AFC Totton
Langdown lucks out in first outing as Stags boss
Attendance – 197 By Talia Jones
LOUIS Langdown’s first game in charge of AFC Totton ended in defeat today, as North Leigh won convincingly with a 3-0 victory at the Testwood Stadium.
Totton’s two new mid-week signings both started in Langdown’s debut; Charlie Searle between the sticks in place of regular Steven Mowthorpe, and Assistant Coach Adam Wilde filling in at left-back to replace the suspended Ian Oliver.
It was a fairly quiet opening, with both sides showing signs of promising attacks, but neither team could break through the opposite defence.
Finally, the game came to life after 20 minutes – Sam Roberts’ cross into the box found Dan Munday, who turned and struck the ball just inches wide of ‘keeper Emmanuel Agboola’s far post. But the Stags were undone moments later.
A lack of concentration from a long goal kick gave George Seacole a chance, running through the sleepy defence and smashing the ball through Searle’s legs to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
The Stags would have two golden opportunities to equalise before the break with decent strikes from distance; the first from Nick Watts and the second from Munday, but both were saved by the resilient Agboola, smothering them on the line.
Half time came and went, and the Stags had given Langdown plenty to think about in his first team talk. On 49 minutes, it looked as though his words of wisdom had paid off – Watts one-on-one with the keeper, driving the ball round him, but could only ruffle the outside of the net.
Wilde was living up to his name at the start of the second half – a decision from the linesman not sitting right with the Totton player/assistant manager and making his feelings known to the nearside assistant referee was a highlight in the press box.
On the hour mark, Watts was involved once more, this time pinging a peach of a ball from the half way line, spotting Ashley Jarvis’ run in the box. It looked as though Jarvis was bringing Totton right back into the game with half an hour to play, but to the fans’ disappointment, was flagged for offside.
But again, concentration got the better of the Stags. A corner from North Leigh’s Michael Hopkins appeared to be overcooked, but Stuart Hole was at the back post to head in from just two yards out to double their advantage.
And the game was killed off in the 69th minute, the same combination of Hopkins’ corner and Hole’s header secured the three goals and the three points for the away side.
Totton were still creating chances before the full-time whistle, most notably Watts’ wonder-strike on the half-volley from 25 yards out to keep Agboola on his toes and awake in goal, but couldn’t find a way past the in-form ‘keeper.
There’s plenty of work to be done by Langdown and Wilde, but there were glimpses of the passing and precision that Totton have been lacking in. Their next game is a trip to Larkhall on Tuesday before a huge away game at top of the table Hereford.
It is a tough start for the new manager, but one he will certainly be up for.
Totton starting line-up: Searle, Hibberd, Wilde, Williams, Allen, Roberts, Watts, Gunson, Munday, Jarvis*, Gosney.
Substitutes: Hellyar, Knight*, Hunt, Haynes, Mowthorpe.
