AFC Totton
Images courtesy of Fin Hall
By Josh Cole
A last-gasp winner for The Stags on the road!
After two losses to playoff contenders, The Stags were on the road in search of three points at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, home of Enfield Town.
It was an early start from Totton, with Tyler Cordner taking a pop shot but it was saved by the ‘keeper.
Then Enfield started to trouble Totton, through the air and fashioned two opportunities from it, but Ryan Gosney was equal to both.
On the 30th minute good work from Ralph Vigrass and Josh Dolling down the Totton right, and new-boy Dolling flashed a ball across the six-yard box, which unfortunately, evaded both Malachi Linton and Ashley Clarke, who were arriving at the back-post.
Two minutes later, the home side had the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman’s flag was up.
A penalty ‘shout’ for The Stags came in the 38th minute but Craig Tanner went into the book for simulation.
At the half, the home side had the better of the chances and looked a threat through set pieces, but the game was deadlocked at 0-0.
Two subs came at half-time, Scott Rendell and Hisham Kasimu were brought on!
And it made an immediate impact as the second half onslaught started with Christie Ward having his volley saved.
It was the aforementioned Ward who was in on the act again down the left-hand side causing trouble and winning a corner, which came to nothing.
Despite the early attacks Totton had, Gosney was called into action on the 59th minute to deny Sam Youngs free header and smartly tip over the bar.
Down the other end just a minute later, Clarke got in behind, one-on-one, but his initial effort was saved but the ‘keeper couldn’t hold onto the ball and Clarke regained the ball, then from inside the six-yard box it looked certain to be a goal, with the goal-gaping, but out of nowhere, Xavier Benjamin comes flying back to clear it off the line.
73rd minute, and another penalty appeal for Totton was waved away, this time the players were appealing for a handball, nothing given.
As the game entered the last ten minutes of regular time, Clarke was in behind again after Ward’s superb long ball over the top, however once again, he was denied, this time by the goalie Rhys Forster.
Tony Lee experienced two shots cleared off the line Saturday and he had another today as an Enfield defender got back and thwarted The Stags’ number ten.
The clock ticked 90, six minutes were added on, and within a minute of the injury time, Hisham Kasimu, puts the away side in front!
Totton continued to probe, patiently waiting for their opportunity to get a cross into the box, and Clarke finally delivered a high one into the box, however, it looked destined to be easily claimed by the ‘keeper, but, as he fell to the floor the ball popped out and Kasimu tapped into the empty net.
A bit of late pressure came from Enfield in the dying seconds and Gosney again was called into action, but the ref blew for full-Time and The Stags come away with all three points!
Starting XI: 13. Ryan Gosney, 5. Luke Hallet 7. Ashley Clarke (Joe Oastler 93’) 11. Malachi Linton (Tony Lee 80’) 16. Josh Dolling (Scott Rendell 45’) 17. Dec Rose (Ryan Jackson 68’) 19. Christie Ward 21. Christos Batzelis 23. Ralph Vigrass (Hisham Kasimu 45’) 26. Tyler Cordner © & 27. Craig Tanner
Unused Subs: 1. Max Evans, & 3. Brandon Haunstrup.
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