Image courtesy of Harvey Gerring
PRINCEWILL DOUBLE FOILS STAGS
Pre-season friendly: AFC Totton 0-2 Southampton XI
By Sean McGlead
On a scorching hot day the Stags took on a Saints XI in their 1st game at the Snows Stadium since the Play-off final victory over Gloucester City last May. Understandably many people decided against coming to the game on such a scorching hot and sunny day, and opted for the beach instead! A modest crowd of just under 400 braved the heat to attend the game.
The game itself saw Saints knock the ball around in the early stages, but the Stags were looking water-tight at the back, not allowing the young Saints to get in behind them or create anything worthwhile in terms of chances. In fact as the half wore on the Stags looked more and more comfortable on the ball, and it was they who were looking the more likely to create something. Malachi Linton was posing problems down the right, but for me it was Christie Ward and Christos Batzelis who were really catching the eye.
The 1st chance of the game did not arrive until the 42nd minute when Malachi Linton set up Scott Rendell, who was 14 yards out, but he couldn’t keep his shot down, and the ball fizzed a few feet over the Saints crossbar.
As I mentioned above Christie Ward looks a good signing on the evidence of today’s performance, and more good work from Ward ended with Linton pulling a save from Saints keeper Dylan Moody.
Half-time
Just a moment or two after the re-start Saints got their noses in front when Princewill Ehibhatiomhan got put through and lifted the ball over Max Evans who seemed to be caught in two minds as to whether he should come out to the Saints No22 or stay closer to his goal.
Totton had made changes at the break and one of the trialists attempted to play a ball across the box from the right-hand byline, but it was cut out.
Lee Hodson, the experienced for Glasgow Rangers man was also looking a decent addition to the Stags squad, and he was fouled just outside the right-hand side of the area, he took the free kick himself, and a Saints defender headed it out for a corner.
Luke Bennett was having a decent game too getting forward down the right-hand side and he put in a high quality cross that was crying out for a Totton player to get on the end of it, but an alert Saints defender cleared the ball away.
There was a period of pressure shortly after wards from the Stags and it resulted in the Saints keeper having to make a save. I was still busy writing notes and missed whose chance it was, I was told it was possibly a save from Ward?
Saints then showed their quality and doubled their lead when the Stags defence was caught flat footed and this allowed that man Princewill Ehibhatiomhan to get around Evans and plant the ball into the Totton net, despite the best efforts of a Totton defender who got back to the goal line.
Princewill Ehibhatiomhan was not far away from completing his hat-trick when he unleashed a fierce shot that was beaten away by Evans and then cleared.
Luke Bennett was fouled, and Totton were awarded another free kick, the kick was taken by Ward, who lifted the ball to the back of the 6-yard box and Magri headed the ball back into the danger area, but the Saints defenders cleared the ball away.
Full-time: AFC Totton 0 Southampton XI 2
There was plenty to be positive about from the Totton players, especially before half-time when The Stags didn’t allow Saints a single chance. There was some pleasing football too with Christie Ward, Christos Batzelis and Malachi Linton all impressing. Lee Hodson looks an astute signing as does Brandon Haunstrup, that’s not to say that others didn’t play well, I thought there were good performances all over the pitch. I certainly believe Jimmy will find lots of positives from the game.
Starting Line ups…..AFC Totton, Evans, Oastler, Haunstrup, Carter, Hodson, Rendell, Linton, Rose, Ward, Batzelis, Bennett SUBS Hallett, Magri, Lee, Trialist A, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D
Saints XI…….Moody, Davis, Sesay, Moore, Fry, Williams, Charles, Kakay, Oyekunle, Dipepa, Myers. SUBS Tabares, Lawrence, Dobson-Ventura, Okunola, Bragg, Akachukwu, Reeves, O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Udoh, Ehibhatiomhan.
NEXT UP: AFC Portchester at the Snows Stadium this coming Tuesday 15th July 7.45pm.
AFC Totton
