Carlton travel to Notts Senior Cup holders, Hucknall Town this week in the second round of the County Cup.
The Millers brushed past Clifton All Whites in the opening round, a round in which the home side had a bye in recognition of their win in the final, a 4-3 penalty victory after an astonishing 6-6 draw after extra time against Newark & Sherwood United at Field Mill last season. That win was Hucknall’s seventh in the competition but they’ve had to wait since season 2002/3 but the drought was well and truly quenched with that remarkable win.
Form in the league coming in to this is starting to be of concern with heavy back to back losses of 5-1 and 4-0. They are eighth in the United Counties Prem North and without a win since the end of October. Town have lost six of the twelve league home games this year.
Carlton’s league form is good. They lead the Northern Prem Midlands currently and arrive here on the back of another away win at the weekend. The Millers away form is excellent in the league, they’ve only failed to take maximum points twice so far this year. Recent outings in the County Cup aren’t much source of celebration for Carlton though with meek, early exits at the hands of Basford and Sherwood Colliery respectively in the last two years. Prior to that the Millers were beaten finalists in 22/23 and winners in 21/22, their fourth title since their first ever cup win at this level in season 2012/13.