05/10/2015
H-K-L North Midlands Development League – U21 Division
H-K-L North Midlands Development League – U21 Division
by Rich Williams
A last minute screamer from Mohammed Tijani secured all three points on a very wet night in South Nottingham. Carlton Town were the early pace setters in the H-K-L North Midlands Development Football League but having taken ten points from their first four games they were powerless in the 2nd half as Staveley put on a masterclass to steal the points at Stoke Lane. Consequently the Trojans remain the only side in the league who have a 100% record, they have however only played twice.
A healthy crowd, which included Trojan’s first team manager Brett Marshall, coach Tony Cooke along with celebrity guest Joe Pesci were more than entertained by a very competitive game.
The home side were certainly in the ascendency for the first half hour of the game and they should have been two up in the first five minutes as Matt Robinson allowed Jason Law too much time to get into the area, his weak shot however was easy for Butt.
Butt then kicked the ball straight at Tola Odedoyin but the Carlton striker rushed his effort and dragged it wide of the upright when he should have done much better. Despite this Staveley were industrious without ever really creating a clear opportunity. The best they mustered was a couple of tame free kicks which failed to test Tom Dudley.
Just after the midway point of the first half Jason Law opened the scoring as he fired on goal and saw the ball squirm through the hands of the Staveley number 1, Butt was clearly disappointed with the goal but he would go on to make up for the mistake later in the game.
Staveley struggled in the first half to get on the ball and enjoy any quality time in possession on a difficult surface which tested their normally fluent passing style. Mohammed Tijani cut inside from the left and let fly towards goal but his effort was blocked by the head of Wisdom Asare. However it was Carlton’s Anton Pryce who was causing the most problems with his creative and intelligent running from the right which caused continuous problems.
HT – Carlton Town U21 1 v 0 Staveley Miners Welfare U21
The break brought a change for Staveley, not in personnel but in system, with a switch to 3-5-2 and it worked wonders as they dominated the second 45 minutes of play. The half had barely begun when Tom Gambles was brought down on the right hand side and Carlton failed to clear their lines from the result free-kick, Danny Fulwood forcing the ball over the line to level the scores.
Staveley’s wing backs Watters, Gambles and later Jessop looked a constant threat as they pushed forward and this forced Carlton into plenty of mistakes. Reece Treasure diverted Gambles cross over the bar from close range and Tijani was unlucky not to finish off a great move as he just failed to reach a great ball from Gambles at the back post.
Law had another chance to put the hosts back ahead as he got between Slack and Robinson but fired straight at Butt when he probably should have scored. This however was the best chance that Carlton would get in the 2nd half.
Jessop broke clear behind the Carlton defence, he unselfishly tried to square the ball for Tijani when he probably would have been better advised to shoot and the chance was lost as Carlton managed to smother the opportunity. Tijani had another chance minutes later but he pulled the trigger from distance without really testing Dudley.
The killer blow from Staveley came with 15 seconds of the 90 minutes remaining, Chris Butt atoned from his earlier error as he hit a 60 yard kick straight into the path of Nathan Jessop, Jessop’s touch was perfect as he brought the ball down and laid it off to Tijani 25 yards out, Tijani moved the ball onto his left foot, at the same time losing his marker and drilled the ball into the top left hand corner from 25 yards out.
The final whistle brought a much deserved three points for Staveley and a break from the driving rain which had been a feature of the entire evening, but despite being wet it was a happy set of travelling Trojans that made their way back up the M1 with their 100% start to the season intact.
They now have another two week break before meeting AFC Mansfield at Inkersall Road on October 23rd.
They now have another two week break before meeting AFC Mansfield at Inkersall Road on October 23rd.
FT Carlton Town FC U21 1 v 2 Staveley Miners Welfare FC U21
Carlton Town: - 1. Tom Dudley, 2. Damon Charlton, 3. Sam Smith, 4. Jordan Knight, 5. James Weaver, 6. Wisdom Asare, 7. Anton Pryce, 8. Kieron Conway (12. Tyrell Frow), 9. Tola Odedoyin (14. Kameron Frost), 10. Jason Law, 11. Kurt Hallam
Unused Subs: - 15. Lamin Fatty, 16. Tom Hallsworth, 17. Ben Didcott
Staveley Miners Welfare: - 1. Chris Butt, 2. Tom Gambles, 3. George Slack, 4. Jack Hutchinson, 5. Matt Robinson, 6. Charlie Oglesby, 7. Ryan Watters (16. Josh Pickering), 8. George Johnson (14. Joe Knowles), 9. Danny Fulwood (15. Nathan Jessop), 10. Reece Treasure, 11. Mohammed Tijani
Unused Subs: - 12. Joe Bayne, 17. James Finnigan
