PETERBOROUGH SPORTS 1-4 CARLTON TOWN - MATCH REPORT

Carlton Town ended their winless run in some style with a 4-1 victory at Peterborough Sports.

The Millers, without a win in six games, survived an opening half hour when they were firmly under the cosh. Indeed, had the home side taken some of the numerous chances they created in that period, the outcome could well have been different. But they didn’t and the Millers punished them in emphatic style.

Manager Wayne Scott named an unchanged side from the team which drew with Frickley last time out.

The Turbines began this first meeting between the sides on top and Jack Steggles made a fine double save from Mark Jones and Jordan MacLeod as early as the fourth minute.

Carlton took the lead against the run of play on 11 minutes. There seemed little danger when Jordan Wilson chased down a back pass but as goalkeeper Aaron Butcher went to clear the ball bobbled on the uneven surface and Wilson stole in to slot home from a narrow angle.

Kaylum Mitchell, impressive all night, then laid the ball back for Daniel Fletcher to cross to the back post where Wilson headed just wide.

Sports attacked and Avelino Viera went around Kieran Walker before firing into the side netting.

Peterborough levelled on the quarter-hour. A long ball played across to the right saw MacLeod hold off Fletcher. Steggles came to the edge of his box but MacLeod beat him to the ball and squared for Viera to tap into the empty net.

The goal inspired the home side who fizzed all over the pitch in search of a second goal. Carlton were forced onto the back foot to keep the home side at bay.

Steggles did well to tip a header from Jones over the bar following a corner. From the resulting corner Liam Marshall placed a free header wide of the goal from six yards.

Scott had to replace the injured Fletcher with Jake Carlisle on 35 minutes but within a minute Carlton were back in front. Danny Elliott played a lovely ball into the right wing position for Wilson to run onto. He sent a superb cross to the back post where Wilfried Gnahore rose highest to head home in front of the travelling support.

The goal seemed to take the sting out of Peterborough and Carlton pushed on. With the game well into the second and final added minute of the first half, Mitchell went on a jinking run across the pitch and into the Sports penalty area. As he looked set to shoot he was brought down by David Cobb and Danny Gordon fired home the penalty with the last kick of the half.

The Millers switched to three at the back in the second half and were generally in control of the game. Mitchell once again ran through the home defence and played an attempted one-two with Wilson which was intercepted by Marshall.

Ashley Robinson hit a decent shot from 20 yards which Steggles did well to hold but Carlton looked comfortable.

The Millers confirmed their victory with a fourth goal on 59 minutes. Mamoke Akaunu had only been on the pitch a minute. He was fed the ball in the area, brushed off a challenge and fired into the corner from 15 yards.

Carlisle made an excellent tackle on Robinson to keep Sports away from goal while at the other end Mitchell went on another great run before firing inches wide.

The Turbines still created some half chances from set pieces and Joshua Sanders headed wide from a free kick while Steggles tipped over another Jones header.

As the game reached its conclusion Lewis Webb headed over the bar while Mitchell saw Marshall block another of his efforts before the referee blew his whistle to signal celebrations amongst the visiting contingent.

Carlton Town: Steggles, McNicholas, Fletcher (Carlisle 35), Schoenecker, Bertram, Walker, Mitchell, Elliott, Wilson (Akaunu 58), Gnahore (Mutibvu 74), Gordon. Unused substitutes: Gibbons, Stovell

Goals: Jordan Wilson 11, Wilfried Gnahore 36, Danny Gordon 45 (pen), Mamoke Akaunu 59; Avelino Viera 15

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Kaylum Mitchell

Attendance: 136