Being a Bank Holiday and Hucknall Town v Rainworth already pencilled in for Monday, Dudsey`s decided to Groundhop today, probably inspired by seeing Massiah McDonald at Rainworth on Tuesday night.
Sheffield Fc`s usual warm welcome, good banter and an afternoon out at the BT Stadium also tipped the scales in favour of a trip to see Rainworth take on Market Drayton today.
I text to see if Hales is up for it and we agree to meet at the ground (You can`t beat a family outing!!)
Carlton currently sit fourth in the table aided by Massiah`s three goals whilst Mark Shaw`s side occupy tenth spot prior to the kick off.
Dudsey`s expecting this one to be a "Peach of a game" given the talent on display this afternoon, a myriad of familiar faces line up for both sides so names shouldn`t be a problem today!!
There`s a fairly decent gathering, basking in some lovely sunshine, not bad considering the day started with fairly heavy showers, top marks to the Ground-staff, the pitch is in immaculate condition.
Looks like Carlton have a plan!!
Plan or no plan, it`s not the ideal start for Les McJannet`s Millers, the home side are very quick out of the blocks and as in previous visits to the BT Stadium it`s Steve Woolley who is the driving force, he`s a nimble character and weaves his magic down the left wing, a lot of Sheffield`s creative play revolves around him.
True to form he`s off on his way and crosses a useful ball across the face of goal, Charlie Weir shoots and is credited the goal but I thought from my snap David Graham put it over the line. 1-0 after only six minutes.
For me David Graham (9) gets the opener.
Sheffield seem to have the bit between their teeth, Wooley,Weir and Harrison are rampant, Carlton seem unable to contain the early onslaught, not really what we`d come to see, but it`s really entertaining stuff.
The Millers do start to probe down into Sheffield`s half but are only too aware that any break by the home-side has potential to cause trouble for them.
True to form Hales arrives late and has missed the opener, he`s accompanied by Pocco and his loveable son Harry.
He`s at it again!! Woolley goes on another charge.
Slowly but surely Carlton spring into action and are starting to look increasingly comfortable on the ball, Ryan Goward is is offering very good support to Massiah McDonald, Terry Hawkridge and Jermaine Hollis.
Massiah picks up the ball on the left, runs in and unleashes a rocket which flashes by Dan Whatsize but it returns just as quickly off the cross-bar.
Massiah`s shot only manages to find the woodwork!!
The Millers are looking really comfortable at this point, but not complacent enough to dismiss Sheffield`s threat on the break. Goward is brought down in a crunching tackle and looks to be struggling, credit due to the lad he soldiers on and eventually runs it off.
In contrast, there`s one character who I thought would feature heavily this afternoon.... Conor Higginson, this lad has shedloads of ability, the ex-Mansfield starlet scored for fun last season whilst out on loan at Glapwell and in comparison he has hardly figured in the game`s opening half hour.
Higginson looks on as Carlton go close again.
McDonald, Hollis and Hawkridge are enjoying a really good spell, the home fans just to our left are getting more anxious and it does look a goal is on the cards for the visitors, but despite some really good chances it`s just not coming together for them!!
Sheffield do manage to create a few more clear cut chances but it`s the Millers who are in the driving seat up until the break. Half time and Sheffield go in a goal to the good.
Sheffield sneak another chance before the break
Dudsey, Hales, Pocco and young Harry decide to sample the delights of the Burger Bar and although not the best on taste, what they lack in quality they make up for in quantity, they`re humongous, Harry looks down at his "McMassive" as though to say "what am i supposed to do with this Dad?
I honestly couldn't see the second half going without a goal and it didn`t fail to produce, Carlton start where they finished off, in control...... McDonald, Hawkridge and Brown press on and the ball once again returns off the woodwork, this time Hollis is on hand to push the ball over the line in the goal-mouth scramble. 1-1 after only two minutes of the restart.
Carlton celebrate the equailiser
The Sheffield faithful are uneasy and sense an upset could be on the cards and that`s the way it looks from where I`m standing, it`s one way traffic this half and it`s hard to see how they can survive the constant wave of pressure, the game is turning a bit cynical and a flurry of yellow cards are brandished for a few over zealous tackles.
A foul just outside the box presents Carlton with the perfect opportunity to take the lead, Hawkridge tee`s it up but only manages to pull it wide.
Hawkridge fancies his chances.
The Sheffield bench decide a fresh approach is needed and Matt Roney is brought on to liven things up and that`s exactly what he does, totally against the run of play he makes a run down the right and fluffs a ball into the box and it falls to Higginson who sinks it into Danny Marshall`s goal. 2-1 with half an hour to go.
Carlton seem totally unfazed by the goal and carry on pushing and looked as though they had equalised as a lovely header looks to have beat Whatsize but he pulls off an amazing save.
How many more chances can Carlton miss!!
To say the second half was a bit one-sided is a real understatement but chances don`t add up to points and Sheffield defy the odds and manage to keep their noses in front.
Massiah comes up to the byline for a throw-in, he shrugs his shoulders and his face say`s it all, "what do I have to do to score today", "nothing pal that`s how it is some days".
The weather turns a bit messy with five minutes to go and we all retreat undercover, the game does the same in the final minute as a rash tackle on Ronay sparks an handbag scuffle on the final whistle resulting in a red card being shown (not sure who to as there was so many bodies involved). "Shame it had to end this way as it had been a really entertaining afternoon out".
A sour end to a good game of football!!
So Sheffield take the points, the fans and players are overjoyed with the win and rightly so, seldomly will you spend so much time in you`re own half and scrape a win, but they did and well done to them.
Man of the Match - Sheffield Fc`s Groundsman
Admission £6
Attendance 249
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