal and TERRY HENSHAW, running towards goal, slid the ball past Barcharini. Not a bad OG as they go!

United then added a second on 69, giant SAM WILKINSON forcing the ball over the line as Carlton failed to deal with a free-kick from the right - a regulation goal mouth scramble, but Carlton had chances to clear their lines. Both teams played some decent football and the greasy pitch helped, although United's Steve Melton probably didn't think so after 84 minutes! Henshaw and Gent combined well down the right, but Melton won the ball, then slipped over allowing DEAN GENT a chance to rifle home.

SEAN CANN added a third for United on 88, slipping past Corrigan before firning home from an acute angle. As we we heading for the exit, Lincoln were awarded a free-kick about 20 yards from goal...... thoughts of a 4-4 came, then went just as quickly when the ball was hit 10 yards wide of the Carlton goal..... F-T 4-3

Special mention for referee Mr. Matt Marsh. We have seen Matt before and is one of the better referees at this level. He had a very good game, although the players' discipline was superb. One thing with Mr. Marsh is that he seems to know all the players Christian names.....that is either very good pre-game research or a very good memory!! Well done, Sir.....

Attendance - 74

Admission £7.00

Saturday -- first visit of the season to Gedling Town to see them entertain Heanor Town