Carlton are on their travels once more this weekend and put their excellent away record to the test as the face AFC Rushden & Diamonds at the Hayden Road Stadium. And a test it will be as there are only five sides who have a better home record than the hosts.
These two last met just over a month ago at a rain ravaged Stoke Lane which proved a great advert for non league. The Millers winning 3-2 in the end but the Diamonds enjoyed large spells of possession and some excellent chances to take something from that game. Since then, the hosts have profited from a good run in November. Wins against Coleshill and Rugby Town as well as draws with Lichfield City and Basford last weekend mean the home side have created space above the drop zone and are firmly looking up the league table. A couple more wins and they could be in play off conversations. Diamonds supporters might well think their side unfortunate too despite the improving outlook. It was only an 87th minute equaliser which meant they didn’t beat Lichfield and having played against 10 men of Basford for an hour last weekend and having had a penalty saved, the table might have been all the more positive. They haven’t conceded for three straight games now though and that’s a record only bettered by Belper.
Carlton earned a shut out last weekend in their 1-0 win against Rugby Borough. Over the course of the year so far, only three sides have a better defensive record than the league leaders. The Millers have won the last four games since defeat to Coleshill, have only lost once away from home all year, they are on a run of six straight wins on the road and have scored the most goals in the division alongside RC Warwick. Recent form for these sides therefore suggests another close encounter.