AFC Totton
10-MAN STAGS SEE OFF MERTHYR THANKS TO CHARLIE AUSTIN HEROICS
A CLOSE-RUN TIE threatened to boil over at times, with Charlie Kennedy sent off before half-time for an off-the-ball incident.
The Stags held firm with an inspired performance in difficult circumstances in front of a buoyant crowd of 507. It wasn’t long before they got value for money, with Tony Lee’s ambitious effort from the halfway line catching Merthyr goalkeeper Jaimie Cogman unawares and only just sailing over the crossbar.
Totton debutant Tega Agberhiere showed class down the left-hand side, solid in the tackle and promising in attack throughout.
Merthyr played their part, with cross after cross as they looked to overwhelm their opponents, but AFC Totton were resolute in defence.
There was an early substitution when Scott Rendell went off for Josh Owers in the first half, shortly before the main talking point of the game when Kennedy was shown a red card 10 minutes before half-time.
But the home side refused to play second fiddle and produced a battling second-half performance, leading to Charlie AUSTIN finding the bottom corner with a clinical header from Luke Bennett's sensational cross in the 75th minute.
The Stags dug in to see out the 1-0 win despite their reduced numbers, and booked their place in the draw for the First Round Proper.
Full-Time: AFC TOTTON 1-0 MERTHYR TOWN
Attendance: 507
Star Man: Tega AGBERHIERE
Entertainment: 4/5
Author: Ashley WHITEWAY
