Keeper error costs Pics in trip to Town

UniBond League First Division South

Carlton Town 1

Rushall Olympic 0

A BLUNDER by Rushall keeper Chris Gemmell 17 minutes from time gifted Carlton Town all three points in a poor encounter that otherwise had a goalless draw written all over it, writes Darren Stockall .

Gemmell came out of his area to deal with a standard backpass, but instead made a complete hash of the situation as danger man Karl Slack was able to peel away and slot home into an unguarded net.

Olympic had begun the game in promising fashion as a fine double save from home custodian Alessandro Bacherini on 11 minutes denied Ben Jevons at close quarters, before repelling Gary Fitzpatrick's 25-yard follow up.

However, the hosts should have been ahead midway through the first period when Justin Jenkins somehow screwed wide of the mark from barely 10 yards out after being put clean through.

Carlton lost their keeper nine minutes into the second period through injury and skipper Grant Brindley took over the gloves, but was rarely tested by the Pics' faltering attack.

After Gemmell's error, Rushall had opportunities late on as substitute Kieran Fitzharris curled a 25-yard free kick just shy of the top left corner.

Then Ben Jevons saw his powerful drive repelled and then his header go over the bar but it was all very much too little, too late from the visitors as Carlton held on.