St Albans City 3-4 AFC Totton, 13/09/11 7:45pm

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After the fantastic 3-0 win at big-spending Brackley Town on Saturday, Totton were on a real high going into this Tuesday evening game against another team tipped to be near the top at the business end of the season. While Totton beat Brackley, Danny Hart and Jerome Walker scored to give St Albans a 2-0 home win over Redditch United. Totton switched back to 4-4-2 for this game after starting with a five-man midfield against Brackley. Nathaniel Sherborne and Michael Charles started together up front, but there were changes in midfield, where James Coutts came in for Jon Davies on the right, and at the back Matt Oldring started at left back instead of Tom Baddeley after his impressive display on Saturday.

St Albans got off to the perfect start in this game when, with just 3 minutes on the clock, Ryan Watts sent in a low cross that was turned home from close range by Tobi Jinadu. Totton responded well to this early setback and had a good chance after 5 minutes when Michael Charles headed over from James Coutts' cross to the far post. A foul on Charles 20 yards from goal in the 10th minute then gave The Stags a free kick. Ryan Hill took it and sent a low shot towards the bottom corner which Saints goalkeeper Will Viner did well to get down to and turn away from goal. Sherborne got to the ball first from the rebound but was flagged for offside.

But Totton didn't have long to wait to grab an equaliser. Charles played a perfect through ball for Sherborne to run onto and he slotted the ball just inside the post. Totton were level for just under 10 minutes before taking the lead for the first time in the game. Mike Gosney launched a long throw-in towards Nathan Campbell in the box. Campbell flicked the ball on with his head and it fell to left back Matt Oldring who had come forward for a corner moments previously. Oldring took one touch to flick the ball up in front of him and then swivelled to send a brilliant volley into the top corner over the head of the defender on the line with Viner rooted to the spot.

The game continued to be quite even between the two teams until the 38th minute when the most significant moment of the game so far occurred. From a Gosney corner, Jamie Whisken sent a header towards goal but the ball was blocked on the line by the arm of defender Jack Pattison. Referee Adrian Gillett had no hesitation in giving Pattison his marching orders and pointing to the spot. Viner went the right way but was never getting to the ball as Gosney's penalty had too much pace and power on it as it found the bottom corner.

Half time: St Albans City 1-3 AFC Totton

St Albans started the second half the same way they started the first; with a goal. A cross into the box was headed down by half-time substitute Barrie Matthews and Tobi Jinadu shot past Grant Porter for his and his team's second goal of the game. But as quickly as The Saints had got themselves back into the game, they were back out of it again. Matt Oldring crossed from the left to Michael Charles in the box who took the ball on his chest and sent a volley over his shoulder and into the top corner for 4-2.

For the remainder of the match the 10 men of St Albans completely outplayed Totton's 11 men. And their superiority paid off with 10 minutes to go. A long ball through the middle split the Totton defence and Sakho Bakare ran onto it to slide the ball past the on-rushing Grant Porter and give the home fans hope in the dying minutes.

Totton continued to be pegged back and Grant Porter was booked for time-wasting over a goal kick. The Stags tried to waste a bit more time by holding the ball in the corner for as long as possible but lost the ball every time. Fortunately the Totton defence stood firm against the late onslaught and we held on for all 3 points.

Full time: St Albans City 3-4 AFC Totton

Totton were lucky not to come away with just a point from this game. And, credit to St Albans, it would have been a deserved point for them as they put Totton under constant pressure in the second half as they tried to get themselves back in the game. At times it looked like it was The Stags who were a man short and not The Saints, who were superb and will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. Next up for Totton is an FA Cup qualifier against Evo-Stik Division One Central strugglers Fleet Town. The tie will be played at the Testwood Stadium this Saturday at 3pm.

St Albans City: Viner, Pattison, Ralph, Ijaha, Cutchey, Jinadu, Hart, Solomon Shields (Matthews 46 mins), Haworth (Bakare 45), Walker (Sean Shields 71), Watts. Unused subs: Jupp, Haisley.

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Richardson, Whisken, Oldring, Coutts (Davies 56), Pettefer, Campbell, Gosney, Sherborne (Baddeley 85), Charles (Osman 71). Unused subs: Lewis, Tomasso.

Goals: St Albans: Jinadu (3 & 48), Bakare (80).
          AFC Totton: Sherborne (13), Oldring (22), Gosney (38 penalty), Charles (49).

Officials: Referee: Mr A Gillett. Assistants: Mr A Groves & Mr S Borham.

Attendance: 329.

Brackley Town 0-3 AFC Totton, 10/09/2011 3pm

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Totton travelled to Brackley for a top-of-the-table clash. The Stags are still 1st, while our hosts today, Brackley sit in 2nd place, 2 points behind. The Saints drew 1-1 away at Frome Town in their last game, while Totton beat Barwell 2-1 at home. Tom Baddeley was unavailable for Totton in this game, so Matt Oldring was brought in to fill the left back spot in the only change to the defence. Nathaniel Sherborne started up front on his own in a 4-5-1 formation, with James Coutts starting in the centre of midfield alongside Carl Pettefer and Nathan Campbell. Jon Davies and Mike Gosney on the wings made up the midfield. Brackley were the bookies' favourites to win the league this season, so it promised to be a difficult game, but Totton more than stood up to the challenge...

For the first 5 minutes, the game was very end to end. Brackley had 2 or 3 good chances to score through Owen Story, Francis Green and Elliot Sandy, but Grant Porter was in inspired form in the Totton goalmouth. And Brackley were soon made to pay for missing those early chances when their captain Chris Willmott tripped Nathaniel Sherborne in the box as he tried to turn and shoot, and referee Rob Ellis pointed to the spot. Mike Gosney, who missed his last penalty against Swindon Supermarine, stepped up to smash the ball past Jon Bond who got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.

Soon after the penalty, Sherborne had a half chance when he intercepted a weak back-pass but fired wide with only Bond to beat. From then on it was one way traffic as Brackley put the Totton defence under constant pressure. Brett Solkhon was denied by a goal-line clearance after a cross from Tom Winters, and then Owen Story couldn't find the net when his shot was deflected behind for a corner by Ian Richardson. Story came close again just before half time when his shot across goal was just wide of the far post.

Half time: Brackley Town 0-1 AFC Totton

Brackley picked up where they had left off before the break as they continued to create chances, including a decent long-range strike from Tom Winters that wasn't far away. But the game changed on the hour mark when some poor defending resulted in Nathaniel Sherborne being put clean through on goal and, as Jon Bond rushed off his line to close Sherborne down, the striker poked the ball through the keeper's legs to double The Stags' lead, very much against the run of play.

5 minutes later, Jon Davies tried his luck when he spotted Bond off his line and attempted to lob the ball up and over the keeper, but it landed on the roof of the net. With just under 20 minutes to go the game took another twist when Brackley defender Francis Green brought down Ryan Hill with a hefty looking challenge and the referee had no hesitation in brandishing his red card and dismissing Green for the foul.

Totton tried to make the extra man count in the time that remained. Carl Pettefer and Jon Davies both had efforts saved by Bond in the last 10 minutes. Brackley substitute Michael Chennells could have got a consolation for his side when he directed Winters' cross goal-wards only to be denied by Porter. And it was Totton's own substitute Michael who settled the contest. Michael Charles came off the bench to pounce on a defensive error and expertly slot the ball into the bottom corner to round off a fantastic day for The Stags.

Full time: Brackley Town 0-3 AFC Totton

This was a thoroughly impressive victory for Totton against a Brackley side who have spent big. But The Stags proved that money can't buy everything as they overcame a strong team to take all 3 points. We didn't have it all our own way and were very much on the back foot for large portions of the game, but in the end it's the scoreline and not the percentage of possession that counts. Next up is another away game at St Albans City on Tuesday 13th September for a 7:45pm kick off.

Brackley Town: Bond, Clifton (Gould 63 mins), Myles, Green, Willmott, Magunda, Story (Chennells 79), Solkhon, Louis (Diggin 70), Sandy, Winters. Unused subs: Dempsey, Murrell.

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Oldring, Davies (Lewis 89), Campbell, Pettefer, Coutts, Gosney, Sherborne (Charles 85). Unused subs: Tomasso, Brown.

Goals: AFC Totton: Gosney (8), Sherborne (55), Charles (90).

Officials: Referee: Mr R Ellis. Assistants: Mr B Whitty & Mr K Norris.

Attendance: 285.

AFC Totton 2-1 Barwell, 03/09/11 3pm

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After getting back to winning ways against Weymouth on Monday, Totton faced Barwell at the Testwood Stadium hoping to continue our fantastic start to the season. The Stags were missing Mike Gosney who had an eye complaint, and striker Stefan Brown who had a minor neck injury. Aidan Lewis, making his first start of the season, started on the right with Jon Davies switching to the left in Gosney's absence, while Michael Charles and Nathaniel Sherborne started together up front. Barwell had victory snatched from them at the death in their last game as Stourbridge scored a late equaliser to draw 2-2.

Totton continued their trend of scoring early goals this season when, in the 10th minute, Nathaniel Sherborne cut inside from wide on the right and curled a superb shot into the far top corner that gave Barwell keeper Liam Castle no chance. Jon Davies could have doubled the lead almost immediately when his similar effort from the opposite side flew just wide of the post.

In a rare Barwell attack, Kevin Charley had a shot on goal but it was straight at Grant Porter and the keeper made an easy catch. Liam Castle then came to Barwell's rescue when a Ryan Hill free kick from the left was met by Michael Charles, but his header from 5 yards out was saved at point-blank range by Castle and the ball was cleared. Charles put another header wide 2 minutes later.

With 10 minutes to go until half time, Barwell began to put pressure on the Totton defence. Jamie Towers crossed to Kevin Charley and his shot was saved well by Porter. Moments later, however, Barwell were given a way back into the match. Ryan Hill was alleged to have fouled Jai Stanley in the box as he tried to shoot and Scott Rickards stepped up to despatch the spot kick and send Porter the wrong way. Hill himself was then denied a penalty when he went down in the area up the other end of the pitch but the referee waved play on. In the last few seconds of the first half, Rickards took a corner kick that struck the near post and went out for a goal kick.

Half time: AFC Totton 1-1 Barwell

Not long into the second half, Totton could have regained the lead. The ball was played down the right for Michael Charles to chase but Canaries keeper Liam Castle rushed out of his goal to get there first. His clearance fell to Jon Davies 40 yards out and he could have tried to score with Castle out on the right leaving his goal unguarded but Davies played the ball in-field to try and set up an attack that lead to nothing as Castle got back on his line.

Totton were then close to scoring in bizarre fashion when, following a stoppage for an injury, the referee instructed Sherborne to play the ball back to Liam Castle in the Barwell goal. Sherborne sent the ball back towards Castle, but it was hit with considerable force and cannoned off the corner of the goal frame where the post and crossbar meet. With 65 minutes on the clock, Barwell were reduced to 10 men. Jai Stanley, who had already been booked, brought down Davies in midfield and the referee gave him his marching orders, much to the delight of the home crowd, as they felt Stanley should have gone 2 or 3 times before his eventual red card.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Totton substitute Mark Osman headed against the bar from a cross from the right, and then 3 minutes later shot past the post when through on goal with only Castle to beat. Totton were then denied a possible goalscoring opportunity by the officials. Nathaniel Sherborne was in an offside position when Carl Pettefer played a defence-splitting pass through the middle. As the linesman raised his flag Davies ran onto it from an onside position. The linesman lowered his flag but the referee blew for offside against Sherborne who was nowhere near the ball and not interfering with play.

There was a fair chunk of added time at the end of the game as Barwell had taken their time with substitutions and there were stoppages for injuries on both teams. In the 7th minute of added time Guy Sanders conceded a free kick 30 yards from goal. With no Mike Gosney in the side it was up to Totton's other dead-ball specialist Ryan Hill to produced the goods. And produce he did. He stepped up to take the free kick and sent the ball perfectly into the bottom corner past the outstretched fingertips of Liam Castle to win the game for The Stags and send the home fans wild.

Full Time: AFC Totton 2-1 Barwell

What a way to win a game. Ryan Hill's 97th minute free kick and Jai Stanley's dismissal were the difference between the two sides in this game. Totton showed that when we need to, we can win ugly, and that even without 2 or 3 first team regulars, the players we have on the bench and in reserve are more than capable of being part of a side good enough to beat teams in this league. The next game is Saturday 10th September when The Stags travel to Brackley Town for a clash between 2nd and 1st place.

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Baddeley (Oliver 90 mins), Lewis, Pettefer, Campbell, J Davies, Charles (Osman 63), Sherborne. Unused subs: Oldring, C Davies, Flooks.

Barwell: Castle, Stanley, Dodd, Sanders, Rowley, Rickards, Towers (Hamilton 83), Hadland, Barlone (Harris 76), Charley (Pearson 80), Julien. Unused subs: Lower, Green.

Goals: AFC Totton: Sherborne (10), Hill (90+7)
           Barwell: Richards (37 pen)

Officials: Referee: Mr A Bird. Assistants: Mr N Sykes & Mr M Yeats.

Attendance: 388.

AFC Totton 2-0 Weymouth, 29/08/11 3pm

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The sun came out on this Bank Holiday Monday clash between table-topping Totton and waning Weymouth. The Stags went into the game on the back of our first defeat of the season away at Leamington, while former Blue Square Bet Premier side Weymouth spent Saturday afternoon on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at home against Bedford Town. Totton striker Michael Charles dropped to the bench with Nathaniel Sherborne starting up front with Stefan Brown in the only change from the side that lost to Leamington.

Totton began well and came close to opening the scoring after 4 minutes. Mike Gosney's accurate through ball to Stefan Brown set the striker in on goal but his curled effort was just wide of the far post. But The Stags have a habit of scoring early goals, and today was no different. After a corner from the right, Terras keeper Nick Jordan made a good save before a scramble in the box ended with central defender Ian Richardson turning the ball in from close range on 8 minutes.

Nathaniel Sherborne was then maybe too honest for his own good when he was clean through on goal. His initial shot was saved by Jordan but the ball came back to him and as he tried to go round Jordan, the keeper caught him. Sherborne stumbled and could have got a penalty had he gone down but managed to stay on his feet and as he was trying to correct himself his second shot was saved as well and the ball rolled away for a corner. Up the other end, Weymouth worked a short corner and when the ball was whipped in from the right, it narrowly evaded the heads of two Weymouth players and went straight through for a goal kick.

A long ball down the wing from Tom Baddeley to Sherborne set up another attack for Totton as Sherborne crossed to Brown who fired across goal and wide. Brown was involved again when he played the ball back across goal from Ryan Hill's cross and found Nathan Campbell at the far post, but his effort was put behind for a corner.

Half time: AFC Totton 1-0 Weymouth

Both sides had good chances to score after the break. Brown headed on a long ball out from the back and the ball bounced towards Jordan in the Weymouth goal with Sherborne being kept back by Poole. But Sherborne would not be denied and he nipped in between defender and keeper to get his foot to the ball before Jordan could catch it, unfortunately he knocked the ball wide.

Weymouth had their fair share of chances, however. Matt Groves saw a header go just wide, before Rob Wolleaston had a shot from the edge of the box that wasn't far away as it flew over Grant Porter's crossbar. Sherborne went close again for Totton when he brought down Ryan Hill's long diagonal pass on the edge of the box and superbly flicked it up and over his head and the head of the defender marking him closely; his shot going straight into the arms of Jordan.Sherborne was in again moments later but this time his shot cleared the crossbar.

With a quarter of an hour remaining, Totton gave themselves a bit of breathing space with a second goal. Jon Davies split the Weymouth defence with a through ball and Gosney ran onto it from an onside position to be one-on-one with Nick Jordan and placed a shot inside the near post to double the lead and make the home fans breathe a little easier. Sherborne and substitute Mark Osman both had chances in the remaining 10 minutes, but both somehow managed to fire wide when clean through on goal.

Full time: AFC Totton 2-0 Weymouth

The Stags are back to winning ways after the slump against Leamington. This was a comfortable victory in which Weymouth had chances but Grant Porter was never properly tested in goal. Totton remain top of the table, level on 15 points with Brackley Town. Weymouth are fourth from bottom after a fourth defeat in their first 6 games. Our next game is Saturday 3rd September at 3pm when Barwell are in town.

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Baddeley, Davies (Lewis 90 mins), Pettefer, Campbell, Gosney, Sherborne, Brown (Osman 73). Unused subs: Oldring, Coutts, Charles.

Weymouth: Jordan, Tribe, Tasker, Napper, Gerring, Poole, Marshallsay (Bassett 76), Wolleaston, Groves (McKechnie 84), Byerley, Reed. Unused subs: Dixon, Manely, Stephenson.

Goals: AFC Totton: Richardson (8), Gosney (76).

Officials: Referee: Mr M Derrien. Assistants: Mr D Berry & Mr M Lee.

Attendance: 580.

Leamington 2-1 AFC Totton, 27/08/11 3pm

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Totton made the longest away trip of the season so far to face one of the pre-season favourites to win the league, Leamington. The hosts had drawn a blank in their previous fixture as they drew 0-0 away at Stourbridge, while, as we know, Totton won 3-0 at Hemel Hempstead to strengthen their grip on top spot in the league table. This promised to be a tough game, and it was.

Leamington started the brighter of the two teams and had a good chance after 7 minutes when a cross from the right was headed wide by Jacob Blyth. But Totton were soon in front against the run of play. Moments after Mike Gosney had put the ball over the bar, his defence-splitting pass found Jon Davies who fired low towards goal and the ball was diverted into the net by Leamington defender Jamie Hood.

Blyth volleyed a ball over the top from James Husband just past the post as Brakes looked for a way back into the match. Tom Berwick was then just offside when his shot from the edge of the box was superbly tipped over at full stretch by Grant Porter. Tom Baddeley then blocked another effort from Berwick and the Brakes striker came close again when from a corner, Liam Daly headed down and Berwick tried a back-heel which was cleared off the line.

Half time: Leamington 0-1 AFC Totton

After a succession of headers back and forth between both sides that kept the ball in the air longer than a transatlantic flight, Alex Taylor volleyed over the bar as Leamington picked up where they left off in the first half. And just short of the hour mark, they were given a way back into the game. From a long goal kick by Tony Breeden, Blyth collected the ball and and was brought down just inside the area as he was bearing down on goal. It was unclear who committed the foul as there were 2 or 3 Totton defenders trying to stop Blyth so there were no cards shown by the referee. Blyth dusted himself down to take the penalty and send Porter the wrong way and level the scores.

Jon Davies fired over the bar as Totton sought to regain the lead as the heavens opened. Leamington live-wire Jacob Blyth was a constant threat and was at it again when Daly flicked the ball on with his head from a corner and Blyth's close range effort was deflected wide. And it was Blyth who turned the game on it's head midway through the second half. James Husband played the ball down the left wing for Berwick to chase and his cross was headed back across goal and into the far corner by Blyth.

As the clock ticked down, and the rain lashed down, Totton won a succession of free kicks that never troubled Tony Breeden in the Leamington goal. Mike Gosney and Ryan Hill both fired wide and another from Gosney was caught comfortably by Breeden. Leamington sub Craig Owen could have extended his side's lead late on when he went on a slaloming run past every Totton player that got in his way and fired a low shot towards goal that Porter pushed away and the ball was put behind for a corner, which came to nothing.

Full time: Leamington 2-1 AFC Totton

Leamington put the Brakes on Totton's incredible start to the season as their 2 second half goals ended our run of not conceding a goal this season, and ended our 4-game winning streak. The weather was atrocious, and Totton weren't much better either as we surrendered our 100% start quite tamely. But we move on, and have a chance to hit back almost immediately as Weymouth visit the Testwood Stadium this Bank Holiday Monday at 3pm.

Leamington: Breeden, Mace, Morley, Downes, Hood, Daly, Taylor, Husband (Owen 76 mins), Blyth, Berwick (Sheldon 90), Batchelor. Unused subs: Tuohy, Cartwright, Mackey.

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Baddeley, Davies (Coutts 70), Pettefer, Campbell, Gosney, Charles (Osman 63), Brown (Sherborne 75). Unused subs: Lewis, Oldring.

Goals: Leamington: Blyth (59, 67)
           AFC Totton: Hood OG (13)

Officials: Referee: Mr M Dexter. Assistants: Mr B Cooke & Mr B Ward.

Attendance: 601.

Hemel Hempstead Town 0-3 AFC Totton, 23/08/11 7:45pm

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After travelling up on the coach for this game, we arrived at Vauxhall Road much earlier than anticipated after a pretty smooth journey up to Hemel Hempstead, so some of us wasted an hour in the local pub, The Crabtree. Lovely place. Anyway, team news. Defender Jamie Whisken was available again for Totton after missing the 4-0 victory over Swindon Supermarine due to family commitments, and despite his hat trick in that game, Nathaniel Sherborne remained on the bench in favour of Michael Charles partnering Stefan Brown in attack. Hemel Hempstead have yet to win this season and their last game was a 1-0 defeat at Redditch United.

The fans had barely taken their place in the stands when Totton took the lead in the 2nd minute. We won a throw-in on the right and Ryan Hill launched the ball into the box with a long throw. Nathan Campbell leapt with 2 defenders and it was unclear who got the flick on, but that didn't really matter because the ball fell to Michael Charles 4 yards out in the centre of goal to volley the ball past Hemel goalkeeper Mike McEntergart for his first goal of the season.

The travelling Totton fans were barely catching their breath from celebrating the first goal when the net bulged again. Mike Gosney delivered a cross from the left and Charles did well to control the ball and turn to fire the ball low past the keeper for 2-0. After that blistering start by The Stags, the game evened out and both sides were playing some good football. Totton could have been 3-0 up 10 minutes after the 2nd goal when Carl Pettefer's cross from the right was met by Gosney 6 yards out but he couldn't get a proper connection on the ball and it was wide of the far post.

From a Gosney throw-in, Jon Davies then had a go from the edge of the box but his rising shot was straight at McEntergart and the keeper made a comfortable catch. Hemel then came close to halving the deficit when a Liam Malone shot from 35 yards cannoned off the crossbar and over for a goal kick. With half an hour gone, Gosney whipped in a cross that Michael Charles was close to getting on the end of, and with a bit more curl on the cross, the ball might have found it's way inside the far post but ended up going just wide. After a neat one-two between Davies and Charles, the latter crossed to Stefan Brown in the box, but his shot was blocked and almost fell for Gosney but the ball was cleared. Jake Gilbert then fired high and wide for Hemel in the last chance for either side in the first half.

Half time: Hemel Hempstead Town 0-2 AFC Totton

On 56 minutes Totton were inches away from a third goal. Gosney collected the ball out wide on the left and played it in-field to the corner of the 18-yard box where he unleashed a powerful shot that went across goal but flew agonisingly wide of the far post. Two minutes later and Totton made the scoreline a lot more comfortable for themselves with a 3rd goal.

After a long ball over the top, Mike McEntergart in the Hemel goal came charging out to try and get there before Michael Charles who was chasing it down with a defender snapping at his heels. The ball fell and hit McEntergart's shin and bounced back to Charles who took it past the keeper and rolled it into the empty net to complete his hat trick, and Totton's second of the season after Nathaniel Sherborne's treble against Swindon Supermarine at the weekend.

After the 3rd goal, the game was very end-to-end, with both sides having chances to score. Totton found themselves on the back foot quite often in the last half an hour and with a quarter of an hour remaining, Hemel Hempstead thought they'd got a goal back. After a cross from the right there was melee in the box with Grant Porter making two saves on the goal-line in a matter of seconds. The ball pinged off towards the right where it was played straight back in and ended up in the back of the net, though from our end it was difficult to tell who got the final touch. It didn't matter though as the Hemel celebrations were cut short by the linesman who flagged for offside.

Full time: Hemel Hempstead 0-3 AFC Totton

Who'd have thought it? After 4 games Totton are top of the table with 4 wins out of 4, scoring 15 goals and conceding 0; the only club in the league yet to concede a goal this season. Stuart Ritchie's decision not to start with Sherborne after his hat trick heroics against Swindon and instead stick with Michael Charles up front proved a masterstroke as Charles grabbed his own hat trick in this game. Our next game is this Saturday (August 27th) away at Leamington, who are 3rd in the league and one of the favourites for promotion this season.

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Baddeley, Davies (Coutts 69 mins), Pettefer, Campbell, Gosney, Brown (Osman 81), Charles (Sherborne 75). Unused subs: Lewis, Oldring.

Hemel Hempstead Town: Mike McEntergart, May, Clayton, Smith, Goodhind (Morgan Williams 82), Matthew McEntergart, Malone, Gilbert (Stead 54), Toomey (Gorman 90), Marvin Williams, Blake. Unused subs: Rydeheard, Reading.

Goals: AFC Totton: Charles (2, 4, 58 mins)

Officials: Referee: Mr J Scott. Assistants: Mr A Anastasiou & Mr C Reid.

Attendance: 148.

(For food and drink scores click on 'Burger League' tab at the top of the page.)

AFC Totton 4-0 Swindon Supermarine, 20/08/11 3:15pm

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The kick off for this match was delayed by 15 minutes after Swindon Supermarine arrived late due to heavy traffic on the A34. Swindon lost both their opening games 2-0 before the visit to the Testwood Stadium today. Brackley Town scored two late goals on the opening day to beat Swindon on their own turf, while Totton's fellow South & West Division promotion winners Frome Town continued their winning start to the season as they triumphed in the midweek fixture.

Totton could have been ahead in this one very early when James Coutts, making his first start for the club, crossed to the far post and Michael Charles thought he'd scored, but his point blank header was somehow kept out by Swindon keeper Kent Kauppinen and cleared to safety. Tom Baddeley then ventured forward and after Charles' cross was cleared, the ball fell to Baddeley who's low shot from distance was well wide of the goal.

Marine had their first shot on target when Danny Urry's curled effort went straight into the arms of Grant Porter. 5 minutes later Coutts had a pot-shot from 25 yards that Kauppinen was right behind. Totton didn't have it all their own way though, and Swindon were soon on the attack again. Mitchell Bryant beat Nathan Campbell for pace as they both chased a long ball from the back and delivered a cross that Urry couldn't quite connect with as he stretched to try and turn the ball in, and it rolled wide for a goal kick.

Coutts must have thought he'd given Totton the lead when, after Michael Charles' shot was parried by Kauppinen, the ball fell to him on the edge of the box and his deflected shot was cleared off the line. Moments later Coutts was at it again, this time Kauppinen was well behind his curled shot from 18 yards. Tom Baddeley then picked up a booking for a foul on Alex Allard. Just before half time Mike Gosney had his first real chance of the afternoon when Coutts picked him out in the box but his shot on the volley was high over the bar.

Half time: AFC Totton 0-0 Swindon Supermarine

Within 5 minutes of the restart, Totton were on the attack. Gosney's cross found Charles at the back post but his header from a tight angle was into the side netting. Stefan Brown then made a chance for himself when he brought down Tom Baddeley's long pass and cut inside, but his shot was always rising and flew over the bar. It was then hard to believe Swindon weren't in front after a free kick into the box resulted in pinball, with Marine having 4 shots blocked in a matter of seconds before the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

Soon after though, it was the same scenario at the other end of the pitch. From a corner, Totton had 4 or 5 shots on goal blocked or saved before Swindon were able to get rid of the danger. Porter then did well to palm away a shot from distance as Swindon continued to threaten to end Totton's clean sheet start to the season. It wasn't long though before the deadlock was finally broken, and it was Totton who were in front. Carl Pettefer played a superb diagonal pass out wide to Gosney on the left wing and he cut inside one defender before placing his shot inside the near post. Swindon got the game started again, lost the ball and conceded a penalty, all in the space of 60 seconds. Gosney stepped up to take it, but Swindon's man of the match, Kent Kauppinen, kept them in the game by plunging to his right to push Gosney's effort round the post for a corner.

Totton didn't have to wait long to double their advantage though. Jon Davies did well to keep possession in the box before sending a header over to Nathaniel Sherborne who finished expertly with an overhead scissor kick into the bottom corner. The Stag Army were in fine voice and soon they had even more reason to sing when a Ryan Hill free kick right on the edge of the area was parried by Kauppinen and Sherborne was the first to react as he dived in to send the ball past the keeper for 3-0. And with a minute left on the clock Sherborne sent the home support into raptures once more when he unleashed a powerful shot to send the ball sailing into the roof of the net to complete his hattrick.

Full time: AFC Totton 4-0 Swindon Supermarine

Totton maintain a 100% start to the season, with a record of: Won 3, Scored 12, Conceded 0. It took a long time to get the first goal but as soon as it came, the floodgates opened and were it not for Gosney's penalty miss, and the fine form of Swindon goalkeeper Kent Kauppinen, it could have been a lot more than 4-0. Come to think of it, when was the last time Gosney missed a penalty? Answers on a postcard, please. Our next game is this Tuesday away at Hemel Hempstead for a 7:45pm kick off.

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Richardson, Campbell, Baddeley, Davies (Abe 83 mins), Pettefer (C), Coutts, Gosney, Charles (Sherborne 57), Brown (Osman 80). Unused subs: Lewis, Oldring.

Swindon Supermarine: Kauppinen, Allard, Robinson, Etheridge, Beeden, Bampton (C) (Cole 29), Wells, Morris (Dean 80), Bryant (Edenborough 61), Bohane, Urry. Unused subs: Allen, Wood.

Goals: AFC Totton: Gosney (73), Sherborne (Hattrick 77, 82, 90).

Officials: Referee: Mr J Pike. Assistants: Mr B Small & Mr C Nzenga.

Attendance: 252.

AFC Totton 6-0 Oxford City, 16/08/11 7:45pm

                  V




After a relatively comfortable victory against Arlesey Town in the first game of the season, Totton faced a seemingly more difficult test on Tuesday evening when Oxford City visited the Testwood Stadium. City are an established Southern Premier League side, but finished a disappointing 14th last season. While Totton were winning at Arlesey at the weekend, Oxford had to settle for a point at home as they drew 1-1 with Redditch United.

For the first 10 minutes of this game it looked as if Oxford would give Totton a much sterner test than Arlesey as they made it difficult for us to get hold of the ball on the floor and play our passing game. Stefan Brown had a shot that went just over the bar in the 7th minute after a rare Totton move in the opening stages. From a Gosney corner, Michael Charles and Oxford keeper Jason Mooney both went for the ball and when Mooney couldn't hold onto it, the ball fell to Stefan Brown whose shot was deflected over the bar.

Mooney then made an excellent save to deny Gosney as his curling shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of the 6ft 9in former bartender at Wycombe Wanderers. The ex-pint puller was soon picking the ball out of the net though after a free kick right on the edge of the 18-yard box was fired under the wall and into the bottom corner by Ryan Hill for his first goal of the season. Mooney got a hand to the low strike but couldn't keep it out. With 10 minutes to go in the first half, Totton doubled the lead. From a Gosney corner on the right, Brown lost his marker to send a glancing header across goal and into the far side of the net.

Just as it looked like The Stags would go in at the break at 2-0, two goals in as many minutes right at the end of the first half ended the game as a contest. First, Stefan Brown did well to work a bit of space in the box and curl a shot away from Mooney's outstretched arm for 3-0, then Gosney bundled in Jon Davies' low cross at the far post under pressure from two defenders to make Stuart Ritchie's half time talk much easier.

Half time: AFC Totton 4-0 Oxford City

Oxford made 2 changes at half time, with Wayne Blossom and Jimmy Deabill replacing Nick Stanley and Reece Fleet. Totton continued to run the game and 11 minutes into the second half we were out of sight. A brilliant flowing passing move ended with Gosney receiving the ball on the edge of the area, taking it past one defender and firing a shot past Mooney and into the goal off the underside of the crossbar. A minute later and Michael Charles came close to making it six as he stretched to get on the end of Gosney's curled cross but the ball just evaded the striker's boot and flew wide of the post.

Totton substitute James Coutts fired over the bar on 73 minutes, before City striker Steve Basham missed the easiest chance for either side all evening. As a cross came in from the wing, Grant Porter couldn't get to it and Basham was presented with an empty goal but somehow managed to volley the ball wide from 3 yards out. Gosney tried his luck again after Carl Pettefer's pass set him up but after switching the ball onto his right foot the shot was just over the bar.

Some excellent defending on the line then denied Totton a sixth goal. A ball over the top found sub Mark Osman. Mooney came rushing out of the Oxford goal to meet him but was then caught in no-mans-land when Osman squared the ball to Gosney. As Gosney collected the ball an Oxford defender got back to block his goal-bound strike and the ball was cleared to safety.  With 3 minutes to go, Totton made it a super six. A free kick 20 yards out was taken low by Gosney and as Mooney got down to save he parried it back towards the on-rushing Nathaniel Sherborne who slid in ahead of the defence to slot the ball home.

Full time: AFC Totton 6-0 Oxford City

A fantastic result for The Stags against an established Southern Premier League side, and after only 2 league games we are top of the league! Early, I know, but it's still nice to see. And we outdid Southampton despite their best efforts to emulate our emphatic scoreline(!) Totton are at home again for our next match when Swindon Supermarine are in town this Saturday at 3pm. See you then!

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Baddeley, Davies (Coutts 61 mins), Campbell, Pettefer (C), Gosney, Charles (Sherborne 65), Brown (Osman 72). Subs: Lewis, Oldring, Coutts, Sherborne, Osman.

Oxford City: Mooney, Ballard, Learoyd, Clarke, Ashton (Martin), Barcelos, Pond, Fleet (Deabill), Stanley (Blossom), Basham, Steele. Subs: Blossom, Martin, Green, Deabill, Benjamin.

Goals: AFC Totton: Hill (21 mins), Brown (36 and 43), Gosney (44 and 56), Sherborne (87).

Officials: Referee: Mr D Robathan. Assistants: Miss L May & Mr A Foster.

Attendance: 354.