AFC Totton
Sherborne hat-trick blows Bash away in New Forest derby
Attendance – 225
Nathaniel Sherborne was the star of the New Forest derby for AFC Totton, netting his second hat-trick in four years at Bashley Road, in a game that had everything.
Four goals in the match, three yellow cards, two different goal scorers and a punch landing a Bashley player with a red card and an early bath to boot.
Totton had a dream start within just 90 seconds of the whistle – Nick Watts created the chance inside the box, laying off to captain-for-the-day Sherborne, who curled the ball into the far corner, past Bashley’s reserves goalkeeper, Joe Coombs.
The 17-year-old ‘keeper was in for a busy 90 minutes in a largely one-sided derby, and produced brilliant saves from Watts and then Mike Gosney to keep the score close in the first 20 minutes.
But a strange decision from the referee handed the Stags a penalty, despite a clash between two team-mates. Gosney stepped up, coolly slotting the ball down the middle of the goal to double the away side’s lead.
The Stags were three goals to the good in the 32nd minute, with Sherborne striking once more. A cross from Jack Alexander was swung in dangerously, with Coombs having to parry away, but only as far Sherborne, who clinically finished for his second.
Despite a bright start from Totton after half time, it was Bashley’s striker, Shane Ayres, who would be remembered for his second half performance.
After a sliding tackle between the Bashley forward and defender Mitch Hunt, Ayres reacted violently with a number of punches and was instantly red-carded with 30 minutes remaining.
The 10-men of Bashley fought valiantly, creating their first opportunity in the 70th minute, but it was to be an easy catch and an easy day for Stags goalkeeper, Steve Mowthorpe.
Totton rounded off the scoring, leaving the best goal too last. Sherborne struck from distance once again, curling an almost impossible ball into the far corner, for his 18th goal of the season and Totton’s fourth on the day.
After a rocky start to the season, Totton have hit the magic 40 point mark and sit comfortably in 11th in the league.
Meanwhile, despite brief hope midweek for Bashley, winning their first point of the season, they remain rock bottom and still 20 points from safety.
Totton starting line-up: Mowthorpe, Hunt, Diaper, Williams*, Oliver, Wilson, Watts, Alexander, Lilley***, Sherborne, Gosney**.
Substitutes: Hibberd, Silvestre, Burgess*, Knight**, Brewer***.
