Free-scoring Stags slot six past Barnstaple Town to seal FA Trophy spot

Buildbase FA Trophy Second Round Qualifier

AFC Totton 6

Barnstaple Town FC 0

AFC TOTTON continued their recent hot streak with a remarkable six-goal demolition of Barnstaple Town to move into the next round of the FA Trophy.

The Stags made it 15 goals in three games, and they thoroughly deserved their lop-sided scoreline. However, they could have scored plenty more had the visitors' keeper, Jack Arthur, not turned in a player of the match performance for Barum.

Hisham Kasimu opened the scoring in the second minute when he slotted into the bottom corner.

He should have made it 2-0 when he had a shot blocked at point-blank range on the line, but he made no mistake with a shot from the edge of the box on 27 minutes after a defensive error.

The French striker scored his third goal of the match with a delightful finish beyond the onrushing keeper.

The Stags came out for the second half and were clearly in no mood to ease up, with Freddie Read hammering home from close range with 60 seconds of the restart after some good play down the right.

Within ten minutes, the hosts had a fifth goal when Kasimu finished off a fine flowing move to grab a fourth.

The game's final goal came from the boot of Ethan Taylor after the talented midfielder brilliantly flicked the ball past the defender and drilled his shot into the bottom corner.

After collecting the ball and firing from 25 yards, Taylor almost scored a second, but Arthur brilliantly tipped the ball over the bar.

With five minutes left, Freddie Read found the head of former AFC Bournemouth defender Stephane Zubar, who watched in a state of disbelief as his header hit the inside of the post, rolling along the line before being cleared.

In addition to remarkable saves from the débutante Barum keeper, the Stags struck the woodwork on multiple occasions as they stormed into the next round of the FA Trophy.