AFC Totton
TENACIOUS TOTTON SNATCH LAST-MINUTE WINNER!
AFC Totton progressed into the second round of the FA Trophy after an enthralling 2-1 win over Merthyr Town at the Snows Stadium.
Both sides started energetically despite the adverse weather conditions and whilst the Stags enjoyed more of the ball, it was the Martyrs who broke the deadlock.
The diminutive Lewys Twamley showed fantastic feet on the right-hand side before lofting the ball into the box for RICARDO REES to smartly place beyond Lewis Noice.
Totton pressed for an equaliser in the dying embers of the first half but were unfortunate to go into the break a goal down.
However, they started the second period as they finished the first and were finally rewarded with a deserved equaliser.
Ethan Taylor was offered far too much space on the left and the winger spotted an unmarked SCOTT RENDELL to tap home on the volley in the 74th minute.
The Stags stampede continued as they probed for the winner, despite Leon Maloney having a serious penalty claim waved away by the referee in the 89th minute.
Merthyr Town struggled to competently defend set-piece situations for the majority of the game and it was from this scenario where Totton found the all-important winner.
Ethan Taylor’s deep free-kick delivery found LUKE HALLETT charging towards the back-post, with centre-back powering home an unstoppable header past the impressive Jaimie Cogman.
AFC Totton will host Havant & Waterlooville in the second round of the FA Trophy on the 18th November.
Author: Olly Howard
Star Player: Luke Hallett
Entertainment Value: 4/5
Photos:Patrick Fitzgerald*
