Match report: Southern League Premier South title-chasing manager Jimmy Ball ‘frustrated but proud’ after AFC Totton’s 1-1 draw with Merthyr Town FC
In a top-of-the-table clash, AFC Totton felt they deserved the late leveller goal from Scott Rendell that ensured the two sides shared the spoils in front of 2,079 at the Snow Stadium on Saturday.
The Martyrs took the lead after the break through number 10 Ricardo Rees, but Jimmy Ball’s men stuck to their task, with Rendell firing past Jaimie Cogman to earn a draw.
After the match, a frustrated but proud AFC Totton manager, Jimmy Ball, said: “I thought the players were great. We restricted them to very little, and it was going to take something incredible to score past us, and it was – what a finish!!
“I’m a bit bitter about the penalty decisions. I’ve watched them back, and I think there are possibly three, but there are definitely two that are as clear as day. As for the handball, I can’t understand why he doesn’t give it.
“However, I’m really proud of the lads. They put on a show, they played the game, created chances, they were brave with the ball – I hope the fans loved it because it was a real show. Yes, we didn’t come out on top, but we did everything we possibly could.”
After a brilliant first half that somehow ended goalless, Rees put visitors ahead in the 53rd minute with a thundering strike into the top corner from an acute angle.
AFC Totton took their time to equalise, and it came through Scott Rendell in the 82nd minute after Tony Lee flicked a cross on at the near post, and Rendell, in classic poacher fashion, headed it home from close range.
The action didn’t take long to begin in front of a capacity crowd of 2079. With just one minute played, AFC Totton had a flurry of chances inside the visitor’s box that were all blocked or saved to keep the ball out miraculously.
Merthyr’s first real chance came in the 15th minute through Kane Simpson, but Ryan Gosney punched the ball clear of the goal.
A calm corner routine saw Craig Tanner playing it short to Charlie Austin, who rolled it back to Tanner. The 30-year-old found Sam Magri at the back post, but he blasted over.
In the middle of the first half, AFC Totton had two penalty shouts waved away. The referee, Andrew Dunn, was eager to keep the game playing, but the home bench were in disbelief.
Merthyr started the second half on top and got their due reward. Rees was played through by Simpson, and from a wide angle on the right, he fired an unstoppable shot past Gosney into the far top corner.
There was almost an instant reply. Tanner got forward and pulled the ball back for an on-rushing Luke Bennett, but he slipped as he shot, and it sailed over from close to the penalty spot.
Rees had another opportunity, arguably an easier chance than his goal, but Gosney was equal to it, saving with his left boot.
Ball made attacking substitutions, but it was Tanner who curled an effort towards the far top corner after dancing into the box in the 70th minute to bring a tremendous one-handed save from Merthyr’s keeper, Jaimie Cogman.
Three minutes later, he pulled off another save to deny Austin at point-blank range.
Finally, in the 82nd minute, the home side drew level. A cross from Tanner was flicked on by the stooping Lee at the near post and headed into the open goal by Rendell from five yards.
AFC Totton were inspired to go and grab a late winner, but Merthyr still posed a considerable threat on the counter. Ultimately, despite throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the Merthyr goal, the hosts could not score that elusive second and had to settle for a point.
Second-placed AFC Totton – who sit six points off the top with two games in hand – take on Wimborne Town away from home on Saturday at 3pm.
AFC Totton: R. Gosney, J. Oastler, M. Carter, S. Magri, A. Tomasso, S. Rendell, C. Austin, L. Hallett, C. Tanner, L. Bennett, R. McIntyre. Subs: C. Kennedy, B. Seymour, R. Collins, T. Lee, T. Blair.
