Underdogs Lymington triumph over Totton in Russell Cotes Cup

Russell Cotes Cup: AFC Totton 0-2 Lymington Town FC

UNDERDOGS Lymington Town FC overcame the odds after a terrific team performance handed them a 2-0 victory at AFC Totton in the Russell Cotes Cup.

Sydenhams Premier outfit Lymington went ahead in the first half through a Nathan Hurst strike and doubled their advantage in the second half when leading scorer Dom Falco found the back of the net.

After starting 2020 with a win and a draw, AFC Totton were riding high from their recent performances in Southern Division One South. However, Lymington were at the top of their game and from the first whistle surprised Totton with a committed display.

There were several chances at both ends but Stags keeper Amaduesz Skrzyniarz and Town’s Ross Casey to keep the scores level.

Lymington broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark when Luke Churchill’s whipped free-kick found Hurst in the penalty area. Hurst drove the ball past Skrzyniarz to give Town a deserved lead.

The Stags responded with chances of their own but they lacked the cutting edge and the Town defence held strong to maintain their lead.

In the second half, the visitors continued to pile on the pressure with fast and fluid football. Lymington gave themselves a two-goal buffer on 63 minutes when another Churchill free-kick caused a mix-up in the box which Falco scrambled over the line for his 15th goal of the season.

The away side kept their composure and preserved their lead till the final whistle, to the delight of the travelling supporters.

AFC Totton manager Louis Langdown was disappointed with his side’s outing. He said: “We weren’t anywhere near good enough. Lymington were quicker to the ball and hungrier, and we looked so disjointed.”

Lymington will await the draw for the next round and have no game on Saturday, while AFC Totton will travel to Larkhall Athletic in the league.