Match report: AFC Totton 2-1 Swindon Supermarine, 10-man Stags hold on to seal all three Southern League Premier Division South points
AFC Totton held on to defy a late Swindon Supermarine fightback to seal all three Southern League Premier Division South points on Saturday.
AFC Totton manager Jimmy Ball said: “The performance was a bit sluggish, so I’m glad it’s done now and we won the game.
“We started brightly with the ball. We had two chances before we actually scored, with one cleared off the line, so it was a nice right start.
“The lads are a resilient bunch, and they had to show that today.”
Third-placed AFC Totton were quick out of the blocks, having three corners within seven minutes.
Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin scored from the third corner, tapping in a rebound from close range after the keeper saved Joe Oastler’s header after a typically excellent delivery from Blair.
AFC Totton got their second six minutes later. After a quick counter from a Swindon corner, Austin combined with Blair in the box before blasting a low half-volley finish into the bottom right.
Swindon’s Michael Elias-Fernandes received the first booking of the game for dissent after 22 minutes, while eight minutes later, AFC Totton’s Tega Agberhiere was also yellow carded for pulling down Sam Turl.
The visitors then enjoyed an extended spell of possession but could not create much in front of the goal, although the Stags seemed comfortable trying to pick them off on the break.
Luke Bennett was booked in the 57th minute for a late challenge on Campbell, a sign of things to come for him. Then, 10 minutes later, Bennet was controversially shown a second yellow after a supposed dive on the edge of the box, leaving AFC Totton with 10 men with 25 minutes to go.
Swindon Supermarine had much of the ball following the sending-off, with the Stags camped in their half.
The visitors had the ball in the back of the net in the 69th minute, but the linesman raised his flag for offside before the ball fell kindly to Elias-Fernandes in the 81st minute. He fed David Sims-Burgess, who rifled into the top-left corner from close range.
Eventually, the final whistle came, and the relieved Stags celebrated a hard-earned three points.
AFC Totton plays Chertsey Town at home tomorrow (Tuesday) in the league at 7.45pm before turning their attention to the FA Trophy when they travel to take on Biggleswade Town at 3pm.
AFC Totton: R. Gosney, J. Oastler, C. Kennedy, A. Tomasso, C. Austin, L. Hallett, R. Collins, L. Bennett, T. Lee, T. Blair, O. Agberhiere. Subs: B. Jefford, O. Pelham, S. Magri, T. Stephens, S. Rendell.
