GRAYSON & WIGGIN-THOMAS STRIKE AS MILLERS TAME ZEBRAS

The goals came in either half and were just reward for a performance in which Carlton hit the woodwork on three occasions and at times threatened to overrun the Zebras. Just as pleasing for the home contingent was a clean sheet, only the second of the season.

Les McJannet made two changes to the side which won at Sutton Coldfield last time out. Ian Brown was unavailable so Neil Grayson enjoyed a second start in four games, and Theo Smith was suspended so Adam Kimberley started.

The Millers attacked from the start of what turned out to be a scrappy opening 45 minutes. Terry Hawkridge crossed in the seventh minute, the ball was cleared as far as Kimberley whose shot crashed against the crossbar.

Carlton didn’t have to wait long to open the scoring. On 14 minutes Wiggins-Thomas reacted well to a ricochet and advanced clear of the Brigg defence. As goalkeeper Tom Woodhead came out the striker went past him but found the angle too narrow to shoot. Instead he had the presence of mind to turn, look up, and pick out the supporting run of Neil Grayson who side-footed neatly into the net from 15 yards. At 47 years old, this might well be a record, either for Carlton Town or indeed the Northern Premier League.

The Millers pushed on against a Brigg side who worked hard but created little on the day. Good link up play between Daniel Fletcher, Hawkridge and Kimberley led to a whipped-in cross which Woodhead did well to intercept.

On 38 minutes Carlton came closest to doubling their lead when a neat chip by Josh Thornton was flicked by Ashley Grayson to Neil Grayson. The striker’s first-time volley was well saved by Woodhead.

Into the second half and the visitors created their best opportunity when a good move down the right led to a cross which was very well cleared by Thornton.

Back came the Millers and Kimberley’s cross was met by Ashley Grayson whose shot was cleared off the line by the Brigg defence.

On 58 minutes came the most astonishing miss. Wiggins-Thomas produced some magic to earn a corner which was taken by Hawkridge. The ball was hit to the near post where Neil Grayson produced a lovely flick-on to Wiggins-Thomas who found himself unmarked a yard from goal with the goalkeeper nowhere. Somehow the striker managed to head against the bar much to his own and everyone else’s amazement.

Ashley Grayson was next to miss as he took advantage of a poor back pass to run clean through on goal. However he scuffed his shot and the chance came to nothing.

With 12 minutes to go Wiggins-Thomas again hit the bar with a header from a corner although on this occasion he reacted extremely well to get to the ball at all.

Just as it looked as if the Millers would never add to their total, the second goal arrived. Hawkridge picked up the ball deep in his own half. He ran most of the length of the pitch and fired in a shot which Woodhead could only parry into the path of Wiggins-Thomas. The striker knocked the ball past the keeper towards the empty net and as Woodhead upended him the Millers’ claim for a penalty was unnecessary as the ball crossed the line despite the desperate attempts of Le-Roy Cochrane to keep it out.

As the game entered its closing stages, substitutes Robert Gill and Ricky Gardner (making his first appearance since returning from his travels) combined to good effect, with Gardener’s effort going just wide, and both Hawkridge and Fletcher put over excellent crossed which went begging as there was no one to convert the opportunities.

There was just time for Gardner to fire one more effort inches wide before the referee ended what had ultimately been a comfortable win for the Millers.

Carlton Town: Marshall, Thornton, Fletcher, Millns, Darkin, Hall, A Grayson (Goward 77), Hawkridge, Kimberley (Gill 81), N Grayson, Wiggins-Thomas (Gardner 81)

Goals: N Grayson 14, Wiggins-Thomas 80

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Neil Grayson

Att: 121