AFC Totton
By Sean McGlead
AFC Totton took to the road yesterday as they travelled to rolling hills of Worcestershire to play Evesham United at the Jubilee stadium.
The Stags suffered a pre match set back when Nathaniel Sherborne complained of pains in his ankle. Sherbs had been named into the starting line-up, but he had to drop to the bench. Zac Mouland drafted in at No10 for the Stags.
Evesham started really brightly by taking the game to the Stags, in just the 3rd minute Elliott kennedy whipped in a dangerous cross, the cross was met with a right foot effort by the lively Ashley Edinborough, luckily the effort flew just wide of Mowthorpe’s left hand post.
Evesham kept pushing forward and on 9 minutes a swift and decisive move ended with a terrific left wing cross from Edinborough, which was finished by Jared WILSON. Wilson arrived late in the box and his run had not been tracked by Totton.
Totton gradually had more of the ball, but they were not able to produce any penetrating balls in the final third, Evesham were also looking pretty strong at the back with their big No 6 Linden Dovey in particular looking very strong.
On 19 minutes the menacing looking Ashley Edinborough let fly from 20 yards, but fortunately his effort went wide of Mowthorpe’s left hand post.
Totton were almost gifted a goal scoring opportunity on 21 minutes when a long Totton ball forward was chased down by Craig Feeney, as the Evesham keeper Sawyer attempted to kick the ball back downfield his clearance hit Feeney and span out to the right hand side of the box, Feeney got to the ball first, but the angle was acute. So, Feeney attempted to lay the ball back to Mouland, but a defenders foot prevented the ball arriving at the Totton striker’s feet and the danger was averted by Evesham.
Totton were starting to knock the ball around with more purpose and on 27 minutes a Stags move finished with Jamie Bullpit whipping in a lovely cross to Drew Bridge and Bridge’s effort was saved by Sawyer.
Totton put together another nice move and this move ended with Kyle O Brien shooting wide from 8 yards after a Gilbert cross from the right.
Totton had been getting on top as the first half progressed, but Evesham reminded them that they will still be a threat when Edinborough pulled a save out of Mowthorpe on 35 minutes.
Craig Feeney picked the ball up in midfield and took a few strides forward and he tried his luck with a shot from 30 yards, but his effort went a few feet over the bar.
Evesham then finished the half strongly. Firstly Kennedy robbed Hibberd out on their left, Kennedy then whipped in a dangerous cross that Jackson met but his effort was just over the bar.
Then out on the Evesham right inside their own half, the Robins No 10 Lance Smith picked up the ball and went on a terrific run. He beat three Totton players as he surged forward towards the box, he cut in towards goal and played in Edinborough, but Edinborough found himself with a tight angle, however, he decided to still try for goal, but his effort went behind the goal.
On the stroke of half time Kyle O Brien got down the Stags left and put in a lovely cross, but unfortunately nobody was able to get on the end of it.
Half Time 1-0
The 2nd half began with the Robins striker Sean Wood having a hopeful shot on goal that flashed harmlessly wide.
Totton then put together a lovely move that saw Hibberd play the ball into Gilbert, Gilbert then returned the pass to Hibberd who had continued his run down the right flank and Hibberd whipped in a cross the was met by Feeney, but his effort was just too high and it went a foot or two over the bar.
Totton then deservedly equalised when a great move saw Gilbert slip in a peach of a pass to FEENEY who slipped the ball past Sawyer and into the net. This was just rewards for Totton who were looking a real threat now.
Totton then had another chance when some trickery by Zac Mouland saw him work himself some space about 10 yards out, Zac tried a shot. Unfortunately, Zac’s shot lacked power and Sawyer was able to save without too much fuss.
Another neat Totton move saw Gilbert play in Mouland, Zac’s shot this time had a bit more power, but Sawyer was able to save once more.
Totton were looking more and more dangerous, their passing and movement was excellent and it was yet another lovely move that saw Totton take a 79th minute lead. Some good work by Hibberd saw him play in Jamie Bullpit, Bullpit then beat a player and zipped in a ball to FEENEY who shaped up and placed a shot beyond Sawyer and into the net.
Totton then had to withstand a little bit of late pressure when Lance smith got on the end of a Stanley cross but his header was way off target,
Evesham then were awarded a free kick out on the right as the clock ticked away. They whipped in a dangerous looking ball that Ashley Edinborough met with a downward header, but Steve Mowthorpe was on hand to gather it safely.
Full Time 1-2 to Totton.
So the Stags promising early season form continues. Evesham showed in the first 20 minutes that they are decent, As the game went on Totton got better, and in the end I think they just about deserved the three points. Craig Feeney is now showing that he more than capable of stepping up to Southern League football. He took both goals well and he has now bagged six goal already this season. The midfield pairing of Kyle O Brien and Liam Gilbert is looking pretty decent and defensively today the Flooks and Onoufriou partnerhip looked good. There is lots of things to be positive about now and this team is only going to get better.
On Monday we host Sholing in the Southampton derby 3pm. There should be a good crowd there for this. Come along and roar the Stags on!
Att 177
