Stags let it slip

PLENTY OF POSITIVES DESPITE LOSS AGAINST PROMOTION FAVOURITES

Taunton Town 3-2 AFC Totton

The Stags kicked off their Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West campaign with a visit to Somerset and Taunton Town. Marc Diaper was still unavailable for Totton with a calf injury.

The opening exchanges were as expected, with both sides trying to get the ball down and have some real possession. It was The Stags who had the first opportunity of note after 4 minutes as Nick Watts made a driving run to the byline, but as he put the ball across the face of goal, the referee had spotted an infringement. As The Stags continued to attack and cause problems for Taunton, Craig Feeney made his way to the byline whilst holding off a challenge and cut back across goal, after a deflection, the ball found it’s way to Nick WATTS who was on hand to turn the ball home, albeit, with the aid of another deflection.

It didn’t take Taunton long before they got themselves back into the game. A long, route one style ball was played from goalkeeper Lloyd Irish and first to the ball was Josh KLEIN-DAVIS who slipped the ball past Mowthorpe in a one on one situation, levelling the score after 15 minutes. Taunton were buoyed by their goal, Klein-Davis and Jamie Price combined down the right hand side for ‘The Peacocks’, but the shot was a combination of over and wide by Klein-Davis. With around half an hour gone, The Stags came forward as Watts ran at Taunton’s retreating defence and played the ball across for Lilley, who just took a moment too long and as he swung his boot, his effort was blocked by Lewis Waldy. A minute or 2 later down the other end, Jamie Price had a header, from a corner, which hit a cluster of bodies and a mini scramble ensued, but Totton stood firm. The Stags also ended the 1st half quite strongly. Firstly, Gosney played a nice ball in towards Watts, who picked it up and had a shot from around 20 yards, but this time, his effort was only a yard or so wide of the post.

Finally, just before half time, Watts – who was a nuisance to Taunton all afternoon, foraged forward, but again Lewis Waldy was alert and put in a good challenge to stop Watts from delivering into the area. HT 1-1

Taunton came out all guns blazing in the second half and just 2 minutes into it, Klein-Davis had an opportunity but shot high and wide, with Liam Hibberd in close quarters. In truth, Taunton had Totton penned into their own half for the 1st 10 minutes of the second half, but then The Stags had a good breakaway opportunity. The ball was cleared up to Feeney, who played a lovely ball to Watts, who managed to cut inside and get away from Waldy, his shot was blocked and the follow up was hit straight at the keeper by Hibberd. Soon afterwards, Taunton were back on the attack and this time Klein-Davis forced a decent save out of Steve Mowthorpe to win a corner. It was only one attack later when Taunton took the lead, in the 65th minute. It was a really fluent move by Taunton as Josh Searle combined with Klein-Davis down the left hand side, Klein-Davis crossed the ball and it was met by the head of Jamie SHORT who directed his header past Mowthorpe and into the corner of the net.

The Stags then made a change, with Dave Allen being replaced by Jake Burgess, which proved to be a great choice by boss Steve Hollick as moments after being introduced, Burgess made an impact. As The Stags advanced on another counter attack, Burgess split the Taunton defence with a lovely pass and Mike GOSNEY made no mistake in bringing Totton level, having been put in a one on one. The Stags then tried to get themselves back in front as again, Nick Watts made another strong and direct run, his pass found Sherborne, who had to turn and shoot quickly, unfortunately Sherborne didn’t get a ️sweet connection and the ball drifted through to Lloyd Irish. That proved to be The Stags last chance of note, as with just 7 minutes left on the clock, disaster struck for Totton. Watts had lost possession of the ball after trying to break away as Taunton went in search of their winner, Ben Carter then had the chance to run at Dempsey and beat him for pace, to put in the cross for KLEIN-DAVIS to head in.

It was perhaps a bit harsh on The Stags, who had done well, but at the same time, Taunton will feel that they got their just desserts. The game wasn’t over there though and in injury time, The Stags had a penalty appeal waved away. As Feeney battled for the ball with Jak Martin, it appeared that the ball touched Martin’s arm as he attempted to control the ball, but the referee waved away the protests. That was the last bit of action in the game and seconds later, the referee blew the final whistle, condemning The Stags to an opening day defeat at Taunton.

Coming away to a Taunton side is a tough test for anyone on the opening day of the season. But The Stags again, have plenty of positives to take away from this game. Taunton will no doubt be in the hunt for promotion again this season and Totton certainly showed they can mix it with sides like that. Perhaps a few things still need to be straightened out, but it’s still been encouraging for The Stags, even in defeat.

Attendance – 282

Stags Lineup: Mowthorpe, Dempsey, Hibberd, Rolls, Roden, Williams, Allen, Watts, Gosney, Lilley, Feeney.

Subs: Attrill, Greene, Sherborne, Burgess, Edwards.