Carter's Cup Heroics Break Clipstone Hearts!

Report by William Lavelle.

Ollerton Town progressed to the 4th round of the NCEL League Cup after Mark Carter scored an 120th minute winner to break Clipstone hearts and give Ollerton a 4-3 victory at the end of a dramatic, end-to-end game.
The Town dominated long periods of the game but a clinical Clipstone side were able to keep the game competitive before Ollerton were eventually able to grind out a well-deserved win in extra time.
The game initially got off to quite a slow start as most of the play looked to be stuck in the midfield area and there was a distinct lack of chances early on.
Ollerton looked to be the better team when in possession of the ball but it was Clipstone who made the decisive breakthrough as Charlie Hardwick was played in over the top of the Ollerton defence before rounding 'keeper Ryan Brooks and tapping in to give Clipstone the lead after 20 minutes.
Dave Winter's side were continuing to look the more threatening and their high tempo play around the Clipstone box eventually paid off in the 24th minute as, from the left hand side of the box, Sean Dickinson cut the ball back to striker Gav King who was able to easily tap in.
Despite Ollerton looking the more likely, it was Charlie Hardwick who managed get his second of the game to restore Clipstone’s lead against the run of play. The tricky midfielder found space on the edge of the box and curled his effort into the top right corner, leaving Brooks with little chance of making the save.
The home side had the chance to draw level before half time as Dickinson was able to round Clipstone ‘keeper Levi Owen but his effort was cleared off the line to round off a frustrating half for Ollerton.
Ollerton looked to start the second half on the front foot and in the 55th minute they were awarded a penalty after Mark Carter was taken out by Owen after going through one-on-one. Captain Sam Stretton stepped up to take the penalty but his effort hit the outside of the right post as Clipstone clung on to their narrow one goal advantage.
Ollerton continued to apply pressure throughout the half and had more than enough chances to draw the game level with the most notable being Mark Carter’s strike on the turn from just outside the six yard box which was well saved by Owen.
Ollerton were eventually able to make their increasing pressure pay in the 80th as a long looping ball over the top of the Clipstone defence wasn’t dealt with effectively by Keiran Coupe and Carter was able to convert on the half volley for a well deserved equaliser.
The Town continued to play a high risk game in an effort to look for the winner as full backs Tom Moody and Liam Cooper were constantly marauding forward and this risk eventually paid off as Cooper’s whipped ball in found Gav King and Ollerton’s top goalscorer was able to head home for his 15th goal of the season and what surely looked to be the winner.
That wasn't to be however as Ollerton sat back and deep into a stoppage time, a Clipstone corner was diverted towards the back post where Alfie Gaughan was able convert for a last gasp equaliser.
For the second time in three seasons a cup match between Ollerton and Clipstone ended 3-3 after the regulation 90 minutes. Back in 2015, it finished 4-4 after extra time before Clipstone won on penalties but this time, there was no need for spot kicks as Ollerton eventually finished the job off.
Despite having no substitutes to freshen things up, Ollerton continued to dominate in extra time despite their tired legs. Ben Bowring and Lewis Bingham both saw their efforts rebound off the woodwork, Dickinson saw another attempt cleared off the line and Cooper will have been disappointed that his close range effort was headed off target.
As the game reached the 120th minute game, it looked to be set for the lottery of a penalty shoot-out but then Dickinson’s ball was flicked on by King towards Carter who from 7 yards out, hit an effort across goal and past Owen to grab his second of the game and to clinch a late winner which sent the Ollerton faithful into raptures.