After a week off to allow for FA Trophy fixtures, Carlton return to midweek league action against Long Eaton United this Tuesday.
The Millers sit fourth with four wins from their seven games played. Three of those wins have been on home turf including their last outing against Barwell, an eventful 3-2 victory. Goals have been the story of the Carlton season, at both ends of the field and its the goal difference of minus seven that raises the eyebrow. However, the Barwell game showed a renewed vigour and quality in the overall approach and doubtless the Millers will be hoping to build now on a generally positive start to the campaign. Curiously, the home side’s nine league goals have been scored by nine different scorers. The mini break might have provided time for last season’s top goalscorer, Ash Chambers to be in contention for a place in the match day squad as well as Ollie Clark, both of whom have missed several games with knocks. A positive result here for Carlton will be hugely beneficial for the confidence of the side as the next two games will see the Millers face two of the top three in the league.
Chambers was pipped to the golden boot in the league last season by Evan Garnett, who himself is a doubt for this game, the Blues striker having left the field midway through the first half in the weekend encounter with Basford United in which Long Eaton picked up their first point of the season. United occupy bottom spot in the league at this moment. They’ve lost all three of their away games played so far this year and have only managed three goals in the league to date.
Carlton won this fixture handsomely last season 4-1 thanks to an Ash Chambers hat trick. Based on how both sides have started this season, goals should be a guarantee.