NEWCASTLE TOWN 1-0 CARLTON TOWN

A hotly-disputed third minute penalty saw Carlton Town beaten 1-0 at Newcastle Town.

Daniel Fletcher was penalised for a foul on Aaron Bott, albeit contact was minimal at best and Jonny Kapend made no mistake from 12 yards.

It was harsh on the Millers who were the better side but in truth they failed to make home goalkeeper Raajan Gill make any serious saves and Castle themselves hit the post in the second half.

Manager Wayne Scott made two changes to the side which beat Bedworth last time out. Darol Lucas was suspended and Wilfried Gnahore started on the bench. In came Jack Oldham and Aaron Hooton.

Kapend’s penalty was the first action of the game as Carlton went behind.

They responded well and Hooton headed wide after a series of corners.

Jack Steggles did well to hold a free kick from Sam Bradbury but it was Carlton who were gaining the upper hand in the game and Danny Gordon fired a free kick inches over the bar.

Gordon had the ball in the net on 30 minutes – unfortunately for Carlton is was direct from a throw-in.

Two minutes later he had Carlton’s best chance of the half. Oldham sent over a great cross from the right and Gordon arrived at the far post with the goal gaping. He steered his effort wide of target to the dismay of the small band of travelling supporters.

Early in the second half Gordon’s long ball down the left was well-controlled by Hooton who cut in from the left touchline and forced a decent save from Gill.

At the other end Bott fired wide from 20 yards as Newcastle got back into the game.

A lovely move from the home side on 52 minutes saw Kapend feed Ollie Ritchie on the left. His fantastic cross should have been converted by Bott but his close range shot hit the post and was cleared.

Another good move led to Steggles saving Tom Urwin’s edge-of-the-box effort.

Scott made a double substitution, bringing on Gnahore and Kyle Stovell and Carlton regained the initiative.

Lawrence Gorman sent over a fine cross which James Askey did well to head away from Hooton.

Gnahore was then fouled by Kapend and when Gorman sent the free kick into the area Jake Carlisle found himself all alone six yards out but he placed his header wide of the post.

The Millers huffed and puffed but failed to force Gill into action again and indeed Steggles had to be alert to deny Bott as the home side saw out the game.

Carlton Town: Steggles, McNicholas, Fletcher, Gorman, Carlisle, Walker, Oldham, Elliott, Wilson (Stovell 63), Hooton, Gordon (Gnahore 63). Unused substitutes: Gibbons, Wallace, Schoenecker

Goals: Jonny Kapend 3

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Kieran Walker

Attendance: 107