Carlton Colville Town 2 Norton Athletic Reserves 2

Norton pegged back in final game

Norton Reserves concluded their season with a battling draw at Walmer Road but in truth it should have been all three points as we missed a 1 on 1 whilst winning 2-1 and conceded the equalising goal in the 89th minute.

Despite the first team having no game we were unable to call upon any of the resources as the 6 game, 21-day rule meant no one could drop down therefore meaning the side could only muster a bare 11, this a rule that divides clubs and not brings them together?

On a bobbly pitch the opening exchanges were fairly even, and the first notes were taken in the 8th minute as Norton’s Chris Law followed a forward run with a low shot that was held by the keeper at the near post.

Carlton were giving their all and their lively number 8 causing all sorts of problems but it was the big number 10 that saw their first effort of note firing straight at Glen Fisher from 20 yards.

Scott Raven was having a lively game down the right for Norton and he burst into the box before drawing a save from the Carlton keeper.

It was then the turn of the home side to attack and there looked real danger when they broke through after 20 minutes, but Mike Rushmer did really well to get back and make a great sliding tackle in the Norton box to force the corner that was dealt with by the Norton defence.

The opening goal arrived in the 24th minute and it was for Norton as Chris Law played a fine defence splitting pass to Chris Read who had cut in from the left and remained composed to slot the ball low past the keeper into the far corner.

Norton were now looking the more dangerous team and swiftly followed up with another effort this time from James Aldrich who turned and struck an early shot from distance. The keeper was equal to it but fluffed his lines and dropped the ball for a corner that was dealt with.

Carlton came forward again and another long-range effort looked well wide, so much so that Fishy left the ball and it clipped the post before falling to safety and with that Norton held the advantage at half time.

The second half started and within 1-minute Carlton were back on terms as an early strike from 18 yards beat Fishy in goal.

The game then entered a period of stalemate and in truth it was Carlton that were now looking the more dangerous side but Norton held firm and in fact regained the lead on the counter in the 65th minute. Again, it was Chris Law with the assist as he played the ball forward to Scott Raven who ran on to slot the ball over the advancing keeper.

Norton then worked another nice move from a free kick position with James Aldrich heading on and Chris Law seeing his volley high over the bar.

The game entered the 72nd minute and really it should have been 3-1 with Chris Law now playing further forward worked the space and found himself central one on one with the keeper but his weak shot saw the keeper save with his legs to keep Carlton in the game.

This save proved crucial as the game entered the latter stages Norton were starting to tire and for the second game running we conceded a late equalising goal as the Calrton pressure ultimately led to them working the ball to the left before firing home through a crowd of players.

In truth a draw probably, a fair result but Norton can take pride from the last two performances in what has been a difficult season at times.

The Midas MoM: Chris Law.