AFC Totton
Photo courtesy of Ben Brees
By Cameron Meech
AFC Totton returned to winning ways, narrowly beating Maidenhead 2-1 at the Snows Stadium a result that sees the Stags climb to fourth.
In damp conditions at the Snows Stadium, Totton started the quicker and had the first chance when Brandon Haunstrup's cross found Scott Rendell, who headed over.
Ash Clarke has been in fine form for the Stags since returning on loan from Bournemouth and was played in by Declan Rose; however, his effort went wide.
The hosts then had the ball in the net when an excellent dummy from Rendell found Clarke, who tapped home; however, the flag was up.
Maidenhead then had their first chance of the game when Liam Dulson's low effort was saved well by Matt Hall.
Fullback Christos Batzelis then found the lively Clarke whose effort was cleared of the line by the visitors' captain Will De Havilland.
The Stags then opened the scoring when a Rose corner found the head of Tyler Cordner whose effort was saved by Van Stappershoef before Joe Oastler was jolly on the spot to tap home.
Rendell then went close to repeating his wonder strike on the weekend, but this time firing over from the edge of the box.
The Magpies were then awarded a spot kick when former Totton player Ragguettes’ cross hit the arm of a Stags defender, with referee Hughes pointing to the spot.
Umerah dispatched the penalty down the middle to give the visitors the equaliser against the run of play.
The visitors then dominated the last murmurings of the half with the score level going into the interval.
Totton then had the first real chance of the second half when Haunstrup's cross was cleared only to Hodson, whose effort fired over.
The former Crystal Palace graduate Ryan Bartley then went for goal all of thirty yards out, with his effort clearing the crossbar.
Dangerman Dulson then ventured into the box before firing an effort into the throat of Hall.
The former Cheltenham forward then went close again with his low effort dragging wide of the post.
Totton then regained the lead when Batzelis found substitute Malachi Linton, who calmly passed to Christie Ward to tap home from mere yards out.
Robinson then went close to an immediate response, but his volley went wide of the post.
The hosts then went agonisingly close to scoring a third when Luke Hallet header caused mayhem with the visitors scrambling out to safety on the goal line.
With five minutes added on, Totton were backs to the wall defending, with the visitors using the blustery conditions to their advantage.
However, they were unable to find the leveller with Totton picking up a vital three points at home.
The Stags are next in action on Saturday, hosting Ebbsfleet United at The Snows Stadium.
AFC Totton XI: 24 Matt Hall, 2. Joe Oastler 3. Brandon Haunstrup (Luke Hallett 59'), 7. Ash Clark (Malachi Linton 59'), 8. Lee Hodson, 9. Scott Rendell, 10. Tony Lee, 17. Declan Rose (Luke Bennett 59'), 19. Christie Ward, 21. Christos Batzelis , & 26. Tyler Cordner (Craig Tanner 79')
Unused subs: Max Evans, Josh Dolling, & Ralph Vigrass
Attendance: 1257
GO STAGS
