AFC Totton
Photo courtsey of Fin Hall
By Sean McGlead
AFC TOTTON BEAT YOUNG U'S IN PENULTIMATE PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY
This afternoon AFC Totton took on their latest Pre-Season opposition with another entertaining display of exciting attacking football. The Stags have shown positive signs in their previous warm up games, but as each game goes by, their football has got better and better. Well today’s visit of Oxford United U21’s saw another really positive step with Jimmy Balls Stags brushing aside the young U’s.
Jimmy introduced the clubs latest signing ‘Ralph Vigrass’to the squad for todays game…..The AFC Totton line up was…….Gosney, Oastler, Haunstrup, Magri, Lee, Linton, Ward, Batzelis, Bennett, Vigrass, Trialist A, Trialist B. SUBS Evans, Rendell, Hallett, Cordner, Trialist C, Trialist D.
The first ten minutes or so saw both sides getting a feel of the ball, the 1st really exciting passage of play came after some delightful interchanges out on the right and Malachi Linton put a low ball into the danger area and an Oxford defender came sliding in and put the ball over his own crossbar.
Linton has been magnificent in pre-season so far and he was again involved in an attacking move that ended with Linton cutting the ball back for Tony Lee, whose 1st touch was too heavy, allowing an Oxford defender to pounce on the situation. This was followed by a chance for Christie Ward, after more wonderful attacking football from the Stags. And yet more good Totton football saw Tony Lee slide in to put the ball over the U’s crossbar.
Then Totton finally got their noses in front when Linton won possession in midfield, he then sprayed a superb pass out to Luke Bennett on the right, Bennett took the ball to the byline and cut the ball back into the area where LINTON was waiting to sweep home, So it was 1-0 to Totton.
Ralph Vigrass was showing glimpses of his quality and he was played in by a long punt downfield by Ryan Gosney, Vigrass edged out the defender, but was denied a shooting opportunity by a fine defensive tackle.
Ryan Gosney was called upon to push away a fierce shot from Oxfords Kasway Burton.
Half-time
The Stags started the 2nd half in a measured manner, but on 52 minutes they doubled their lead after yet more fine play and one of the Stags half-time subs Scott Rendell played a ball into the area and it came to Luke BENNETT, who swivelled and hit the ball past the Oxford keeper, it really was a classy finish from the ever improving Bennett.
Gosney was called upon to keep out an effort from Jameson Blackmore, but in truth the Stags were pretty comfortable.
There was another Oxford shot that was well wide, this was followed by a raft of Oxford subs.
The Stags played more great football and Christie WARD fired home from just outside the 6-yard box to round off the scoring. A short while later another flowing Totton move saw one of the trialists fire wide.
FULL TIME: AFC Totton 3 Oxford United (U21’s) 0
Jimmy Ball must be thrilled by his sides performances at the moment, things look to be progressing in a really positive way, with all new signings fitting in well. Ralph Vigrass was in the game at times, but he has undoubted quality, and he will prove to be an astute acquisition, of that I am 100% sure. Yet again Malachi Linton looks the Bees knees, he looks like he is going to be a big fans favourite this season. Christos Batzelis had another good game as did Luke Bennett. The players look in good shape for our last Pre-season game next Saturday.
NEXT UP: Aldershot Town at the Snows Stadium on Saturday 2nd August (3pm).
