Match report: AFC Totton secured a 2-0 Southern League Premier South victory over Bracknell Town FC to keep their title dream alive
AFC Totton continues to look like the only side who can catch the runaway league leaders, keeping their incredible form with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Bracknell Town.
It fell to the veteran striker, 38-year-old Scott Rendell, to grab the first goal after 10 minutes before Roddy Collins sealed the win with his side’s second after 68 minutes.
“I thought it was quite good”, said AFC Totton boss Jimmy Ball. “We had a lot of the ball, we created lots of chances and had a lot of control. We played with poise. I’d have liked a little more energy, but we got our goals and did a professional job.
“The first 10 minutes at this level is always somewhat frantic, trying to work each other out, but we scored a really good goal early on – we score a lot of really good goals; I’d like us to score more of those scrappy goals if I’m honest – but I thought it was excellent.
“We have to commit men to the attack. I want at least three men in the box every time we’re crossing the ball – we’re doing that, and hopefully it can keep leading to goals.”
AFC Totton defender Joe Oastler said: “We’re pleased with the three points, but we would have liked to do a little better in certain areas. We dominated the game, but at this stage of the season, the three points is all that matters.
“I think we started really well and had a few chances to go ahead, but we finally got the goal through Rens [Scott Rendell]. From that point, we came off it a bit, but we took the one-goal lead into the break, and we picked it up after the break.”
It was the dream start for the hosts, as inside 10 minutes they had the lead. Charlie Kennedy crossed the ball in from the right-hand side, and the keeper could only push it into the path of Rendell, who tapped into the empty net.
Almost instantly, Bracknell got up the other end to try and level, but Seb Bowerman’s shot was weak, allowing Ryan Gosney to save.
Half-time came around with AFC Totton dominating possession and Bracknell only having one shot.
The second half proceeded in the same vein, with the Stags on top. In the 57th minute, Tony Lee worked his way inside from the left and curled a shot towards the far post, but goalkeeper Michael Eacott beat it away.
Just nine minutes later, Craig Tanner found himself in the box. He played it across to Charlie Austin, but the ball got stuck under the striker’s feet. His shot was blocked, but the rebound fell to Roddy Collins, and he smashed it home—making it two goals in as many games for the midfielder.
After that, the game became a slog, with AFC Totton controlling the ball and not wanting to push anything unnecessary.
A chance fell to Bracknell’s Jordan Esprit just after the 90th minute, but a combination of Gosney and Oastler blocked his shot after the forward had shrugged off Adam Tomasso’s challenge.
It wasn’t a classic, but AFC Totton claimed a deserved three points.
The Stags travel to face Hanwell Town on Saturday.
AFC Totton: R. Gosney, J. Oastler, M. Carter, C. Kennedy, S. Magri, B. Seymour, S. Rendell, E. Taylor, C. Tanner, R. Collins, R. McIntyre. Subs: A. Tomasso, C. Austin, L. Hallett, L. Bennett, T. Lee.
