Coleshill Town 1-1 Carlton Town (Northern Premier League Midlands Division) 08.01.22

An own-goal from Niall Rowe saw Carlton Town pick up a point in a 1-1 draw at Coleshill Town.

The Millers left Warwickshire ruing a number of missed opportunities, particularly in the first half, that should have seen them win the game comfortably.  As it was, having gone behind early in the second half, they showed enough spirit to more than merit a share of the spoils.

Managers Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey made two changes to the side which had beaten Daventry last time out, with Jared Holmes and captain Tom Maddison replacing Danny Elliott and Khyle Sargent.  There was a place on the bench for recent signing Aaron O’Connor.

Backed by an impressive number of travelling supporters, Carlton started much the better and Tyler Blake drew a decent save from home goalkeeper Paul Hathaway on just three minutes after a quick-fire shot from an Aaron Opoku lay-off.

Tyler Johal, impressive throughout, then sped down the left before crossing into the danger area only for Rowe to clear.

Blake then turned provider, crossing from the left to Nat Watson whose first-time volley flew just over the bar.

The Millers came desperately close to opening the scoring just before the half hour when the excellent Watson sent Blake clear of the Coleshill defence.  Blake drew the goalkeeper before lifting the ball over him and towards the goal, only to turn away in anguish as the ball hit the post.

Little was seen of Coleshill as an attacking force.  Maddison and Holmes were controlling the centre of midfield and having fine games and Toby Moore and Dan Brown were as solid as ever in the middle at the back.  Lawrence Gorman was also having a fine game on the right, looking to get forward.

Indeed, Carlton almost scored on the stroke of half time when Opoku went on a great run but once again the cross into the penalty area was well-defended.

Still there was time to fashion another chance and once again Opoku was involved, crossing from the right to Watson who ghosted in at the far post as he had done when he scored against Daventry but this time he put his shot wide.

Carlton began the second half just as well as they had done the first.  Niall Davie saw a deep cross cause Hathaway trouble and he was forced to tip it over the bar.  From Davie’s resulting corner Johal headed over from a good position.

Opoku then advanced again, fed Watson who slipped a lovely pass into the path of Blake.  The striker really should have hit it first time but he elected to cut inside, mis-controlled and the chance was gone.

That was Watson’s last action of a fine game as he went off injured, replaced by O’Connor.

The Colemen then had their first real spell of pressure in the match and a dangerous cross from the right saw Fraser Doyle fluff a good opportunity.

Another Coleshill break down the right was only cleared by a fine header from Brown but shortly afterwards the home side took the lead.  There seemed little danger when full back Amarvir Sandhu cut in from the left but his cross-cum-shot seemed to take a deflection on its way past Kieran Preston.

Carlton brought on Elliott and Alex Howes to add energy and Blake volleyed just over after a fine ball into the area from Gorman.

O’Connor was making a nuisance of himself and the Millers continued to press forward and the equaliser duly arrived with 15 minutes remaining.  A superb Davie free kick from the left was bundled over the line by a combination of Blake, Moore and Rowe with Rowe ultimately being credited with an own goal.

Both sides looked to try and create a winner and it was Carlton who went closest in added time when O’Connor picked up a Gorman pass, took a step and fired in a shot destined for the corner of the net until it took a deflection and missed the post by inches.

On the final whistle the team took the well-earned applause from the vocal Millers travelling support.

Carlton Town: Preston, Gorman, Johal, Brown, Moore, Holmes, Watson (O’Connor 49), Maddison (Elliott 59), Opoku (Howes 68), Blake, Davie.

*Article provided by Sky Blue Miller.

*Main image @CTFC1904 Coleshill Town FC’s Pack Meadow Ground.