AFC Totton
FIVE STAR STAGS CRUISE TO VICTORY
Bridgwater Town 0-5 AFC Totton
Attendance – 190
The Stags today travelled to Somerset, looking for back to back wins, following their 2-1 win over Yate last time out. They were without Manning, Edwards, Lilley and Rawkins, however, they welcomed back Mike Gosney and Nick Watts to the squad.
The Stags came out of the traps quickly and were immediately causing problems and panicking the hosts into upending Mike Gosney in the area and conceding a penalty, which GOSNEY stepped up and duly despatched, with just 2 minutes gone. Moments later, The Stags mounted another attack, with Gosney being given the opportunity to look up and shoot at goal with his left foot, his effort cracked the angle of the post and bar, the rebound fell to Sherborne, but he couldn’t steer his effort towards goal. Bridgwater’s first opportunity of note came courtesy of a short corner, following a rare first half forage forward, however the attempt only found the side netting and didn’t trouble Steve Mowthorpe in goal.
With just over 20 minutes gone, Craig FEENEY picked up on a loose ball, before darting straight towards Bridgwater’s right full back. As he entered the area, he looked up and curled a sublime effort towards the far right hand top corner. It was an absolute peach of a finish that left the keeper with no chance. Totton kept pressing as Gosney delivered a corner into the area, the ball was nodded away as far as Burgess, on the edge of the area, who swung his right foot to catch a first time volley that went over, but it was a good effort given the technicality of what he had to do. As half time approached, Totton remained the side playing the better football, as Bridgwater struggled to gather any momentum to put together an assault on The Stags’ goal. Gosney was fed in by Feeney and his effort was blocked ️well by the keeper and unfortunately, Gosney only managed to poke the rebound wide, although it came at him very quickly.
Totton’s pressure and tempo were finally rewarded with a 3rd goal just before half time. A long ball was played out from The Stags defence, and as FEENEY chased alongside Bridgwater’s central defender, he had the physical strength to battle his way past and made no mistake as he finished off his chance, infront of the delighted travelling supporters. HT 0-3
Bridgwater seemed to start the second period with a bit more about them and it wasn’t long before Stags stopper Mowthorpe was called upon to make a couple of saves. First of all, he managed to tip a long range effort over the bar, which was surely destined for the net. Then had to be alert as Bridgwater had a Freekick in a dangerous position, but the danger was dealt with. The hosts were certainly seeing more of the ball as the hour mark came and went, but ultimately were unable to seriously threaten the Totton goal. The Stags then began to come forward once again themselves having soaked up some pressure and the lively Feeney broke free down the left hand side and as he delivered the ball into the box, Neil Williams was first to the ball, but he had to stretch to meet the cross and he skewed the chance wide. Totton kept coming forward, looking to add more goals and keep their foot ‘on the gas’. This time, Gosney was the provider for Feeney, who was put through in a one on one situation, but put the ball wide of the post, when most Totton supporters would’ve backed him to score. Unfortunately he will have to wait for next week to score his hat-trick!! With just 15 minutes left, the game seemed to spark into life with a flurry of action.
The Stags weren’t to be denied though as Jake Burgess delivered a very dangerous ball into the area and it was met with a glancing header by Jack SIMPSON. However, a minute or so later, down the other end, Mowthorpe came out to meet the advancing striker and clear the ball, but the referee felt that Mowthorpe had caught too much the man and pointed to the spot. Up stepped Josh Wadam, who put his penalty wide. The Stags seemed to be buoyed even further by this and with 10 minutes to go, Gosney put across yet another corner for Totton, this time it was Nathaniel SHERBORNE, who was on the end of it. The game then petered out, a couple of changes were made by Totton, including the introduction of Lee Burch, The Stags head coach, who almost made an immediate impact, having attempted to square for Sherborne, the Bridgwater defence were back just in the nick of time to clear their lines. FT 0-5
It now sets us up nicely for another trip next Saturday 26th September, 3pm, to high flying Cinderford Town.
Stags Lineup: Mowthorpe, Hibberd(c), Diaper*, Williams*** Dempsey**, Simpson, Burgess, Allen, Feeney, Sherborne, Gosney.
Subs: Watts, Roden*, Burt**, Burch***.
