AFC Totton
STAGS PIPPED ON PENS AS SALISBURY WIN PROMOTION IN PLAY-OFF FINAL
AFC Totton and Salisbury took each other all the way to a penalty shoot-out in the Southern League Premier Division South Promotion Play-Off Final on Monday, with the visitors securing promotion to the National League South after The Stags and The Whites had played out a 2-2 draw in extra-time.
Salisbury dominated the first half, with Ryan Penny’s left-footed half-volley being the best chance they had. Totton’s best chance of the half came from the head of Sam Magri, which was cleared off the line and hacked away after a goalmouth scramble. The remainder of the first 45 petered out, with neither side able to find much going forward.
The game sprung into life in the second half with The Stags and The Whites creating numerous chances, but still lacking the finishing touches. That was until the 80th minute when Totton striker Tony Lee headed home substitute Leon Maloney’s cross past goalkeeper Ryan Gosney.
With just one minute to go, a low cross from the Salisbury right was judged to have been blocked by the hand of Charlie Kennedy, allowing Noah Coppin to equalise from the spot and take the tie to extra-time.
Salisbury went in front when Dan Fitchett played Josh Hedges in behind the Totton defence, and he coolly curled into the far corner.
But Ethan Taylor equalised with three minutes of extra-time remaining, latching onto Scott Rendell's headed knockdown at inside-left to fire home with a rasping left-footed drive into the far corner.
So, after 42 league games and two Play-Offs, both of which from Totton's point-of-view went to extra-time, it all came to a penalty shoot-out.
Goalkeeper Joshua Gould, playing against his former club, took Totton's first spot-kick, pulling a magnificent full-length save out of Ryan Gosney. The next seven kicks were all successfully converted, meaning that Tony Lee had to score to keep Totton's hopes of promotion alive. His penalty was well-struck but Gosney parried to send The Whites' fans into raptures and his team into the National League South.
Final Score: AFC TOTTON 2-2 SALISBURY (aet)
Salisbury win 4-3 on penalties
Att: 2,061
Man of the Match: Ethan Taylor
Entertainment Value: 5/5
Author: Liam Warren & Ben Rochey-Adams
Image courtesy of Doug Webber
