Match report: Lymington Town FC and Totton & Eling FC play out a 1-1 Wessex League Division One draw in drama-filled contest

Lymington Town missed the chance to snatch all three points when Totton & Eling keeper Harvey Bartlett saved a spot-kick with 80 minutes left on Saturday.

When the full-time whistle came, the scores were level after both sides scored within a minute of each other. Ollie Dennett gave the Millers the lead before Jo Sutherden restored parity.

“Obviously, a point is a point”, said Lymington Town boss Ash Buckland. “But we’re disappointed not to have taken all three today. We just didn’t quite find our rhythm or the level of consistency and quality on the ball that we know we’re capable of.

“It’s frustrating because Totton & Eling went down to ten men for the last 20 minutes, and we really should have made that count more than we did. That said, we have to take the positives, learn from this, and move forward.

“Our focus now shifts to the weekend as we prepare for a tough game away at Ringwood. They’re on a very good run at the moment, so we know we’ll have to be at our best. We’ll work hard in training and be ready to give a strong performance.”

After a cagey start, Totton & Eling’s Harrison Vidler had the game’s first shot, but it flew wide of Nico Trojanowski’s goal.

After the break, the Millers almost scored through Harry Yeadon, but Trojanowski pulled off an excellent stop before Lymington’s control grew.

Just as Lymington began creating chances in quick succession, Totton & Eling’s Ollie Dennett smashed the ball one in from 20 yards out to make it 1-0.

Less than 60 seconds later, substitute Jo Sutherden provided a way back into the game for Lymington, providing a lovely finish on the turn before Dennett earned a second yellow.

With 10 players on the pitch, Totton defender Dylan Male brought down a Lymington attacker in the area, leaving the referee to point at the spot. 17-year-old Alex Morris stepped up, but Bartlett dove the right way to rescue a point for his side.

Lymington Town: N. Trojanowski, A. Roberts, N. Bullen, A. Christie, S. Barron, R. Sesay, A. Morris, B. Morris, C. Lopez, C. Taylor, B. Gill. Subs: J. Higdon, E. Duell-Merritt, B. Tiff, W. Johnson, J. Sutherdon.

Totton & Eling: H. Bartlett, F. Lawton, L. Golding, T. Pattison, W. Hall, L. McFarlane, A. Pattison, J. Craven, H. Vidler, O. Dennett, H. Yeadon. Subs: G. Cole, O. Agberhiere, D. Sadler, D. Male, S. Vidler.