After last weekend’s results Carleton wanted to push on from their 1-1 draw with Endmoor and Ambleside wanted, well anything other than their crushing 6-1 defeat at the hands Shap.

From the first half’s display it looked as though it could have been a cricket score in favour of the away Soccer Moos. The Pinks were playing the fast paced attacking football that served them so well in the previous few seasons, unfortunately they could only muster the one goal in the first half. An outside of the right foot, 30 yard wonder striker coming from James Mandle coming midway through first half proceedings.

The Pinks looked untouchable passing the ball around at will with new recruit Dom Lisle looking every bit the Soccoer Moo. Josh Briggs captained the side with Tommy Smith unavailable which resulted in left back Mark Nixon once again filling in at centre back. He was joined by usual goal poacher Ryan Smith who performed admirably in his new role.

Full backs Liam Jackson and Luke Strong were getting forward to overlap wingers Eddie Raine and Jake Briggs at every opportunity. Raine was causing havoc down the right wing, with Briggs doing is usual of turning defenders inside out to the point of tears. The domination simply could not bring a second goal, and with that a sense of danger.

Ambleside trooped to the changing room at half-time while the Pinks stayed at pitch side to keep warm and listen to instructions from coach Clive Briggs and manager Chris Farrell. Ambleside must have received the hair dryer treatment from their manager after simply being played off the park.

The Pinks were very much sick as parrots as it was truly a game of two halves. An inspired substitution from Ambleside. Cue, Stew Sewell. Goal scorer, leader, game-changer, organiser, the superlatives are endless.

Sewell entered the pitch and immediately his team banded together, they rallied around this player who should have been playing several divisions higher, proved none more so than through his first goal to bring the home side level. A thunderbolt to the right hand corner of Steve Nicholson’s net, the Pink ‘keeper didn’t have a chance.
Sewell continued to further torment the pinks running at goal as Jackson jockeyed the striker before unleashing an effort narrowly wide, such torment left the defender clutching his hamstring and needing replacing by the illustrious Suki Niner but not before that man again Sewell picked up on a defensive mistake and punished the Pinks by smashing the ball again into the roof of the net.
The game went on with Banks looking to draw level and Ambleside to grab another to guarantee victory. Carleton replaced Dean Johnson with Matty Treloar and Coach Clive replacing Ryan Smith but it just wasn’t enough as the boys in Pink looked to have run out of steam. Sewell completed his second half man of the match performance by taking up the mantle of defensive rock at the back.
The result leaves Carleton 7th, exactly where they would have been if the result had been reversed but are now seeing a gap between them and them and those ahead of them.

Next up, Shap FC at home at Frenchields on Saturday September 19th. Up the Pinks.