AFC Totton
Attendance: 1,519 with 112 away
By Josh Cole
Totton travelled to Meadowbank for matchday EIGHT of the Enterprise National League South and narrowly lost, 2-1.
Six minutes in, Dorking had a huge chance. From a corner, a header at the front post was destined for the goal but Ryan Gosney managed to claw it away off the line!
19 minutes on the clock, a chance fell the way of Malachi Linton, and he fired it at goal towards the near post, but it was saved by Joe Wright.
On the 25th minute it was good work down the left-hand side from The Stags and Linton got the ball to Craig Tanner whose shot just went wide of the far post.
Totton did take the lead in the 30th minute and the move was fashioned down the right side, with superb close control from Ash Clarke and Christie Ward, from which he saw space open up to have a shot and the ‘keeper couldn’t hold on, spilling it to TONY LEE who, from an acute angle, punished the mistake.
After the goal Dorking controlled the play and started to dictate the tempo.
Their due reward came just before half-time on the 45th minute, a brilliant cross from Jimmy Muitt found the head of ALFIE RUTHERFORD and he glanced his header over Gosney and in to level the score.
The second half started slow, both teams cautious with their play and not creating many, if any, chances.
A second goal for Dorking came in the 63rd minute after a long throw was allowed to bounce around the box before it was poked home by CHARLIE CARTER to put the home side in front.
Just two minutes later Totton were replying well, Ward found space on the edge and unleashed a shot at goal which the ‘keeper tipped over.
With the 2-1 lead, Dorking started to manage the game and were keeping hold of the ball, taking time with any stoppages.
Totton had two chances from the edge of the box but both shots were palmed away by the ‘keeper, either side of him and the story could’ve been different.
92nd minute, Dorking should’ve sealed the game after Gosney parried Carter’s effort right into the path of Jason Prior and with the goal gaping, he put his shot over from inside the six-yard box.
But it wouldn’t end up mattering as Dorking sealed all three points at a sunny Meadowbank.
AFC Totton Starting XI: 13. Ryan Gosney, 2. Joe Oastler, 4. Mike Carter (Scott Rendell 59’), 7. Ash Clarke (Hisham Kasimu 59’), 10. Tony Lee, 11. Malachi Linton (Ralph Vigrass 83’), 19. Christie Ward, 20. Ryan Jackson, 21. Christos Batzelis (Dec Rose 59’), 26. Tyler Cordner & 27. Craig Tanner (Luke Hallett 83’).
Unused subs: 16. Josh Dolling & 22. Luke Bennett
GO STAGS
