Northern Premier League Division One South - THE MATCH

Carlton Town 0-2 Willenhall Town

Shaun Findlay 45

Sean Pugh 79

'Pugh the Fightback!' - Official Match Report

For the first time in nine attempts, Willenhall Town recorded a league victory.
Willenhall dominated proceedings in the first half, Danny Yearwood fired an effort just wide from 20 yards, whilst a pinpoint pass from Troy Douglin was headed down into the path of sean Pugh, but his shot was just wide.
Meanwhile for Carlton, Daniel Blair managed to pick the ball up 6 yards out, but keeper Steve Jackson was off his line to block any shot.
On 21 minutes a great one touch pass by Pugh set Shaun Findlay clean through, but he could only shoot wide, whilst 2 minutes later the same two players were involved, this time setting up Jayson O’Kelly to shoot just over from 20 yards.
On 25 minutes, Karl Slack did well to nip between two Willenhall defenders, but Jackson was on hand to block the striker’s effort, the rebound fell to Martin Ball, but he could only shoot over the bar.
After Rory Curtis hit two efforts just wide, some great football after 38 minutes almost gave Willenhall the lead. After a penetrating run by Ed Ryan, Curtis squared the ball to Pugh, but his effort was deflected through to Alessandro Barcherini.
On 40 minutes, only a great diving stop from Jackson prevented Dean Gent’s 25 yard effort from breaking the deadlock, but then for the first time in 527 minutes, Willenhall scored a goal to give the lead.
Yearwood squared the ball to Findlay, who did well to spin past his marker, before hitting a low shot underneath the body of Barcherini, right on the stroke of half time.

Half time: Carlton 0 Willenhall 1

Carlton threatened more in the second half, as Blair came close to capitalising on loose balls inside the Willenhall area, and Slack fired into the side netting in the first 7 minutes.
After Pugh had headed just wide, a great run from Findlay saw him break through one tackle before shooting just over from 20 yards. From the goal kick, Blair found himself clean through, but Jackson was off his line well to deny the striker again.
On 68 minutes, a good cross from the right from Pugh was met by Curtis at the near post, but Barcherini was well positioned to save.
A minute later a good one-two between Ricky Gardner and Blair set the latter clean through, but he shot just wide.
Willenhall effectively sealed the win on 79 minutes, as a weak clearing header fell straight to Pugh. The striker brought the ball down with his knee before hitting a 40 yard volley, which dipped right into the top corner.
Next up, Willenhall will be at home to Glapwell next Saturday.

Carlton line-up: Barcherini, Henshaw, Price, Swinscoe (Breach),
Martin, Ball, Whitman (Chaplin), Irons, Slack, Blair, Gent (Gardner).

Willenhall line-up: Jackson, Roofe, Ryan, Perry, Douglin, O’ Kelly, Igori (Wills), Findlay (Pinnock), Pugh, Curtis, Yearwood.

Attendance: 73