Tuesday 10th March 2009

Carlton Town 3-0 Forest Town -- Notts F.A. Senior Cup 1/4 final

Carlton Town made it through to the semi-final stage of the Notts F.A. Senior Cup, but were made to fight for the victory by a very spirited Forest Town team.

A brace from Martin Ball and a gem from Dean Gent enough for the Millers.

First thing I need to do is apologise to the gateman at Carlton - I had a bit of a moan about being charged £6 to get in ....I am aware this is not his fault, but come on Carlton - charging the UniBond entrance fee for a game against a step 7 club is a bit out of order. Can you imagine if Notts County charged League 2 prices for the final? It is usually only £5 for the final. As it was only 44 bothered to turn out - strong competition from other local games plus Champs League on t'telly.

Still, we can thank the players for making it worth the entrance fee. The teams looked to have put their best 11's on from the start and both teams played very well -- plenty of skill on show from both sets of players.

Carlton almost had the dream start. The game was only 30 seconds old when a last ditch block by Forest Town keeper Jason Johnson kept the ball out. Straight after, Akers fed Chaplin who could only muster a weak effort that Johnson saved easily. On 15, Forest Town striker Craig Jackson saw his fierce drive saved well by Ali Bercherini in the Carlton net. The next passable chance fell to Carlton's Dean Gent - he was one-on-one with Johnson and decided to try and blast the ball past the keeper. Wrong decision, the ball smashed into the big frame of Johnson and went out for a corner.

The Millers went ahead in the 38th minute. A foul on Marquin Smith just outide the area gave the home team a free kick that MARTIN BALL fired through the wall and past Johnson. H-T 1-0

The visitors almost drew level 7 minutes into the second period - a great ball in from right back Mark Robinson headed just wide by Craig Jackson.

Carlton should have increased their lead on the hour, but Ball, unmarked, inexpicably fired over from 6 yards out. It was a superb far post cross from Aiden Brady that caught out the Forest Town defence, and Ball should have done better.

On 67, Gent saw his drive cannon off the backside of Bower, the deflection bringing out a neat diving save from Johnson. DEAN GENT did increase the Millers' lead on 73 though - a long ball out of defence found the midfield player in acres of space and as Johnson advanced 25 yards out to intercept, Gent calmly nipped around him and fired into the empty net from a tight angle.

4 minutes later it was all over. Anthony Robinson had replaced Brady on the left and his mazy run dazzled the visitors defenders, who could do nothing to stop the ball being played across the goal . Johnson made an effort to parry the cross, but the ball dropped to the feet of MARTIN BALL, giving him the easiest of tap ins at the far post. F-T 3-0

3-0 was a bit harsh on Forest Town, but they fought well and never gave up.

There was a bit of nonsense after the final whistle - someone receive a straight red card from Ref Mr. Plowright, but I have no idea who, or what for.

Admission £6 !!

Att 44

Tea/coffee £0.60 -- not bad at all 7/10

Programme - there was a programme, but didn't buy one.

Thursday, weather permitting - Kimberley Tn v Radcliffe Olympic