AFC Totton
Photo courtesy of Ben Cole
By Patrick FitzGerald
A hard-working but great performance from The Stags merited a worthy 1-0 home win!
It was a cagey first ten minutes until Ashley Clarke broke free with the ball after winning two 50/50s, gliding to the centre of the edge of the 18-yard box and firing one across his body, striking the centre of the post, the ball bounced back to Bartolo, who could only fire a deflected shot behind for a corner.
The next 20 minutes was also fairly dim, with the highlight being Hornchurch manager Daryl McMahon losing his temper with his players for not being able to keep the ball.
Soon after, a corner was not punched away convincingly by Arthur Nasta and the ball fell to Cordner who blazed it over the bar on the volley from five-yards out.
Cordner was involved yet again as he floated one over the top of the Hornchurch defence, the ball fell to Jaiden Bartolo who found himself one on one with Nasta on the left-hand side of the box, but the ‘keeper made himself big and saved well.
Totton’s chances eventually turned to good. A deserved lead as great build up down the right-hand side saw Clarke fire the ball across the box and Harry Gibbs could only turn the powerful cross into his own net, Nasta didn’t even see it.
McMahon was not pleased wit his side as he made a first half substitution, as Henry Sandat was replaced by Myles Weston on 43 minutes.
The start of the second half consisted of pure Totton dominance, Hornchurch found themselves parked in their half for the best part of 20 minutes. Strikes from Christie Ward, Declan Rose and Tony Lee were all saved well by Nasta.
Soon after, Craig Tanner whipped in a glorious cross onto the head of Lee, but he could only direct the ball onto the crossbar and over, missing from seven yards out.
Not so long after, a pinpoint corner was crossed in, the ball was forced over the line but immediately disallowed for a foul by Tanner for putting his hands in the back of his opposing man when challenging for the header.
As the game entered its final quarter, the tide slowly turned as Hornchurch began to have more of the ball, putting pressure back on the hosts.
The tension was showing as tempers began to flare, after altercations between Lee and Gibbs, and Carter and Hearn.
The game became end to end in its final five minutes, with both sides having great chances, but neither would convert.
At Full-Time, own-goal scorer Harry Gibbs would start on Tony Lee, catalysing a post-match brawl, eventually it all calmed down, and Totton’s layers ran off to their fans to celebrate a hard-earned win.
AFC Totton: 13. Ryan Gosney, 2. Alfie Merritt, 4. Mike Carter (C), 5. Luke Hallett, 7. Ash Clarke, 10. Tony Lee (Malachi Linton 87'), 17. Dec Rose, 18. Jaiden Bartolo (Ralph Vigrass 65'), 19. Christie Ward, 26. Tyler Cordner & 27. Craig Tanner (Jacob Towns 77').
Unused subs: 6. Dan O'Connor & 25. Sam Tinubu.
Attendance: 1,286
GO STAGS
