AFC Totton
TOWN FRUSTRATE THE STAGS
By Sean McGlead
AFC Totton’s run of four consecutive victories came to an end against Stratford Town at the Testwood stadium yesterday afternoon. A healthy sized crowd, boosted by the Non-League Day initiative made for a nice atmosphere around the ground prior to kick off.
Stags boss Steve Riley named the same side that beat Gillingham Town 2-0 in the FA Cup last week.
Totton started the brighter of the two teams, Steve Riley’s side looked intent on taking the game to their visitors, with Jamie Bullpit in particular looking lively. However, it soon became apparent that Stratford’s tactics were to get men behind the ball and make their presence felt in a Physical sense.
Town certainly had a height advantage over the Stags which meant it was imperative that the Stags kept the ball on the ground as much as they could.
As early as the 5th minute Jamie Bullpit was on the end of a clattering challenge from the Stratford No 9 Chris Sterling. Sterling’s tackle earned him a good talking too from referee Bloor, whilst Bullpit received treatment for a moment or two.
Totton had their first effort on goal in the 8th minute. A right wing ball into the box was back heeled towards goal by Craig Feeney. However, Feeney’s attempt didn’t really trouble Kemp in the Stratford goal.
Then on 10 minutes Totton came agonisingly close to scoring. Centre half Rob Flooks connected with a Liam Gilbert corner from the left. Flooks rose high above his marker and headed against the underside of the crossbar, the ball came down on the goal line and it was cleared by Stratford. Totton’s players were claiming that the ball had crossed the line, but referee Mr Bloor and his assistant were having none of it.
Just a moment later Zac Mouland picked up a lovely through ball from O Brien, but Zac’s effort beat the keeper, but it also beat the far post as it rolled agonisingly wide.
Jamie Bullpit was looking lively for the Stags and on 14 minutes he picked the ball up around the 30 yard mark before shooting narrowly over the bar.
Jamie Bullpit had another pop at goal a few moments later as he picked the ball up in midfield before advancing forward 10 yards. Jamie looked up before shooting down to Andy Kemps left, Kemp stuck out a hand to tip the ball around the post.
Stratford’s strong challenges were not winning them many friends amongst the Totton fans with Town’s No 10 Alex Price receiving boos on more than one occasion.
The Totton players kept plugging away. On 21 minutes Liam Gilbert picked the ball up around the edge of the box before he worked himself a bit of space. Gilbert then tried his luck from 20 yards, Andy Kemp the Stratford keeper palmed Gilbert’s effort wide of the right hand post for a corner.
Craig Feeney dropped deep to pick up a pass 25 yards out before he had also a pop at goal, only to see his effort fizz wide.
Totton had another effort on goal when Chris Onoufriou met another Gilbert corner, Chris’s flicked effort went straight into Andy Kemps grateful arms.
On 38 minutes, Stratford then stunned the Stags faithful by taking the lead. The big and strong No 9 Chris STERLING picked up a pass just inside the Stags box before placing a shot past Steve Mowthorpe and into the far side of the net. This was Stratford’s first shot on target all afternoon!
Just before half time Zac Mouland had an effort on goal when he met a Gilbert free kick, but yet again Andy Kemp tipped the ball wide of the post.
Half Time 0-1 to Stratford.
The 2nd half saw Totton go on the attack immediately, Feeney made a run down the left before he put in a low left wing cross that rolled across the face of goal with nobody able to get on the end of it.
Stratford then made a rare foray forward as Sam Adkins put over a cross that was met by Chris Sterling, but Sterling’s looping header was deflected over the bar.
Stratford had another attack a few moments later that ended with Chris Sterling shooting wide from 20 yards out.
On 61 minutes a foul on Jamie Bullpit saw Totton awarded a free kick on the left. Liam Gilbert took the free kick, but it evaded everyone once again and the ball went out harmlessly for a goal kick.
Stratford then went on the attack when a cross from their right was nodded down by sterling and Alex Price put a shot about 3 feet wide of Steve Mowthorpes left hand post.
Totton almost equalised when substitute Nathaniel Sherborne wriggled into the box and put in a shot with just Andy Kemp to beat, unfortunately Sherborne’s effort was tipped wide by the Town keeper.
Another Stags substitute Taylor Edwards went after a long ball into the box, and as he did so Town keeper Andy Kemp came rushing out to collect the ball. Edwards seemed to go in with maximum determination in an attempt to get the ball first, but referee Bloor deemed that Edwards went in to strongly so he showed Edwards a yellow card.
Stratford were still opting to use the physical side of the game and a clash between the two captains Rob Flooks and Joe Halsall saw the Town No 8 receive a yellow card.
On 76 minutes, Chris Sterling had the ball in the net for Stratford but the linesman’s flag went up so it was disallowed, much to Totton’s relief.
Craig Feeney again had an attempt on goal for Totton with only 8 minutes left on the clock, disappointingly for Totton Feeney’s effort went over the bar.
With time running out Totton earned another corner. Gilbert took the corner from the right and Totton’s 3rd substitute James Jennings bundled the ball wide.
In added time Stratford had a break forward and it ended with substitute Tyrone Fagan being one on one with Steve Mowthorpe, the Totton keeper was mightily relieved though when Fagan had a weak shot at goal and Mowthorpe saved easily
Full Time 0-1 to Stratford Town.
So in the end it was a disappointing result for the Stags. Stratford were a very physical side and they seemed to try and use this as a way of stopping Totton playing their normal game. Their challenges were firm, some were a little too firm for the officials liking. Stratford had some good players too. Their keeper Andy Kemp made some really good saves, especially during the 1st half, but the player that I thought was outstanding for our visitors though was No 9 Chris Sterling. He was big, Strong and quick. He scored the only goal of the game, but he was a constant thorn in Totton’s side all afternoon.
As for the Stags they have still had a great start to the season. We face North Leigh away on Wednesday evening so here is hoping for a return to winning ways.
ATT 451
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