AFC Totton
PURPLES BRUISE STAGS TO BOOK PLACE IN THIRD ROUND OF SOUTHAMPTON SENIOR CUP
Jimmy Ball’s men were left reflecting on what could have been after a cup game that went the distance, losing to 10-men despite opportunities to beat their opposition in normal time.
AFC Stoneham’s fine form continued as the away team produced a solid performance to overcome the home side, whose dreams of a record-breaking fourth consecutive SDFA Southampton Senior Cup title were shattered.
Wholesale changes were made to keep The Stags' squad fresh, following a quick turnaround after last Saturday’s 2-0 away win to Marlow and this Friday's visit to Gosport Borough.
The tempo was set early with Leo Taylor lucky to escape with just a talking-to by referee Lee Nowacki following a late tackle. Duarte Martins went close in the 7th minute with a free hit that had power but lacked accuracy.
On 10 minutes, Will Keita was unable to continue for Totton after pulling up, replaced by Mason Redwood.
Stoneham’s Jamie Johnston missed a clear-cut one-on-one opportunity, after being put clean through in the 15th minute, with a tame effort into the keepers' midriff that Max Evans gratefully received.
Despite this miss, Johnston was the star of the first half, looking a class above down the right-hand side. His exploits continued as he whipped a teasing cross that was only just dealt with by the Totton defence.
Stoneham got their deserved rewards in the 27th minute with Tyrell SAMPSON’S inspiring run on the counter-attack leading to the cup-tie's opening goal, a cultured finish that sailed past Evans from inside the box.
Stoneham were unlucky not to add to the scoreline with nice interplay from Annetts and Martins culminating with the No.9 blasting over the bar with a first-time shot.
The second half started in a lively fashion. Stoneham's Tyrell Sampson was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident that left Taylor on the ground, holding his face.
Remus NIXON made the numerical advantage count in the 64th minute, with a lovely turn and close-range finish to bring the home side level.
Stoneham goalkeeper Ross Casey produced a point-blank save to deny Nixon, after a delicious cross from Totton's right was volleyed at goal by the young centre-forward. There were "hand-ball" shouts from The Stags' bench, demanding a penalty when Taylor's cross from the right struck a defender's arm, but the referee waved play-on.
Connor Bent had a late opportunity to win it for the home side but he was unable to connect from a teasing left-wing cross that evaded both him and Casey. Totton kept searching but they could not produce a late winner, and the cup-tie went to a penalty shoot-out.
Jake THOMSON went first for Stoneham, and scored with a well-placed finish into the left-hand corner for 1-0; a stuttered run-up from Hugo RAWLINGS made it honours even at 1-1.
Owen FEE sent Evans the wrong way with a calm finish to make it 2-1; Scott RENDELL made no mistake, expertly tucking his penalty into the left-hand side of the goal - 2-2.
The composed Duarte MARTINS sent his effort straight down the middle to maintain Stoneham's 100% record for 3-2; Charlie KENNEDY rolled the ball past Casey for a deft finish to level the scores once again at 3-3.
Jim ORVIS fired his spot-kick into the bottom-left corner to make it 4-3; Remus NIXON ensured Totton kept pace, despite Casey getting a hand on it as the ball nestled in the bottom-right corner... 4-4.
Oliver JENKINS finished in the same vein as his teammates, with a cool and composed penalty to make it 5-4 to AFC Stoneham; Jack Masterton needed to score to keep Totton in the cup-tie, but his tame shot was parried by Ross CASEY to win it for The Purples.
Full-Time: AFC TOTTON DEV. SQUAD 1-1 AFC STONEHAM
(AFC Stoneham won 5-4 on penalties)
Attendance: 463
Star Man: Ross CASEY (AFC Stoneham)
Entertainment Value: 3/5
Author: Ashley Whiteway
The LONG READ: AFC Totton Dev. Squad 1-1 AFC Stoneham (4-5 on pens)
