Match Report - AFC Totton

AFC TOTTON 2 

Blair 73 

Rendell 85 

TIVERTON TOWN 1 

Koita 39 

Saturday 12th April 2025

The Snows Stadium 

Attendance: 1274

Our predicament becomes a bit more of a reality after each round of fixtures are completed. Yesterday the Yellows gave the best version of themselves at second placed Totton and came up excruciatingly, just short. 

Poole's shock win at leaders Merthyr, has perhaps made the points needed for safety predictions, a little higher. One thing though that hasn't changed, is that Saturday's game against Gosport at The Slee Blackwell Stadium is must-win. 

The management team went with an unchanged eleven and matchday squad, with Jamil Roberts retaining his place at left back and Charlie Cummins continuing in the role of centre back after a series of impressive performances. Steve Orchard was absent, due to a prior engagement. 

Our hosts, the Stags, had both of their top scorers Tony Lee and Scott Rendell on the bench. Instead, they were able to field a front two of ex-Premier League striker Charlie Austin and former Exeter City striker Ben Seymour. 

That’s just to give you an idea of the options available to Jimmy Ball, Totton’s manager. The ambitions of the Stags hierarchy definitely lie beyond the division they’re playing in. 

What was evident when the game got underway was how undaunted the Yellows were by the difficulty of the task facing them. Adopting a good shape, pressing all over the pitch and playing with an assuredness that we have become accustomed to in recent weeks. 

Totton engineered a few half chances in the opening fifteen minutes, though didn’t unduly threaten Joe Duncan or his back four. Both Dan Koita and Dylan Jones had efforts that brought Ryan Gosney, the Stags keeper into action, but were routinely saved. 

In the sixteenth minute, resolute defending from Asa Hall’s men from a corner meant Charlie Austin was pressurised into firing over. Then Duncan was twice the last line of defence against Seymour. 

Thwarting him on each occasion with two stunning one-on-one saves, he spread himself and sprung across to deny the one-time Grecian. Duncan has done this with staggering regularity, all season long. 

Tiverton however were causing problems of their own in Totton’s half with Jones thrusting runs, unsettling the home team and The Yellows forwards Koita and Parker having success in breaking the high line deployed by Jimmy Ball’s side. 

In the 26th minute they ran into the space behind and Koita trying to pick out his strike partner with a pass using the outside of his boot, narrowly missed Parker his intended target and Totton were able to clear. But Tivvy quickly regained possession and Jones cutting inside, let fly. Firing above the crossbar but emphasising our threat. 

However, a short while later, the Stags forced a corner and following a spot of pinball, Seymour was no more than 10 yards out and a firm favourite to open the scoring. His nemesis however Duncan, pulled off a superb reaction stop to deny him. 

Back came Tiverton and after some good interplay Koita’s cross required a desperate block from a Totton defender. Both teams were going toe-to-toe and down the other end, some excellent defending from a resilient and dependable backline kept our hosts at bay. 

Niall Thompson then turned on the after burners and his marker had to concede a corner. Jamil Roberts took, and fellow defender Charlie Cummins got on the end of it. Climbing highest he unfortunately got just as much of his shoulder on it, as his head and Gosney watched it over. 

Tivvy though didn’t have to wait long for another chance and once again sprung Totton’s high line. Parker looked up and played in the onrushing Koita, who took the ball in his stride and rounded Gosney, before slotting home. It was no more than our determination deserved. 

That goal arrived in the 39th minute and with half time beckoning, Koita had an opportunity to extend our lead. However, he flashed wide after being played through. It was a hectic end to the first period and then Austin was in the clear, but his powerful strike, skimmed the bar. 

A goal to the good at the halfway point and Asa Hall could only be happy with his players display in the first period. 

The Yellows continued their press in the early stages of the second half and were giving as good as they got. Jones who the home side were struggling to contend with, then on a foray forward, fired an attempt over, in the 50th minute. 

A superb timely interception from Cummins covering round, stopped Totton in their tracks and other strong defensive play from Toby Down, Jeff Forkuo and Thompson kept our hosts at arm's length. Matt Britton and Asa Hall putting massive shifts in, in front of them. 

Austin blazed over a 52nd minute half chance, prior to being replaced by serial scorer in the division Tony Lee, after limping off. 

Thompson, Koita and Jones then neatly combined and it required a last-ditch tackle on the latter to stop him from being in the clear. Tivvy gaining a few corners in a strong spell either side of the hour mark.  

Another inviting delivery from Roberts, was flicked on at the front post and found Koita at the back post. Although he was only just outside the six-yard box, he couldn’t shrug off the attentions of his marker’s and his header was comfortable for Gosney. 

Duncan then denied Lee in the 66th minute with a terrific save from his bullet like header. Intense pressure followed from the Stags and serious questions were being asked of us defensively.  

The introduction of Scott Rendell and talented winger Tom Blair presenting different dangers to handle. Rendell and Seymour both going close. 

Our rearguard was broken, when Blair powered a scorching effort past Duncan and into the net. His equaliser coming in the 73rd minute, an impressive strike and Totton started to go for the jugular.  

Our two forwards Parker and Koita who had both had good games and worked tirelessly, made way for Joe Beardwell and Josh Jones, who took his place in a central defensive three. 

In the 78th minute Down made a crucial block, but seven minutes later the decisive blow was struck. Following some further desperate defending, Bernie Tanner ran onto the ball and cleverly cut the ball back for Rendell, who finished emphatically. 

This breaking Yellow hearts, as the players had given everything to get something at the Snows Stadium and almost defied the odds. There was a further ten minutes played, and the team tried manfully to get something from this game, but it wasn’t to be. 

Yellows fans can once again feel proud of their team and I doubt after the Basingstoke result which led to the change in management, would have expected us to have our own cards still to lay.  

It’s testament to all inside the dressing room and in particular Asa Hall and Steve Orchard, that a fighting chance remains. Win our next game and see where we are, must be the recipe when we face mid table Gosport on Saturday. 

There is a good spirit amongst the squad, who will be naturally disappointed after losing to Totton. However, it says so much of their character that they were agonisingly close to taking something from a side unbeaten at home and still with an outside chance of taking the title. 

It will be a busy weekend and probably season defining games versus Gosport and then rivals Taunton at Wordsworth Drive, on Bank Holiday Monday. Let’s get behind the lads, they deserve our support! 

Tiverton Town: Duncan, Forkuo, Cummins, Down, Roberts, Thompson, Britton, Hall, D. Jones, Koita, Parker 

Subs: Beardwell, J. Jones, Day, Billington, Gleeson