AFC Totton
LIMP STAGS BOW OUT OF THE CUP
By Sean McGlead
Back in August, in a Southern League fixture, the Stags thrashed Swindon Supermarine 6-1 at The Testwood Stadium. If anyone was expecting a repeat result today, then they were going to be in for a nasty shock! Swindon had improved since our last meeting, So, I was expecting a much tighter encounter this time around.
The Stags were forced into making a big change to the starting line-up, when Liam Gilbert was kept out of the game due to an eye injury, which he sustained at North Leigh in midweek.
A few eyebrows were raised when around the ground when it was announced that Kyle O Brien had been left on the bench, but the good news was that Craig Feeney was able to return to the starting eleven. Drew Bridge also started on the left of midfield, after being on the bench in midweek.
The AFC Totton line up was…..Mowthorpe, Hibberd, Blackburn, Onoufriou, Flooks, Mouland, Bullpitt, Hurst, Feeney, Sherborne, Bridge. SUBS White, Edwards Maxwell, O Brien, Jennings, Hollick.
After the initial sparring, the first chance fell to Swindon. John Morse played in Luke Hopper who turned and shot from 8 yards, but his effort took a deflection, that sent his shot over the bar.
Another 5 minutes had passed before there was another worthwhile effort on goal, and that came about when Feeney played in Sherborne, who tried his luck from 20 yards, but Sherborne’s shot went a few feet over the bar.
The game was very much end to end and Swindon had already made it abundantly clear that they were going to be a much tougher proposition than on their last visit.
On 13 minutes Marine were awarded a free kick about 30 yards from goal. Chris Taylor took the kick, but his low shot saw Steve Mowthorpe get down to gather at the 2nd attempt.
A minute later Totton went on the attack. A break down the right ended with Liam Hibberd whipping over a dangerous looking cross, that Jamie Bullpitt was unable to get his head to. Almost immediately the Stags attacked again down the right and this time Zac Mouland cut in along the goal line and put in a low cross that was crying out for a touch. Unfortunately for Zac the only contact was a Marine defenders boot that deflected the ball clear.
Swindon captain Dave Bampton was adjudged to have been fouled by Nathan Hurst on 18 minutes, it looked a harsh decision to most Totton fans. The referee decided to show Nathan Hurst a yellow card, to the anger of a few Totton players, as well as the Supporters. Dave Bampton received treatment for a while after the incident. Within a few moments Bampton had been replaced by Lee Spalding.
Then came Totton’s best chance so far. A ball forward was flicked on by the head of Sherborne and Feeney latched onto it just inside the box, Worrall, the Swindon keeper, came rushing out and Feeney lobbed the ball over him, the ball agonisingly for the Stags went on to hit the post and was cleared, whilst Worrall flattened Feeney and the Totton striker needed treatment for a few minutes. Again some of the Totton players were complaining about the keepers challenge on Feeney, some people actually thought that the Stags had a decent claim for a penalty, but no action was taken against Worrall.
Swindon then almost took the lead when a break downfield ended with Josh Morse shooting into the left hand side netting, after the ball was laid off to him by Ryan Stanners.
Then Marine did take the lead on the half hour mark, when a Josh Morse cross was met at the back post by Harry ETHERIDGE, his effort beat Mowthorpe just inside the right hand post.
Craig Feeney was still feeling the effects of the earlier challenge by Sam Worrall and he had to be replaced by Taylor Edwards after 32 minutes.
More bad luck struck the Stags on 35 minutes, a clever ball by Edwards was picked up by Drew Bridge on the edge of the box. Bridge’s shot hit the left hand post and rolled cross the 6 yard box and out for a goal kick.
HALF TIME 0-1 To Swindon Supermarine
Swindon almost doubled their lead a couple of minutes into the 2nd half when Luke Hopper burst into the right hand side of the box and held off a challenge from Rob Flooks, Hopper then shot at goal only for Mowthorpe to palm the ball wide.
Josh Morse then had a chance for Swindon when he tried a shot from 25 yards that went just wide of the right hand post.
Totton’s passing was not at the standard of a couple of weeks ago and they were unable to create anything worthwhile. Swindon were not creating a great deal themselves, but they looked more likely than Totton to get the next goal.
Marine could have had an opportunity to get a 2nd after they had claims for a penalty waved away by referee Mr M Lawrence. Swindon claimed that Chris Onoufriou had brought down Ryan Stanners in the box. It is fair to say that Marines claims were in the ‘I’d see these given’ category.
Then there was an incident off of the ball in the 77th minute that saw Rob Flooks lose his head. I couldn’t see who the Swindon player was, but Flooks appeared to put his head towards the face of a Swindon player, although, I do not believe there was any contact the referee called Flooks over and sent him off.
Any faint hopes that Totton had of avoiding defeat were dashed on 80 minutes when Sam MORRIS made it 2-0 after good work by Chris Taylor.
Swindon almost added a 3rd, but for the brilliance of Steve Mowthorpe. Mowthorpe made a great double save from Sam Morris then from Luke Hopper, Hopper finally put the rebound wide of the left hand post.
FULL TIME 0-2 to Swindon Supermarine.
ATT: 254
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