Stamford’s last game before the festivities begin ends in a scrappy draw.
Five minutes in and the visitors had the first chance of the game as a Jake Duffy corner picked out Brad Wells whose header was blocked on the goal line by Delroy Gordon who the referee then judged to have committed a foul on the keeper. In an uneventful first-half Carlton had their first chance after 30 minutes as Kaylum Mitchell’s header was easily saved by Dan Haystead. Three minutes later and a great Jake Duffy pass found Liam Adams who was in on goal, his shot went low to the keeper’s right, forcing a good save from the keeper who pushed the ball away from the onrushing Brad Wells.
On the 37th minute Jordan Smith played the ball through to Liam Adams who expertly picked out Brad Wells who finished at full stretch to put Stamford one up. A minute later and a long ball was flicked on by Brad Wells to Rob Morgan whose header was easily saved by the Carlton keeper. The final chance of the half came to Jake Duffy whose long range free-kick was missed by everyone forcing Jack Steggles to put it out for a corner.
Six minutes after the break Ben Hutchinson cut inside from the wing before rifling a shot into the bottom corner. Three minutes later Kieran Walker cut inside from the opposite flank before blazing his shot over. Three minutes later and Carlton really should have gone into the lead. A long ball over the top forced Dan Haystead to come charging out of his goal, he didn’t get there before the onrushing Carlton attacker who knocked the ball round him before shooting into the side netting. On the 61st minute Stamford had their first chance of the second half as Jake Duffy played a great ball through to Ben George who crossed towards Brad Wells but the cross was blocked, only to fall to Jordan Smith but he could only shoot wide. Following this Liam Adams and Mike Armstrong were replaced by Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson and Sam Hollis.
Two minutes later Kaylum Mitchell put a header well over the bar for the home side. On the 72nd minute Delroy Gordon was forced to make a goal saving challenge as Jordan Wilson was played in on goal. On the 78th minute Kaylum Mitchell almost gifted a goal to the visitors as he ran into his own box looking for a route out following a corner, he was dispossessed by Sam Hollis who played the ball to Rob Morgan who shot wide. A minute later and Stamford had another golden opportunity, this time Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson was played in on goal before he put his shot well wide. The final chance of the game fell to the visitors as a Ben George cross was cleared out for a corner just as Sam Hollis was about to tap in on the slide.
In stoppage time the Daniels were reduced to ten men as Jordan Smith was given a second yellow card.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | Basford United | 42 | 100 |
2. | Alvechurch | 42 | 85 |
3. | Frickley Athletic | 42 | 82 |
4. | Bedworth United | 42 | 74 |
5. | Chasetown | 42 | 73 |
6. | Stamford | 42 | 71 |
7. | Leek Town | 42 | 68 |