AFC Totton
MAGRI MAGIC EARNS STAGS A DRAW AT HOME
Gosport Borough goalkeeper Toby Steward had a real zero-to-hero performance as his side left the Snows Stadium with a point.
It was a moment to forget for Steward as he failed to deal with Sam Magri’s long-range
effort, which miraculously found the back of the net in the 58 th minute.
However, the goalkeeper redeemed himself just minutes later after he denied Stags striker
Scott Rendell in a dangerous looking one-on-one. Moreover, he pulled off a spectacular save in the 76th minute to palm away substitute Jordan Chiedozie’s effort at goal.
Gosport Borough took the game by the reins inside the first five minutes as they dominated
possession. However, the Stags soon grew into the game and started to cause the visitors trouble. Both teams started to create plenty of half-chances, but none were challenging for the goalkeepers.
The deadlock was broken by Gosport Borough in the 34th minute after their talisman, Daniel Wooden, leapt like a salmon to meet the delivery from a corner and head home his 13th league goal of the season.
The second half entailed a lot of end-to-end action as the Stags went in search of an equaliser and the Boro’ sought to put the game to bed. AFC Totton found an equaliser in the 58th minute when Sam MAGRI unleashed an ambitious shot from long distance, which beat the ‘keeper and rustled into the back of the net.
The usually reliable Rendell missed a brilliant opportunity to put the hosts ahead as he was
found in plenty of space, but he was denied a winner by Steward’s heroic efforts.
Both teams had chances to land all three points, but neither team was able to capitalise
upon their opportunities, and they both had to settle for a point a piece.
Gosport Borough manager Pat Suraci thought it was a very even game between the two
teams. He stated: “It was a really intense game; it was very back and forth between two teams who are rightly up there in the league table.”
Totton boss Jimmy Ball opined: “It was a fair result, but I'm a little bit disappointed that we didn’t win; I thought we created some good chances, but we need to be more clinical.”
Final Score: AFC Totton 1-1 Gosport Borough
Man of the Match: Sam MAGRI
Entertainment Value: 4/5
Author: Freddie Kilbey
Images courtesy of Craig Hobbs Photography
The LONG READ: AFC Totton 1-1 Gosport Borough
