AFC Totton
Stags denied by play-off chasing Tiverton
Attendance – 160
AFC Totton lost only their second game in the last 11 matches, being outmuscled by a dominant Tiverton Town side 2-1 at Ladysmead.
Totton made the most of a bright start, capitalising in just 90 seconds of the first whistle. Dylan Knight created a weight-perfect pass to Nick Watts on the wing, running into the box, tricking one defender and then slotting the ball into the far corner.
It was almost 2-0 with just seven minutes on the clock after Mitch Hunt’s floating cross into the box. Watts was the target once more, but his header went inches over the crossbar.
An impressive double save by Tiverton goalkeeper, Joe Perry, denied Nathaniel Sherborne twice in just ten seconds – the first, a wonder strike from 30 yards out beaten away by an outstretched glove and the second, a scuffed shot making its way to the grateful keeper.
Not to be outdone by Perry’s earlier heroics, Steve Mowthorpe produced an equally-stunning one-handed save to prevent a looping header finding the far corner at the other end.
The pressure mounted from the Tiverton forwards before half time, with chances falling to Owen Howe and then a header from Levi Landricombe just over the bar, but they couldn’t take their chances before the half time whistle.
Totton’s makeshift defence looked like they were starting to tire after the break, as Tiverton’s attacks went from strength to strength, and less than ten minutes into the second half, the Devon side had levelled the tie up.
Defender, Mike Williams found acres of space down the wing, and crossed the ball into the 6-yard area – Howe converted the cross, chesting it past Mowthorpe and into the middle of the goal.
Tiverton weren’t done yet, and the Stags were living dangerously. Two misses from Landricombe and a feisty encounter between Liam Hibberd and Tivvy’s Dan Smith left the game along with the tackles, hotting up with half an hour left on the clock.
The home side completed the comeback with 15 minutes left – Howe capitalising on a defensive error and hammering home the ball across goal to earn the three points.
North Leigh will be the visitors at the Testwood Stadium next Saturday, with the away side also chasing promotion, but the Stags should be strengthened with the return of a couple of key players.
AFC Totton Starting line-up: Mowthorpe, Hibberd, Hunt**, Williams***, Rolls, Oliver, Watts, Alexander, Knight*, Sherborne, Gosney.
Substitutes: Burgess**, Morris, Gamble*, Lilley***, Wagstaffe
By Talia Jones
