WORKSOP TOWN 2-1 CARLTON TOWN - MATCH REPORT

Carlton Town exited the FA Cup at the first hurdle for the fourth year in succession as they went down 2-1 at Worksop Town.

Eddie Clarke had given the Millers the perfect start with a goal inside the first five minutes but Worksop responded strongly and were ahead by half time. Despite some concerted pressure in the second half the Millers were unable to fashion an equaliser, with Kyle Stovell going closest with a shot that hit the bar.

Manager Wayne Scott made two changes from the side which lost against Wisbech last time out with Daniel Fletcher and Ben Hutchinson both unavailable. Into the side came Kieran Walker and Niall Davie.

In front of an impressive 435 attendance with a decent following from Carlton, the Millers started the better and were ahead on five minutes. A long throw from Walker was cleared back to the Carlton captain. He got ahead of the goalkeeper, pulled the ball back to Clarke who rifled home from ten yards.

Davie was causing all sorts of problems for the home defence in the early stages but gradually Worksop’s midfield, led by the impressive Steve Wolley, took control of the game and overpowered Carlton’s 3-5-2 which quite often became 5-3-2.

The Tigers’ first chance fell to Brad Wilson who fired just wide after a cross by Kyle Jordan.

Soon after Worksop levelled from the penalty spot. Riece Bertram was adjudged to have brought down a Worksop player and Jordan fired home.

Worksop were now on top and a ricochet fell to Jordan whose shot drew a fine save from Jack Steggles.

The home side took the lead on 30 minutes. A free kick was awarded to the defensive right of the penalty area. Steve Woolley stepped up and fired the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net.

Scott moved Bertram into midfield in the second half and switched to 4-4-2. Carlton should have equalised within 40 seconds of the restart as another Walker long throw was cleared only as far as Khyle Sargent but the midfielder blasted high over the bar from just eight yards out.

Jordan Pick then fed Bertram whose shot from the edge of the box went just wide.

At the other end Matt Reay headed wide from a corner.

Scott introduced Stovell with half an hour remaining. He went closest to scoring on 71 minutes. A Davie cross was met by Sargent at the near post. The ball was cleared to Davie who fed Louis Tomlinson. His cross found Stovell whose fierce shot hit the crossbar.

Luke Smithson then played the ball to Aaron Opoku whose lovely feint and turn gave him the chance to run and cross but the ball was cleared away.

Worksop keeper David Reay then saved from Clarke while at the other end Connor Brunt fired over from close range.

There was a lot of huffing and puffing from Carlton but little in the way of clear chances and the hosts saw the game out relatively comfortably to seal their place in the First Round Qualifying draw.

Carlton Town: Steggles, Robinson, Tomlinson, Bertram, Clarke, Walker, Sargent, Pick (Stovell 60), Opoku, Smithson, Davie. Unused substitutes: Frost, Stokes, Tabreham

Goals: Clarke 5; Kyle Jordan 19 (pen), Steve Woolley 30

Carlton Town Supporters Club MOTM: Riece Bertram

Attendance: 435