AFC Totton
Photo courtesy of Ben Cole
By Patrick FitzGerald
AFC Totton won 3-1 at home against Weston-super-Mare, spearheaded by Ashley Clarke's two goals!
As aforementioned, it was an Ashley Clarke clinic as AFC Totton handed Weston-Super-Mare just their second loss in the league all season
The game started quickly as Luke Coulson found the bottom right-hand corner in the 8th minute after Totton failed to clear a cross from Sam Pearson, giving the away side an early lead.
Emlyn Lewis went down holding his face after a collision with Tony Lee, the ball was then launched forward, a poor header back towards goal from Sam Avery gave Ashley Clarke all the time and freedom one-on-one to slot home past Max Harris in the 32nd minute.
Tempers were flaring, with The Seagulls seething that the decision did not go their way and midway through the first half, Totton were back level.
The game was then locked at 1-1 as the game entered half-time, both managers would've been happy with their respective performances in that first 45.
Despite the second half being quite open, neither team were creating key chances, until Totton found their way in behind the Weston-super-Mare defence...
A brilliant, dinked ball over the top from Lee put through Clarke who was brought down by Wood in the penalty box, which meant a penalty against the Seagulls and a red card for Wood, for a second bookable offence.
Scott Rendell calmy rolled his penalty into the bottom right corner, sending Harris the wrong way, giving the Stags the lead for the first time in the afternoon.
After a scrappy bit of play Ryan Jackson played Clarke down the right wing, the winger found himself in acres of space, with no defenders in front of him he drifted into the box and smashed the ball in at the near post.
Declan Rose was then booked for a late challenge on Pearson, but the Seagulls winger retaliated and pushed the Stags defender in the back, earning himself a spot in the book as well.
The Stags settled for the remainder of the game, seeing out the Seagulls to take all three points in a very good game for the neutral.
AFC Totton starting XI: 13. Ryan Gosney, 5. Luke Hallett, 7. Ash Clarke (Hisham Kasimu 70'), 9. Scott Rendell © (Jay Emmanuel-Thomas 83’) 10. Tony Lee (Lee Hodson 83’), 17. Dec Rose (Luke Bennett 88’), 19. Christie Ward, 20. Ryan Jackson, 21. Christos Batzelis (Joe Oastler 70'), 26. Tyler Cordner, 27. Craig Tanner!
Unused subs: 4. Mike Carter, 23. Ralph Vigrass
Attendance: 1,379
GO STAGS
