BOROUGHBRIDGE AFC 6 CARLTON ATHLETIC 2
‘Bridge continued their good start to the season with a late flurry of goals giving them a convincing victory over champions of two years ago, Carlton, at their Aldborough Road on Saturday afternoon. They started off the better only to go behind on 9 minutes when Danny King capitalized on a Marcus Philpott mistake to set up Fule Matyas for the opener. Martin Hutchinson then produced a fine save from Nick Braithwaite but it was Carlton who should have gone further ahead as King blazed over after a Ben Mudd error left him clear on goal. With Carlton now in the ascendency Alastair Hogg produced two fines and he was then involved in the equalizer on 34 minutes when his long clearance was flicked on by Paul Eagling for Baz O’Neill to level matters. This proved to be a pivotal moment in the match as the impetus shifted towards ‘Bridge who came out after half-time fired up and inside five minutes O’Neill failed to beat Braithwaite when through on goal. Four minutes later weaved his way past a couple of defenders to force Braithwaite into a full length save but he was unable to hold on o the close range effort and Danny Webster was on hand to slam the ball into an empty net. It got better on 66 minutes as Hutchinson found Eagling and another mazy run from the striker together with an acute angled strike gave Bridge a two goal cushion. Bridge looked comfortable as Carlton tried to force their way back into the game but could do nothing about their second in the 73rd minute when Matyas unleashed a monster volley from outside the area that sailed past an outstretched Hogg. With memories of letting a two goal advantage slip in the injury time at Whitkirk Wanderers Bridge looked a little edgy and the visitors sensed a slight momentum shift. Their efforts, though, came to no avail as ‘Bridge slowly clawed back the advantage and when the Carlton keeper could only parry a Hutchinson shot on 83 minutes the predatory Webster was on hand to regain Bridge’s two goal advantage. It got better for the home side as Eagling added his second after another magical run, Ryan Watts then missed a sitter before O’Neill added his second from close range when Carlton failed to clear a flurry of shots. The win put ‘Bridge top of the league on goals scored but Manager Daz Ekin is not getting carried away as he is fully aware that his squad needs strengthening if they are to maintain their positive start.
MOM PAUL EAGLING