Mini Shield 1^st leg Wed 20^th Feb           

Arnold Town 2 v 0 Carlton Town

Carlton travelled to local rivals and 1^st Division Arnold Town who are having a mixed season themselves so expectations were high for a good game.The game started at a fast pace with the 1sy ten minutes had Carlton on the back foot but defending well to contain the Arnold forwards.Carlton finallt settled down and started to impose themselves on the Arnold back four and created a number of chances to score.The best move of the game came from the left back K.Benbow who sent J.Price on his way to cross a ball for Z.Bartlett to head on and a screaming volley from S.Cox just flew inches over the bar.Arnold was finding it difficult to cope with both wingers and Carlton missed a number of chance to put the game behond the 1^st Divison side.Half time finished all square at 0-0. The 2^nd half was much the same with Arnold having the 1^st ten minutes of the game and coming close to scoring only a great save from R.Houghton kept the game level,the game was now  end to end play and it was looking like both teams were going to share the points,until the last 15 minutes of the game and again a from a wide free kick Carlton conceded to go 1 goal down,and with 5 minutes left conceded again to flatter the score which didn’t reflect the game.Carlton still have Arnold to play at home and Rolls Royce home and away to complete the Mini Shield fixtures.

Wed 30th Jan           
Carlton Town  2 v 2 Calverton MW

Carlton played hosts to local side Calverton MW and was looking for a good performance to overturn the loss from their previous meeting.Carlton started very strong and attacked the visitors early doors but was unable too capitalise on the chances created.Miday through the half Calverton was awarded a free kick and flighted in  a long back post ball and netted to open the scoring.Carlton didn’t let their heads drop as they had the lions share of possession throughout the half,and continued to play good football.Carltons reward came via Z.Bartlett who stabbed in a loose ball in the box to even the score at the break’

The 2nd period was very much the same as the 1st with Carlton playing in and around the visitors box and with good play from the midfield Carlton went ahead in the game with another good strike from G.Ellis.Carlon was now on top of the game and posed all kinds of problems for  Calverton with J.Price coming close to scoring to kill the game.Against the run of play Calverton levelled the game with another good strike form the edge of the area.Both teams entertained a large crowd on a bitterly cold  night and deserved to share the points.

Wed 23rd January

Carlton Played their 1st Home game in the new year against Mickleover Sports this after a 5 week break due to poor weather and cancellation of games.The game started at a fast pace and Carlton looked to be coping well with the visitors tricky forwards, from a wide free kick Mickleover went one up when a flighted ball into the box was headed in on the back post.With Carlton settled in the game a ball out from the keeper and a slip from the defender let Mickleover in to double their lead.Carlton were forced to make a early change when league leading scorer S.Cox had to be replaced through a injury.Carltons chances were few and far between and struggled to stamp their authority on the game.Half time finished with Carlton trailing by a two goal deficit.

The second period Carlton looked more organised and started stringing passes together to open up the  visitors and came close on a number of occasions only to be thwarted by good goalkeeping.Carlton seemed to be on top of the game when and G.Ellis had a shot saved by the Mickleover keeper. Mickleover scored again to put the game behond Carltons reach. With Carlton pushing forward Mickleover netted again after Keeper D.James saved the initial shot.Still Carlton kept playing their game to try and get the breakthrough they deserved,and it came when L.Richards powered in the top corner a long range shot to make it 4-1..Carlton still have 5 games to play with 15 points to play for and are at home again Wed 30th against Calverton MW.

The second period was a battle but the Carlton lads upped their game and had two chances cleared off the line early on in the half,and had Rossington on the back foot for long periods.midway through the 2nd half and Rossington was getting back into the game and drilled in from inside the box to make it 4-2.Carlton now started to dominate in midfield and spent long periods around the visitors box and came close again with a drive in from James Price was just above the bar.Captain Danny Hayes,Kieran Benbow and Kieron Scott at the back were all

class containing the potent forwards of Rossington,and cut out any attacks high up the field.In the last quarter and Cox added to his tally with a pinpoint pass from Greg Ellis and Cox spun and slotted home.Rossingtons final say was a penalty given for a hand ball and Ryan Shelton converted to make it 5-3.The hard working Simon Wilkinson again carved out a chance for himself in front of goal but unselfishly passed to Stevie cox who tapped in at close range to make the final score 6-3 to Carlton Town.A great team effort and all the players working hard for each other and confidence in abundance.

The second period was a battle but the Carlton lads upped their game and had two chances cleared off the line early on in the half,and had Rossington on the back foot for long periods.midway through the 2nd half and Rossington was getting back into the game and drilled in from inside the box to make it 4-2.Carlton now started to dominate in midfield and spent long periods around the visitors box and came close again with a drive in from James Price was just above the bar.

Captain Danny Hayes,Kieran Benbow and Kieron Scott at the back were all class containing the potent forwards of Rossington,and cut out any attacks high up the field.In the last quarter and Cox added to his tally with a pinpoint pass from Greg Ellis and Cox spun and slotted home.Rossingtons final say was a penalty given for a hand ball and Ryan Shelton converted to make it 5-3.The hard working Simon Wilkinson again carved out a chance for himself in front of goal but unselfishly passed to Stevie cox who tapped in at close range to make the final score 6-3 to Carlton Town.A great team effort and all the players working hard for each other and confidence in abundance.