AFC Totton
STAGS SECURE LEAGUE-BEST FINISH THROUGH SCOTT RENDELL HAT-TRICK
Play-Off contenders AFC Totton secured their overall league best finish on their travels to The Avenue Stadium, winning 4-0 with Scott Rendell’s hat-trick stealing the show.
Last time these two sides met at the Snows Stadium, they played out a thrilling 4-4 draw and today’s contest in front of a packed house was no different. The Stags got on top from minute one and showed persistence to stamp their authority on the game.
Ethan Taylor won the ball high up the 3G pitch, driving towards the byline and pulling back to Tony Lee whose low shot was saved, only for veteran striker Scott RENDELL to pounce on the rebound to open the scoring.
The two teams would then trade possession, going hammer and tongs in each of their counter attacks, although the goal appeared to ignite a fire in the home side, as they played the better football.
Scott RENDELL doubled his and Totton’s tally, showing his composure to take a touch on his right before firing low inside the near post – the assist going to his strike partner Lee.
The remainder of chances in the first half belonged to The Magpies, who were desperately searching for a way back into the match. However, The Stags went into the break with a comfortable two-goal lead despite not being on top all that much.
Dorchester had the first attack of the second half, with a pull back to the edge of the D finding Corby Moore who sent his shot curling over the bar and out of the ground.
Totton added their third not long after with Adam Tomasso finding Joan Luque, whose pass with the outside of his foot dropped perfectly into the path of Ethan TAYLOR to enable the winger to slot home into the far corner with great composure.
Despite conceding three goals, The Magpies kept coming and had a number of chances but they lacked the clinical edge they had been missing all afternoon.
Jimmy Ball took the opportunity to bring on Marcel McIntosh and Leon Maloney from the subs' bench, both of them impacting the game from a creative standpoint.
The Stags found their fourth and final goal following the conclusion of a brilliant move in which Maloney sent in a delightful cross to the back post for Scott RENDELL to head home and complete his hat-trick.
Dorchy kept on coming for what remained of the game, but the away side held on for the clean sheet and all three points in the end - the scoreline, however, was not reflective of The Magpies' play.
This win sees The Stags secure second place in the Southern League Premier Division South, with a Play-Off Semi-Final meeting with Bracknell Town at home now set for Wednesday 01 May.
Final Score: Dorchester Town 0-4 AFC Totton
Attendance: 1,292
Star Man: Scott Rendell
Entertainment Value: 4/5
Author: Liam Warren
