Valiant Display From Totton Earns Three Points On Home Soil

Photo courtesy of Ben Cole

By Josh Cole

AFC Totton produced a gutsy display, full of grit and energy as we beat Torquay United 1-0!

After a difficult period recently for The Stags, they made a great start in the first half, and were looking dangerous early on…

There were gaps in behind Torquay which Ash Clarke and Tony Lee were trying to penetrate but weren’t timing their runs and were being caught offside.

In the 19^th minute Clarke found himself in on goal one-on-one with the ‘keeper but unfortunately the Torquay goalie pulled off a good save to deny Totton’s number seven.

24 minutes on the clock and new debutant in goal Jacob Knightbridge was called into action and made a magnificent save to tip the ball around the post for a corner, what an introduction to the Stags faithful!

Ten minutes on from that Clarke cannoned the ball off the inside of the post, so unlucky.

Then on the 44^th minute, Totton took the lead! Clarke again at the forefront of the move.

He attacked down the right-flank of The Stags and dinked a delicate ball into the box, and it was met by Brandon Haunstrup and he volleyed it home!

The second half continued in the same vein, Torquay having possession but Totton attacking quickly on the counter-attacked.

On the 60^th minute, Haunstrup was adjudged to have kicked the ball away, Stags down to ten…

Just a minute later, misery was compiled onto Totton, with Torquay winning a penalty for a tussle in the box.

Jordan Young stepped up to get The Gulls back on level terms but skied his spot kick, much to the enjoyment from everyone in Blue at the Snows Stadium.

With 10-men, The Stags were defending hard and Torquay were having a lot of the ball and shotting from range, but Knightbridge was equal to everything.

In the 90^th minute and additional time, Tyler Cordner completed TWO clearances off the lien to deny the away side and give Totton three points!

It was a valiant effort from every player in Blue out there.

AFC Totton XI: 31. Jacob Knightbridge, 2. Joe Oastler ©, 3. Brandon Haunstrup, 5. Luke Hallett, 6. Dan O’Connor, 7. Ash Clarke (Sam Ashford 86’), 10. Tony Lee (Tyler Cordner 89’), 12. Charlie Osborne, 17. Dec Rose, 27. Craig Tanner & 28. Jacob Towns (Lee Hodson 70’).

Unused subs: 1. Max Evans, 9. Scott Rendell, 21. Christos Batzelis & 29. Hisham Kasimu.

Attendance: 1,903

GO STAGS