Clinical Carlton on Top of 'Bridge

Boroughbridge AFC 1, Carlton Athletic 2

West Yorkshire Premier League – 23.03.08

"What is defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to something better" - Wendell Phillips (1811 - 1884). Against a team seemingly destined to be Champions, on a day of four seasons in 90 minutes, and with the bare bones of a side to pick from, it is hoped that something better can now follow. Two successive weekends of ignominious defeats didn't give much hope of anything against such formidable opposition, but despite all the obstacles, Daz Ekin's men matched Carlton and more for large period's of the game yet fell to two Danny King goals as Carlton stuck to their task and struck for all three points. If 'Bridge can learn something from the visitors then the future might just be ok after all.

With a large number of regular first teamers unavailable Ekin was forced to consider recuperating Club Captain Paul Vincent, and named himself as a sub when Marcus Philpott called in sick on the morning of the game. Danny Webster (hip), Ben Clayton (ankle) and Chris Stephenson (broken toe) are still sidelined whilst Baz O'Neill is absent through work commitments. Whether Vinno wanted or expected such an extended run out on his return was taken out of his hands when Steve Coghlin limped off after half an hour; as the only fit substitute other than the Gaffer, he duly obliged and showed that he will soon be back to his pre-injury form. Slotting straight into the right back position he looked to be running freely and reading the game as if he'd not been away at all. Danny King is a key for Carlton and it is easy to see why his strike rate is so good. A tireless worker, he is happy to run straight at defenders when nothing else looks to be on, and with his pace and power he is bound to make things happen

Under ominous dark skies, with a cutting wind blowing to remind us that winter isn't spent, early pressure from 'Bridge set the tone for the opening encounters. The home side could indeed have had a dream start when Paul Eagling was picked out accurately by Lewis Whittaker but was only able to put his shot into the ground, and two early corners were wasted. However Carlton aren't 14 points clear in the League for no reason, and their forward players were quick to pounce on anything and go for goal, John Ward being the first to try his luck in the 5th minute with a snap shot from 25 yards. Almost immediately Eagling had another great opportunity, collecting a ball following some great work by Andy Layton on the right wing, but despite controlling the ball on his chest and letting it drop, his shot to the left of the keeper was well caught by Chris Young stretching high to his right. With the battle being fought in midfield, chances were always going to be at a premium, but King made light of that. He pounced on hesitation in the Bridge defence to drive straight towards Alastair Hogg giving him no chance with a powerful drive low past the keeper inside the right hand post for the lead on 11 minutes. It was a blow after such a promising start, but in truth Carlton seemed to get someone on the end of everything into the box all afternoon, so even the slightest hesitation was going to be risky. For their part, Bridge were promising in attack, Layton trying from 20 yards and some good work from Charles Walbrook on the left forcing a block from Young before laying off to Ben Darville who was just unable to stretch to the ball when handily placed.

On the half hour Coghlin limped off with an ankle injury to be replaced by Vincent, Layton switching from right to left back. As the clock ticked by though, Carlton continued to make chances; Ashley Beck volleying over the bar from the edge of the area; Craig Hewitt rising and heading powerfully but over the bar; Paul Arkle diving to head at Hogg, and King failing to control to increase his tally. Ward followed a 20th minute 30 yard effort by finishing the half with two close efforts, the first from 30 yards forcing Hogg to palm the ball away for a corner, and from that corner putting a 25 yard effort to the right of the post. Towards the end of the half he was also involved in a minor scuffle with Layton that saw referee Bennett put both men in his book. The match was there to be won by either side and Daz Ekin could not have asked for more from his side other than a goal (or three).

Half Time – Boroughbridge AFC 0, Carlton Athletic 1

Early play in the second half gave a similar pattern, with good early possession from Bridge but Carlton scoring to disrupt the flow. Indeed, a fumble from a Darville shot in the 48th minute following a good setup by Thirkell could have gone anywhere but Young was relieved to see it roll past his left post. Two minutes on and the same two went for a ball into the area, Thirkell seeming to get in the way of Darville when it seemed a goal must be easier. Dobson and Ward both tested Hogg, before Steve Tovey and Layton closed down another run by King to keep the game open. It didn't take King long after though, and in the 59th minute he floated a cross into the box from a free kick which dropped untouched over the head of Hogg who couldn't adjust his feet quickly enough to get more than a hand to it before it nestled in the bottom right hand side of the net. It was cruel on Bridge, who were still competing well in midfield but were unable to find the attacking capabilities of the visitors. Ward shot over the bar again, Hewitt was dispossessed by Hogg in a one-on-one, and Richard Dobson shot wide, whilst for Bridge Andy O'Hare couldn't control the ball and Darville put over the bar. Walbrook seemed to have drifted out of the game at this point, but after Darville ran superbly past several defenders, he was able to pick up the ball and lob the ball from some 40 yards on the right wing over the static Young to put his side right back in it on 83 minutes. Sadly though, the rest of the half belonged to Carlton who tested Hogg with a Dobson header, and a King through ball to Lee Turner who saw his shot hit the post. With a minute to go, King proved he was human when he was ruled offside on one of his surging runs and kicked the ball past Hogg in frustration, earning himself a place in the referee's little book of miscreants. A switch by Bridge to a three man midfield allowed Carlton to win the late midfield skirmishes and they held on comfortably for another major step towards their League title.

After two awful displays, excellent performances throughout the team gave hope of better things to come - a promising return from Vincent; excellent defensive work by Layton and Tovey; Lewis Whittaker looking composed in the midfield rightly earning Man of the Match, and excellent running from Darville. Maybe on a different day our strikers might have had more joy but it wasn't to be. Carlton march on; the home side must hope that this defeat can prove to be educational and a stepping stone to emulating their guests in the very near future.

Full Time – Boroughbridge AFC 1, Carlton Athletic 2

Man of Match – Lewis Whittaker

Boroughbridge AFC - A Hogg, A Layton, S Coghlin, D Purvis, S Tovey, D Thirkell, B Darville, L Whittaker, C Wallbrook, P Eagling, A O'Hare. Subs - P Vincent, D Ekin, T Coles
Goal Scorer – Walbrook 83

Carlton Athletic –C Young, R Petts, W Jackson, J Methenitis, A Beck, R Dobson, J Ward, P Arkle, C Hewitt, D King, M Connol. Subs - L Toumes, P Gaughman, L Turner, S Good
Goals Scorer – King 11 & 59