An important game for the Lions to show that they have what it takes to be serious contenders for the title and they didn’t disappoint. Playing away to a very talented Basford Utd side was never going to be easy but again Carlton showed their team spirit and form.
The Lions started brightly and Marcus Barton made an instant impact to make it 1-0. Carlton then started to move the ball and thanks to some neat play from midfield, Connor Pauley made it 2-0 at half time.
In the second half, Basford knew they had to get into the game and stopped Carlton doing the simple things by piling on the pressure. A corner came in and Basford were on the end of it and it wasn’t long until Basford pulled it level.
The Lions kept their heads after the equaliser in the form of a third from Ousman Sagnia.
With the side lines getting plenty of entertainment, Basford pulled another back but Carlton replied in turn with Dan Chambers grabbing the fourth.
Basford replied again to pull level at 4-4 with a stalemate looking likely until with seconds on the clock, Jordan Percival opened his account for Carlton to grab the winner with the Lions going out as worthy winners at 5-4 with complimenting words from the Basford manager.
