GOALLESS IN GLOUCESTER AS STAGS AND TIGERS SHARE THE POINTS

AFC TOTTON EARNED a hard-fought point from a 0-0 draw with Gloucester City at the TigerTurf Stadium in the Southern League Premier Division South.

The opening 30 minutes was a tight affair. Gloucester had the first real chance on goal but Stags 'keeper Ryan Gosney was equal to it. Another good chance fell to the home side on 40 minutes, when Joe Hanks unleashed an effort that Gosney saved on the line with his feet.

Adam Tomasso had a shot bravely blocked by Tyrone Duffus after a flowing Totton move presented the midfielder with the chance to take aim from the edge of the penalty area.

Early in the second half, wide-man Ellis Watts worked his way from the right-wing touchline to the edge of the box in a more central position before firing narrowly over the crossbar. Soon after, Tony Lee's first sniff of a chance saw the striker fire marginally wide from a tight angle to the left of goal.

The Stags picked up momentum and increaed their urgency but the all-important final pass, crucial touch or eventual shot let them down when it mattered, amid some resolute home defending. With 15 minutes to go, George Franklin got forward from right-back to drill a low ball into the area that substitute Charlie Austin clipped just over the bar at the near post.

Both defensive units worked tirelessly to force opposing attackers into wide areas but all too often, crosses and corners failed to produce clear-cut scoring opportunities.

Craig Tanner came close to breaking the deadlock from a 25-yard free-kick that he curled around the left side of the four-man defensive wall; Tigers goalkeeper Jared Thompson got down sharply and held on well.

Despite a period of concentrated home team possession in stoppage time and a flurry of set-pieces in the Totton half, Ryan Gosney's clean sheet also remained unsullied - not least, thanks to the 'keeper catching a close-range Kieran Phillips header on the line with virtually the last action of the game.

Full-Time: GLOUCESTER CITY 0-0 AFC TOTTON

AFC TOTTON - Starting XI: 13. Ryan Gosney, 2. Joe Oastler, 5. Charlie Kennedy, 6. Sam Magri, 7. Ben Seymour (Scott Rendell 64’), 8. Adam Tomasso, 10. Ethan Taylor, 14. Craig Tanner, 17. George Franklin, 18. Tony Lee (Charlie Austin 64’), & Richard McIntyre (Luke Bennett 81’).

Attendance: 1,492
Star Man: Ellis WATTS (Gloucester City)
Entertainment Value: 2/5
Author: Joshua Cole

Images courtesy of Jamie Brain Photography

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