CARLTON TOWN 0-1 WISBECH TOWN - MATCH REPORT

A second minute goal from Aaron Hart condemned Carlton Town to a 1-0 defeat at home to Wisbech Town.

Hart volleyed home unmarked from close range after Riece Bertram had headed on a long throw and despite having 88 minutes to retrieve the situation, the Millers were unable to breach a resolute Fenmen defence.

Manager Wayne Scott named an unchanged side from the team which won at Tadcaster last time out while Wisbech arrived at Stoke Lane for this first ever meeting between the sides seeking their first Northern Premier League points after an opening day defeat against Frickley.

It was the Fenmen who started much the better and Hart’s goal was the first shot of the game.

The visitors should have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards but Michael Frew headed wide at the back post with a clear sight of goal.

It took Carlton until midway through the half to mount any kind of threat to the Wisbech goal but when they did Aaron Opoku passed up a glorious chance to equalise. The striker ran on to Louis Tomlinson’s threaded pass and did really well to hold off Sam Murphy and run clear on goal. But with goalkeeper Daniel Swan coming off his line Opoku tried to lift the ball over him but miscued his shot high over the bar. There was the suspicion of a bobble but the striker should have done better.

On the half hour an Oliver Robinson free kick was only partially cleared and Ben Hutchinson hit a shot that was well saved by Swan.

Swan was called on again on the stroke of half time as he got down to save a fierce angled drive by Sargent Khyle.

The Millers pushed forward in the second half and Opoku beat Swan to a free kick before firing at goal only to see the covering Murphy chest the ball off the line.

Robinson then crossed to the far post where Tomlinson’s volley flew past Swan and inches wide of the post.

Carlton claimed a penalty on 75 minutes when Opoku seemed to be bundled to the floor by Swan in the six-yard box after a header by Bertram. The referee waved away appeals and with the loose ball just waiting to be netted, no-one from the home side was following up.

Scott brought on Kyle Stovell and he had an immediate impact, hitting a fierce drive from the edge of the box which drew a fine reaction save from Swan.

By now it was all Carlton, with the visitors happy to protect what they had and take time off the clock at every opportunity.

With the game in the final minute of normal time Edward Clarke saw his flick hit the outstretched arm of Murphy. Vociferous appeals for a penalty followed and were again ignored to Carlton’s frustration.

Stovell was denied again by Swan in added time as the keeper came out bravely at his feet and in the eighth minute of added time Opoku hit a free kick into the wall as time ran out for the Millers.

Carlton Town: Steggles, Robinson, Fletcher (Walker 67), Bertram, Clarke, Pick, Khyle, Smithson (Stovell 77), Opoku, Hutchinson, Tomlinson. Unused substitutes: Frost, Stokes, Davie

Goals: Aaron Hart 2

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Riece Bertram

Attendance: 94