AFC Totton
SWANS FLOAT BY STAGS WITH EASE
Slimbridge 3-0 AFC Totton
Attendance – 63 (approx. 15 Totton)
The Stags made one of their longest trips of the season to Slimbridge this afternoon. Totton were looking to bounce back from the Hampshire Senior Cup loss on Wednesday evening. Missing from the starting XI were Jake Burgess and Nathaniel Sherborne through injury. Yet to join up with The Stags is new duel signing Tony Lee.
It was the hosts who created the opening opportunity after 5 minutes, when Sean Lawson made some headway down The Stags right hand side, but as he squared, there was nobody to meet his delivery and the ball was cleared. Totton then seemed as though they were growing into the game, with Nick Watts driving down the wing to earn a corner which Jack Simpson headed just wide. Dave Allen and Watts again, both had opportunities to try their luck from distance, but the connection on either shot wasn’t great and the ball went wide on both occasions. It looked as though The Stags were really beginning to get the upper hand in the game as the midway point of the first half came and went. Although it was Slimbridge who eventually got themselves in front. A long, route one style clearance was made by Swans’ keeper Adam Thomas but The Stags defence weren’t able to deal with it, that left Paul FAHEY in a one on one situation with Mowthorpe and he finished well.
This didn’t deter Totton and they kept coming forward, looking for an equalizer. Luke Dempsey forced a good save from a header at the back post, following a Gosney corner. Again, Watts, on one of his runs, looked to pick out Gosney in the area, but Adam Thomas was there first to punch the ball to safety. Slimbridge were still offering attacking football aswell, as Fahey tried his luck and forced an outstanding save from Steve Mowthorpe to keep the game at 1-0. Although The Stags were working away hard in midfield, with Neil Williams and new, duel signing Jack Alexander, unfortunately The Stags would find themselves 2 down before the break. Sam Blackie managed to get away from his man and was able to deliver a low ball into the area for Adam MACE to pick his spot and direct the ball beyond the helpless Mowthorpe. HT 2-0
Almost immediately after the interval, Mowthorpe was in action again, this time, a good save from Jack Twyman’s effort. But it wouldn’t be enough to halt Slimbridge and just 7 minutes after the break, they were awarded a penalty. Goalscorer Fahey made a tricky run into the penalty area and was bought down by Liam Hibberd. FAHEY then dusted himself down to convert the penalty and effectively put the game to bed. On the hour mark, The Stags almost had a way back into the game, when the ball looped up in the air, following Thomas’ attempted punch, Edwards just had to nod the ball goalwards into an unguarded net, but it went wide. Slimbridge continued to create a few opportunities, but were in no real hurry to do so, although Mace went close with a long range effort. As the game entered the final 15 minutes, The Stags dominated the play and perhaps their best opportunity of goal was spurned. Gosney had worked well to get into position to shoot and brought the only save Adam Thomas had to make in the second half, the rebound fell to Williams who just had to tap the ball home, but the ball cannoned off his foot and over the bar, to the disbelief of everybody in the ground.
The Stags continued to battle and strive for a goal as Dave Allen tried to curl a shot home from 20 yards, but his attempt went well over. Mike Gosney won a freekick which, he got up to take himself but it was an uncharacteristically tame effort that dribbled wide. Matt Brewer also had an attempt from distance but couldn’t trouble Thomas. The final few minutes wouldn’t have disappointed the neutral for action either. Mowthorpe was called upon again, having to tip over a cheeky chipped effort from Sean Lawson. The Stags had the final say in the game, but couldn’t sign off with a goal. Gosney ran at the defence and fired in a shot from the edge of the area, which bobbled on its way through and forced Thomas to turn the ball behind for a corner. From the corner, James Roden got up well at the back post, but his header went a few inches wide. FT 3-0
The Stags went into this game on the back of a disappointing loss in the Cup, this past week. However, they began the game really well and seemed as though they were about to gain the upper hand, when Slimbridge dealt their first blow. Unfortunately, from there on, it was a difficult task to breakdown a defiant defence, who sensed a home victory. The Stags now have another cup game this Tuesday 20th October in the Red Insure Cup 1st Round when the entertain Bashley at Testwood Stadium.
Stags Lineup: Mowthorpe, Hibberd (c)***, Diaper, Williams, Dempsey, Simpson, Watts, Allen, Edwards*, Alexander**, Gosney.
Subs: Hollick, Roden***, Rawkins**, Brewer*.
