AFC Totton
Photo courtesy of Oli Blackburn
By Josh Cole
AFC Totton were defeated 3–1 by play-off-chasing Maidstone at the Gallagher Stadium on Non-League Day.
The early stages of the game set the tone, with Maidstone looking threatening from wide areas. Jephte Tanga had the first chance on goal within two minutes, but his effort was saved by the feet of Ryan Gosney.
A couple of minutes later, Jamie Yila danced his way into the box but, leaning back, fired his shot over the bar.
Totton had their first chance in the 10th minute when Ralph Vigrass found some space in the box, but his shot was saved low down by Lenny Holden.
In the 26th minute, Tony Lee attempted an audacious volley from 25 yards out. It almost caught Holden out, but fizzed just wide.
Two minutes later, Luke Bennett attempted to clear the ball in his own box, but it was charged down by Yila. The ricochet had to be well saved by Ryan Gosney.
Maidstone took the lead in the 38th minute through a deft header from George Fowler. A dangerous ball across the six-yard box from Riley Court was recycled by Lexus Beeden to TJ Bramble, whose cross was inch-perfect and flicked past Gosney into the net.
The second half started as the first ended, with the Stones on top, and it was bodies on the line for the Stags to keep the game at 1–0.
The longer the game stayed at 1–0, the better it was for AFC Totton, as they looked to grab a scrappy equaliser and get back into the game.
In the 71st minute, that goal came from a corner. Declan Rose’s deep delivery met the head of captain Tyler Cordner, who directed his effort towards the front post. Christie Ward managed to flick the ball goalbound, but it was cleared off the line, however, the linesman and referee judged that the ball had crossed the line.
This goal sparked Totton into life, with confidence flowing through their veins, and they began to take control. However, a second goal didn’t come, and Maidstone took their chance to regain control of the game.
A route-one kick from Holden was flicked on by Kargbo to Court, who slipped in John Gilbert. He made no mistake, and the ball found the back of the net to restore Maidstone’s lead in the 78th minute.
The home side sealed all three points in the 88th minute when a mix-up between Cordner and Mike Carter allowed Court to break free. He bore down on goal, but his shot was saved by Gosney into the path of Tanga, who couldn’t miss the open net.
Maidstone saw the game out to keep their play-off chances alive.
For Totton, it’s an unusually quick turnaround, with a trip to Chelmsford on Monday night up next.
AFC Totton XI: 13. Ryan Gosney, 5. Luke Hallett, 7. Ash Clarke, 10. Tony Lee (Malachi Linton 68’), 12. Jake Grante (Mike Carter 86’), 17. Dec Rose, 22. Luke Bennett (Dan O’Connor 46’), 23. Ralph Vigrass (Dylan Andrews 86’), 24. Vaugh Covil & 26. Tyler Cordner ©.
Unused sub: 27. Craig Tanner
Attendance: 2,134
GO STAGS
