Venue: Bob Stokeld Stadium, Stoke Lane, Gedling, Nottinghamshire
Competition: Evo-Stik Division 1 South
Referee: Mr. Guy Stretton
Scorers:
Millers - Lee Potts (11)
Sheffield - Ash Longstaff (20,33), Joel Purkiss (32), Richard Stirrup (70)
Line-ups
Before I say anything else about this game, I want to thank all three teams for their performances - well played Carlton and Sheffield FC, but also a big thumbs up to match officials Guy Stretton, Imran Khan and Steve Kings. I might bitch about how much it is to go to see an Evo-Stik game, but on this occasion, all three teams were superb and it was well worth every single penny of the £8 entry fee.
Cold night, with a glorious full-moon
The game began at a breathless pace, and Carlton forced visiting keeper Joe Green into making a couple of decent saves in the early minutes. Sheffield didn't work Curtis McDonald too hard at the other end, but they showed enough to make you think this was going to be a tough game for the home team.
LEE POTTS opened the scoring on 11, sending a 20 yard drive low and hard across Green, the ball cannoning off the base of the post before flying into the net.
Aaron Hooton had a great chance to increase the Millers' lead with 17 played, but after winning the ball just inside the box, the striker could only manage to hit a tame effort straight at Green.
Sheffield still hadn't forced McDonald into making a save, but they levelled the score on 20, ASH LONGSTAFF rising well in front of goal to head home Tim Whittaker's superb left wing cross.
With the visitors now playing some really great football it seemed it would be only a matter of time before they went ahead. On the half hour mark, JOEL PURKISS hit a terrific effort from the corner of the area that curled just wide of the Carlton goal, but the next attack saw him nip in at the near post to convert Ben Algar's cross, after the nippy winger had forced his way down the right before cutting into the box.
Seconds later it got even worse for the home team when LONGSTAFF hammered the ball past McDonald from the edge of the box - James Gregory's superb control and turn giving him time and space to pick out the big man. H-T 1-3
McDonald's first proper save of the game came on 57, the keeper having to dive at his near post to keep out an in-swinging corner from the left. Anton Robinson hit a fierce drive at Green as Carlton looked to get back into the game, but the keeper gathered well, the ball nestling in his midriff.
With 65 minutes played, Sheffield were awarded a free-kick some 25 yards from goal. Gregory struck the ball well enough, but it flew just wide of the post, then the next attack saw Longstaff lift the ball way over the bar after he had latched onto a cross from Algar.
It was game over on 70 - Carlton lost possession in midfield and the ball broke down the left to Longstaff, who rolled a perfect pass into the box where RICHARD STIRRUP was on hand to collect and turn before drilling the ball into the back of the net. F-T 1-4
Admission: £8.00
Programme: couldn't afford one!
Attendance: 80 ( thought there would be more on a night where there was so little local football on offer)
Charity: £3.75
MOM: Sheffield's tricky winger James Gregory
