AFC Totton
PHOTOGRAPHY: CAMERON MEECH
TRIALIST HEADS STAGS IN FRONT AFTER GOALLESS FIRST HALF
The first opportunity of the afternoon fell to The Stags after just eight minutes when Folivi found space on the edge of the area, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Scott Rendell’s side continued to ask questions of the Sholing defence and came close again midway through the half. Covil delivered an inviting cross from the right towards Vigrass at the back post, but the delivery just had too much on it and drifted beyond the forward.
Totton were beginning to build momentum and almost found the breakthrough four minutes later. Lee whipped an excellent cross into the penalty area that flashed across the face of goal, somehow evading every blue shirt in the eighteen-yard box.
Dan Mason tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area, striking a low effort through a crowd of bodies, but the Gosney was equal to it once again.
The visitors survived another scare just before the interval when Vigrass raced through on goal. The winger opened up his body looking to slot home, only for the Sholing keeper to stand tall and produce another fine save to ensure the sides went into half-time level. HT 0-0
However, Totton’s persistence was finally rewarded seven minutes after the restart. Sol Wanjau-Smith produced an excellent delivery from the left-hand side, and a Trialist timed his run perfectly to glance a superb header inside the near post, giving The Stags a deserved 1-0 lead.
However, rather than sitting back after taking the lead, Totton continued to dictate proceedings. Enjoying long spells of possession, The Stags patiently moved the ball around the pitch and prevented Sholing from building any sustained pressure as they looked to protect their advantage.
Just after the hour mark, Dec Rose looked to double the lead with an ambitious effort from distance, but his strike drifted narrowly wide of the target.
Tony Lee was next to threaten in the 71st minute, collecting the ball on the edge of the penalty area before firing straight at the goalkeeper. Moments later, Rose again tried his luck from range, but this time his effort sailed comfortably over the crossbar as Totton remained firmly in control.
The Stags continued to probe for a second goal and came agonisingly close with just over ten minutes remaining. Rose whipped an inviting cross into the penalty area, where Tony Lee threw himself at the delivery but was unable to make the decisive contact.
Another excellent opportunity followed four minutes from time when Vigrass did brilliantly to beat his man down the right-hand side before delivering a dangerous cross towards the back post. The ball fell kindly for Austin, but he couldn’t keep his composure, blazing his effort over the crossbar from a promising position. FT 1-0
Although they were unable to add to their advantage, Totton comfortably saw out the closing stages to secure a deserved 1-0 victory over their local rivals. After creating the better chances throughout the contest and limiting Sholing to very little in the final third, Scott Rendell’s side signed off their pre-season campaign on a positive note, lifting the Mally Thomas Cup and taking valuable momentum into next weekend’s National League South opener.
Report by: Adi Rose
