AFC Totton
STAGS BOW OUT OF HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP
AFC TOTTON'S HAMPSHIRE SENIOR CUP campaign ended at the first hurdle at the hands of AFC Bournemouth.
The Stags started the brighter of the two sides, controlling possession in the opening five minutes, which resulted with an Ethan Taylor shot going just wide of the post.
AFC Bournemouth then began to show their quality, with a Lewis Brown shot stinging the palms of Josh Gould.
The Cherries broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, when Jonny STUTTLE fired past Gould following a rapid counter-attack led by Koby Mottoh.
Two minutes later, Ethan Taylor almost put Totton on level terms with an audacious acrobatic effort, which sailed just over the right-hand post.
Bournemouth came close to doubling their lead after Ben Jefford’s heavy touch fell to former Stags loanee Ben Winterburn who failed to capitalise, scuffing his shot wide. Then, Ash Clarke fired into the side-netting from close range on the half-hour mark.
Luke Hallett was shown the game's first yellow card after he kicked the ball away in frustration, with Bournemouth starting to control large parts of the game.
Totton found themselves trailing by one goal to nil at half-time, despite a late effort from Tom Blair which was straight at Cherries keeper Cal McKenna.
Jimmy Ball made a quadruple switch at the break, with Ben Jefford, Ethan Taylor, Luke Hallett and Josh Owers making way for Dec Rose, Joe Oastler, Charlie Kennedy and Tony Lee, in an effort to find the leveller.
The changes gave The Stags a new lease of energy at the start of the second half, with them once again starting the better of the two sides.
Marcus Daws had the first effort of the half from the left-hand edge of the area but his effort lacked power, proving no trouble for keeper McKenna.
The visitors extended their lead through Koby MOTTOH'S powerful strike past the stretching Gould in the 55th minute.
Just before the hour, The Cherries made it three through Ash CLARKE, who fired into the net after the ball fell into his path following a fantastic initial save from Gould.
With The Stags still probing, trying to find a way back into the game, Daws drove into the box riding numerous challenges from Bournemouth defenders before going down, but the penalty appeals were quickly waved away by referee, Matthew Russell.
Charlie Austin was the fifth and final substitution in place of Tom Blair in an attempt to find some magic and a way to stay in the Hampshire Senior Cup.
Ash CLARKE made it 4-0 to Bournemouth with just 10 minutes to go, ending the Stags' hopes of progressing to the next round, despite a stoppage time consolation goal from in-form hitman Charlie AUSTIN, who stabbed home during a goalmouth scramble following a corner.
The Stags return to league action on Saturday, looking to get back to winning ways with an away trip to Bracknell Town.
Full-Time: AFC TOTTON 1-4 AFC BOURNEMOUTH
Attendance: 309
Man of the Match: Koby MOTTOH (AFCB)
Entertainment Value: 3/5
Author: Jon DUNCALF
