Cirencester Town 1-2 AFC Totton, 28/01/12 3pm

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Totton are still keeping up with Brackley at the top of the league despite not winning away from the Testwood Stadium since mid-November. 3 away defeats on the bounce (Chippenham, Weymouth and Barwell) have put a small dent in The Stags' promotion bid, but the teams around us have also been slipping up so the situation is not as bad it could have been. This time we were away at Cirencester Town. The Centurions are second from bottom and lost 3-0 in the reverse fixture at the Testwood Stadium back in October.

The first real chance of this game fell to Totton after 14 minutes when Mike Gosney's free kick was headed goalwards by Jamie Whisken, but the ball was tipped over the bar by Cirencester keeper Charles Steward.

A few minutes later Gosney had another free kick 20 yards from goal. The Cirencester goal was never in any danger though as the ball cleared not only the crossbar but also the stand behind the goal, which echoed with the disappointed groans of the Totton fans.

Cirencester's first chance came in the 20th minute when Scott Griffin lost his marker and sent a curling left footed shot towards the far corner, but Dan Thomas made a superb diving save to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Griffin was at it again soon after when he found himself in a good position but was thwarted by Thomas who raced off his line to block well and concede a corner.

Nathan Davies had to be replaced by Aiden Bennett just after the half-hour mark after picking up an unfortunate off-the-ball hamstring injury.

Totton were then denied the lead when Nathan Jack's header from Jon Davies' cross looked destined for the back of the net with Steward well beaten, but Andy Gunn and Wayne Turk cleared the ball off the line.

With 2 minutes to go in the first half, Cirencester took the lead against the run of play. James Mortimer-Jones was given too much time and space just outside the box and unleashed a superb long range shot that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the goal with Thomas rooted to the spot.

Half time: Cirencester Town 1-0 AFC Totton

The second half was just a few minutes old when Cirencester had the crossbar to thank for keeping them in front. Gosney swung in another good ball from the left and Scott Claridge inexplicably crashed a header against his own crossbar before the ball was scrambled away from danger.

Jon Davies then worked himself a bit of space in the box and hit a powerful shot that was tipped over the bar at full stretch by Steward.

Totton's dominance finally told just after the hour. Gosney whipped in another low corner towards the near post and Steward got down to parry it, but the ball bounced up kindly for Jamie Whisken who poked it over the line for his first goal of the season to bring The Stags level.

Cirencester didn't let the equaliser get them down and continued to push forward. Jon Else didn't really trouble Thomas with a couple of long range efforts and Scott Griffin headed wide from Lee Smith's cross.

The referee, who didn't exactly endear himself to either set of supporters, management or players then sent Jon Davies off after a second yellow card for talking back to the linesman. Davies was angry as he felt he had been fouled but the linesman flagged in Cirencester's favour.

The sending off didn't seem to affect Totton. If anything, it spurred them on even more. If Barwell could do it with 10 men last week, Totton could do it this week. 

In the 82nd minute, their endeavour paid off. Cirencester failed to deal with a Totton corner and after a bit of pinball in the box, Stefan Brown fired home at the second attempt to send the away fans wild.

Cirencester threatened to bring the scoreline level in the final minutes as Zak Westlake  headed wide from a corner, then Wayne Turk volleyed just wide when a clearance from a corner fell for him on the edge of the box but Totton held firm to claim all 3 points.

Full time: Cirencester Town 1-2 AFC Totton

Totton grabbed their first away win since a 2-1 win at Bedford on November 19th. Some will feel it was a deserved victory as The Stags dominated for most of the game and were slightly aggrieved at the dismissal of Jon Davies and a booking for Ross Bottomley for kicking the ball away, when it wasn't actually him who kicked it. Totton have now done the double over Cirencester who remain second from bottom, now level on points with near neighbours Swindon Supermarine after their 4-3 win at Evesham. Next up for Totton is the rearranged Hampshire Senior Cup quarter final tie at home against AFC Portchester. The winner will be away to Havant & Waterlooville in the semi finals. In the league, our next game is a home match with St Albans City next Saturday.

Cirencester Town: Steward, Claridge, Dunton (Bevan 86), Gunn, Davies (Bennett 32), Westlake, Turk, Mortimer-Jones, Smith (Bryant 75), Griffin, Else. Unused subs: Dunn.

AFC Totton: Thomas, Hill, Whisken, Bottomley, Baddeley, Davies, Campbell, Pettefer, Gosney, Jack, Brown. Subs: Porter, Richardson, Charles, Sherborne, Osman.

Goals:

Cirencester: Mortimer-Jones (43)

Totton: Whisken (65), Brown (82)

Officials: Referee: Mr B Durie. Assistants: Mr O Ballinger & Mr P Moungarret.

Attendance: 126

AFC Totton 2-1 Banbury United, 17/01/12 7:45pm

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Totton have started to find their feet again after two straight defeats over the new year period. A 3-0 win over Chesham was followed by a victory of the same scoreline against Swindon Supermarine in the Red Insure Cup. A 2-2 draw with Brackley at the weekend made it 3 games unbeaten in all competitions for The Stags now. To extend that run we would have to get something against Brackley's local rivals Banbury United. The Puritans' recent form has been indifferent at best; 2 wins, 2 defeats and 2 draws from their last 6 games. Returning to the Totton starting line up for this game were wingers Mike Gosney and Jon Davies who both started on the bench against Brackley. Salisbury loanee Charlie Knight retained his place at left back, and Ross Bottomley once more took up a central midfield role.

For the first 20 minutes of this game, you could have watched the cars go by on Salisbury Road or gazed at the flocks of crows and jackdaws flying overhead to their night-time roost over by Testwood Lakes.

Anything would have been more interesting to watch than whatever was going on out on the pitch. There were no real chances to speak of for either side and 90% of the play seemed to be going on around the halfway line.

Eventually I had something worth noting down. Ben Thackeray was found with an excellent ball over the defence and the Banbury striker took control of the ball before smashing it into the side netting.

As it turned out, the linesman had raised his flag for offside so it wouldn't have counted if it had gone the right side of the post.

On 27 minutes Totton should really have taken the lead. Mike Gosney was put through on goal by Mark Osman and tried to place his shot in the far corner but the ball went across goal and wide of the post.

With half an hour played, a Banbury cross was headed clear by Jamie Whisken as far as Josh Cole 30 yards out and his first time shot was well wide of the goal.

Totton finally broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. A free kick into the box was headed down by Osman for Michael Charles to control and turn on a sixpence before firing home to give Totton the lead.

Josh Blake was denied an equaliser just before the break by Dan Thomas who dived to his right to push the ball behind for a corner, which was headed wide for a goal kick.

Half time: AFC Totton 1-0 Banbury United

With the second half just 7 minutes old, Banbury capitalised on a defensive mix-up to grab an equaliser.

Jamie Whisken turned to pass the ball back to Thomas in the Totton goal but the pass was intercepted as Blake pounced to get to the ball before Thomas, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

5 minutes later a shot from the edge of the box from Osman was tipped over the bar by Banbury goalkeeper Andy Kemp who appeared to pull his hamstring in the process but carried on.

With 15 minutes remaining Totton regained the lead. A long ball forward fell to Charles who, with his back to goal, flicked the ball up and over his head for Jon Davies to race onto ahead of the defenders and take a touch before placing his shot into the bottom corner.

Shortly after the goal Davies came close again when his curling effort from the corner of the box was just high and wide of the far corner of the goal.

Banbury then wasted a golden opportunity to equalise when Totton lost possession out wide on the left and the ball was crossed into the box for Thackeray, but his shot was straight at Thomas.

With 5 minutes of normal time to go Totton thought they were home and dry. Gosney's corner was headed back across goal by Whisken to Charles who thought he'd scored but his close range header was cleared off the line by the head of Tommy Kinch.

Into added time and Dan Thomas pulled off another excellent save to deny Banbury a point. Substitute Joe Eyre went on a run to the edge of the box and pulled the trigger but Thomas scrambled across goal to get down and tip the ball behind for a corner which came to nothing.

Full time: AFC Totton 2-1 Banbury United

For the first 20 minutes you wouldn't have thought the rest of the game would be so end-to-end. It was a frantic finish to the game after Totton re-took the lead and Banbury may feel they deserved a point from it. Totton are now unbeaten in 4 games in all competitions and we have the chance to extend that further when we visit Barwell on Saturday for our longest away trip of the season. In the home fixture back in September, Barwell were masters of their own downfall. With the score level at 1-1, Barwell wasted copious amounts of time as they seemed happy to settle for a point. The referee played 8 minutes of injury time as a result and Barwell paid the price as Ryan Hill's free kick in the 7th minute of added time won the game for Totton. So yeah, 3pm, Barwell, this Saturday. See you there!

AFC Totton: Thomas, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Knight, Davies (Campbell 87), Bottomley, Pettefer, Gosney, Osman (Jack 90), Charles (Sherborne 90). Unused subs: Baddeley, Brown.

Banbury United: Kemp, Coleman, Kinch, Dolman, Chilton, Howell (L. Cole 88), Williams, J. Cole, Blake (Fraser 88), Thackeray (Eyre 83), Polk. Unused subs: Lamb.

Goals:
Totton: Charles (36), Davies (75)
Banbury: Blake (52)

Officials: Referee: Mr A Tranter. Assistants: Mr P Byfield & Mr J Rake.

Attendance: 328.

AFC Totton 2-2 Brackley Town, 14/01/12 3pm

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Totton got back to winning ways last week with a far from comfortable 3-0 win over Chesham United at the Testwood Stadium. Despite going down to 10 men, Chesham were by far the superior side and the scoreline didn't reflect the game at all. Still, 3 points on the board after two straight defeats and now we could move on to what was being billed as the biggest game of the season in the Southern Premier League. 2nd v 1st at the top of the table as Totton hosted Brackley Town. In the reverse fixture back in September, Totton won 3-0. Like the Chesham game last week, the scoreline flattered Totton and we should have been about 4-0 down at half time. Never mind though, eh? This is a results business, forget the "what if"s and the "should have"s. On loan Salisbury left back Charlie Knight started this one, as did Dan Thomas is goal and central defender Ross Bottomley in midfield.

Totton only managed one shot on target in the first 10 minutes of this game. As it happens though, this shot went in.

From the kick off, a long ball forward was headed on by Nathaniel Sherborne and the ball fell for Michael Charles who, from a tight angle just outside the box, expertly lobbed the ball up and over Brackley keeper Billy Turley and over the line to give Totton the lead after just 14 SECONDS.

Brackley responded well to this early setback and steadied the ship after a couple more half-chances for Totton.

A foul by Nathan Campbell provided Brackley the opportunity to work Dan Thomas in the Totton goal with a free kick 25 yards out.

Instead, the on-loan Bournemouth keeper almost got a crick in his neck as he watched the ball soar a mile over his crossbar.

Brackley's Josh Green picked up a booking for a foul on Sherborne out wide on the right and gave Totton the chance to put another good ball into the box.

Ryan Hill did just that and caused panic at the far post where the ball was eventually headed behind by Carl Palmer for a corner.

Michael Charles was soon in on goal again, despite protests for offside by the Brackley defence. Their preference to stand around disputing it allowed Charles to race clear and get one on one with Turley but his rising shot was a whisker wide of the post.

With 5 minutes to go until half time, Brackley scored a fortuitous but deserved equaliser.

Elliot Sandy collected the ball out near the corner flag and cut inside before firing in a goal almost identical to the one Mike Gosney scored against Bashley on Boxing Day as the ball flew through a packed penalty area and into the far corner of the net.

Totton almost regained the lead straight away when Ryan Hill's low, hard cross was met by Ian Richardson at the near post but he could only manage to poke the ball an inch wide of the post with the goal at his mercy.

Half time: AFC Totton 1-1 Brackley Town

The Stags nearly began the second half the way they did in the first half. Ryan Hill's long ball forward was flicked on by Sherborne's header but this time Turley beat Charles to the ball.

With just over an hour played, Brackley completed the turn-around as they took the lead against Totton for the first time this season.

A cross from the right was headed back across goal and Glenn Walker scored with a powerful header which Thomas stretched for but couldn't get to as he was moving in the opposite direction.

The balance of power had quickly shifted to Brackley and they nearly extended their lead when a shot across goal rolled just wide of the far post with no one able to get the touch that would have turned it in.

But just as it looked as if the away side would go on to stamp their authority on the game, Totton equalised with a rather untidy looking goal.

Ross Bottomley did well to control the ball on the edge of the box before playing a precise through ball for substitute Mike Gosney to run on to.

Gosney fizzed a low cross into the box and an initial shot from somewhere in the crowd of bodies was blocked on the line by Turley and bounced back into the melee. Eventually the net bulged as Mark Osman, also fresh off the bench, stabbed the ball under Turley and over the line.

The travelling Brackley support were soon cheering again when a header from a corner appeared to have given them the lead once more, but their glee was cut short as Jamie Whisken made a superb acrobatic overhead clearance on the line.

With seconds remaining, Totton had the chance to snatch all 3 points. A free kick was awarded 30 yards from goal and Ryan Hill stood over it. His long range effort wasn't far wide of the right hand post and the referee blew the whistle shortly after the resulting goal kick.

Full time: AFC Totton 2-2 Brackley Town

What a topsy-turvy game that was! Totton scored the fastest goal of the season after just 14 seconds. There were still one or two stragglers making their way through the turnstiles when the ball crossed the line. Brackley were always a threat and it was clear to see why they are top of the league. But if Totton can take advantage of our three games in hand, The Saints might not be top for much longer. It was a typical top-of-the-table clash at any level, with both sides cancelling each other out at times and in the end a point apiece was a fair result. Also, if you'd asked me before the game, I'd have snatched your hand off for a point from this game. Next up for Totton is the visit of Brackley's near neighbours Banbury United on Tuesday evening for a 7:45pm kick off.

AFC Totton: Thomas, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Knight, Pettefer (Davies 70), Campbell, Bottomley, Jack (Gosney 65), Charles (Osman 61), Sherborne. Unused subs: Baddeley, Brown.

Brackley Town: Turley, Clifton, Nisevic, Palmer, J. Green (Kemp 17), Marshall, Story, Solkhon, Sandy, Louis, Walker. Unused Subs : Myles, Magunda, W. Green, Diggin.

Goals:

Totton: Charles (1), Osman (72)

Brackley: Sandy (40), Walker (64)

Officials: Referee: Mr M Derrien. Assistants: Mr A Baker & Mr P Knight.

Attendance: 654.

Transfer News: Knight Rides In

AFC Totton have completed the signing of Charlie Knight from Salisbury City on loan until the end of the season.

Knight, 24, can play anywhere down the left side, in defence or midfield. He has had two spells at Salisbury either side of a stint with Bashley, and will be an excellent addition to the Totton squad.

Knight was an 81st minute substitute in Salisbury's FA Cup 3rd Round defeat at Sheffield United in January.

Ritch Reward

AFC Totton manager Stuart Ritchie has signed a new 2 and a half year deal with the club to remain as manager until at least the end of the 2013/14 season.

The news comes after weeks of local media reports that Ritchie was close to agreeing a new contract. The former Aston Villa and Crewe Alexandra midfielder has been in charge at Totton since 2004 and the new contract will take him up to a decade at the helm.

There has been recent speculation that Ritchie was being looked at by clubs in higher divisions as he spoke of his desire to achieve bigger things.

Back in December Ritchie told the Southern Daily Echo: "I'm ambitious to go higher and I've proved my credibility as a manager. The idea of talking to the club is to see what they're thinking, weigh up my options and take it from there."

There was never any suggestion that Ritchie was looking to leave Totton after seven success-filled seasons, but with his contract due to expire at the end of the current season, he wanted assurances that the club's ambitions matched his own.

Under the management of Ritchie and his assistant Sean New, Totton have improved their league position every single season since the pair took over back in 2004. From mid-table obscurity in the Wessex League, Totton have risen to the dizzy heights of 2nd in the Southern Premier League ahead of this weekend's top-of-the-table clash against current league leaders Brackley Town.

As well as the incredible rise up through the leagues, including 2 promotions, Ritchie's tenure has also seen the club win the Hampshire Senior Cup twice, play in the FA Vase final in front of a crowd of over 32,000 at the New Wembley Stadium, reach the 2nd round of the FA Cup having never even qualified for the first round before, play against a league side for the first time and play in a live televised game for the first time.

Here's to more success in the not-too-distant future for Totton and Stuart!

AFC Totton 3-0 Chesham United, 07/01/11 3pm

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After torrential rain and near-hurricane force winds all week, the skies cleared on Friday just in time for the football. Totton were hoping to get back to winning ways after two straight defeats, away at Chippenham and Weymouth. In this game we came up against promotion chasing Chesham United. The Generals aren't exactly on fire either at the moment. Despite their lofty position of 2nd place, they have won only once in their last 6 before this game and that was in their last match when they beat Arlesey Town 2-0 at home. On loan Bournemouth goalkeeper Dan Thomas started between the sticks for Totton, but returning defender Ross Bottomley wasn't registered in time for the game and had to make do with watching on from the sidelines.

Chesham made a good start, with Chris Watters sending a shot wide of the post in the 4th minute. Then a free kick was won out wide on the right but it was taken quickly with no one else ready and rolled out for a goal kick.

2 minutes later Chesham were awarded another free kick in an almost identical position to the last. This time though, they managed to make more of it. The free kick was swung over towards the far post where Rob Bartley rose highest but sent his header a whisker wide of the upright.

With 10 minutes played Totton won a free kick on the right. It was played in by Mike Gosney and Jamie Whisken just failed to get his head on the ball as it went straight into the keeper's hands.

Up the other end, Chesham came close again when a cross came in and Simon Thomas' header seemed to be heading for the back of the net until it was cleared off the line with Dan Thomas wrong-footed.

After Steve Wales stung the palms of Dan Thomas with a long range strike, Totton were denied a corner when Michael Charles was clean through on goal and his shot was deflected wide, but the referee gave Chesham a goal kick.

With almost a quarter of an hour gone, Totton were given the chance to take the lead. Jon Davies played a lobbed ball over the defence for Charles. The striker timed his run well to remain onside, but his progress was brought to an abrupt halt just inside the box by Rob Bartley.

The referee pointed to the spot and, after waving away the Chesham players' protests, showed Bartley a straight red card. Mike Gosney (as usual) scored the penalty, sending Shane Gore the wrong way.

This was becoming a game of free kicks, and shortly after the penalty, Chesham came close with yet another set piece. The free kick was headed behind at the far post.

Gosney's low cross on 25 minutes found Michael Charles and his first time shot was blocked by a defender and went behind for a corner.

From the corner, Ian Richardson headed the ball back across goal and Charles' header beat Gore but failed to beat the woodwork as it came down off the underside of the crossbar and was cleared for a throw-in.

Chris Watters then came closer to the corner flag than the goal with a wayward shot from the edge of the box.

Gosney was booked for a foul with less than 5 minutes to go in the first half, but then made amends by clearing the resulting free kick.

Half time: AFC Totton 1-0 Chesham United

3 minutes into the second half Chesham were denied twice in just a few seconds. First, a lobbed shot over Dan Thomas was headed off the line by Ryan Hill, then a shot from the edge of the box cannoned off the bottom of the post and went out for a goal kick.

For the next 20 minutes the game became a bit scrappy with both sides having one or two half chances, but Chesham had the lion's share of possession.

Nathaniel Sherborne, who had come on in place of Stefan Brown earlier in the second half, then sparked the crowd into life when he skipped past 3 Chesham players to get into a good goal-scoring position, but he couldn't beat the final defender who managed to get a leg in front of the shot and the ball rolled harmlessly into the keeper's hands.

Sherborne was then presented with a golden opportunity to double the lead when the Chesham left back slipped, allowing Charles to get into the box. His run drew the keeper out of his goal and he squared the ball to Sherborne who scooped a shot high over the open goal.

Gosney was replaced by Nathan Jack with 20 minutes remaining and the substitute single-handedly made sure of all 3 points for Totton.

First, on 75 minutes, Jack received the ball out wide on the left an cut inside, beating 2 Chesham defenders on the way, before curling a brilliant effort into the top corner with his right foot.

Then, with 2 minutes of normal time to play, Davies did well to get past a couple of Chesham players down the right and ran to the edge of the box. With Nathan Jack unmarked to his left, he played the ball across and Jack let fly with a left footed strike that flew inside the near post to put the result beyond doubt.

Full time: AFC Totton 3-0 Chesham United

Not exactly a vintage display by Totton, but the players got the job done in the end. Chesham outplayed us for most of the game, even with 10 men. But despite their dominance, the away side hardly had a shot on target in the game. The introduction of Nathan Jack in the second half made all the difference as he pretty much won the game on his own. So Totton still aren't playing at their best, but 3 points is 3 points and for now that will do. But the standard will have to raise for the visit of top-of-the-table Brackley Town next Saturday.

AFC Totton: Thomas, Hill, Whisken, Richardson, Baddeley, Davies, Campbell, Pettefer, Gosney (Jack 69), Brown (Sherborne 56), Charles (Osman 84). Unused subs: Porter, McKie.

Chesham United: Gore, Kyriacou, Gudgeon, Lambert, Bartley, Wilson (Thomas 81), Fotheringham, Wales, Potton (Archer 74), Thomas, Watters (Wadkins 69). Unused subs: Watson, Elenge.

Goals:
Totton: Gosney (15 pen), Jack (75, 88).

Officials: Referee: Mr C Wade. Assistants: Mr B Williamson & Mr S Tobin.

Attendance: 579.

Transfer News: Two In, One Out

AFC Totton are pleased to announce the signings of defender Ross Bottomley on a permanent contract and goalkeeper Dan Thomas on a one month loan.

Bottomley, a central defender, is no stranger to Stags fans, having played for us before. He was a member of the squad that played in the FA Vase final at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007, alongside current club stalwarts Mark Osman and Mike Gosney.

Ross left the club in December 2009, joining local neighbours Bashley on loan, before eventually signing a permanent deal with Eastleigh. Before joining Totton, Ross played for Fareham Town and Hamble ASSC. Ross will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's home league match against 2nd place Chesham United.

Goalkeeper Dan Thomas (left), joins The Stags on a one month loan deal from League One side AFC Bournemouth. The 20 year old has made 3 appearances for the Cherries first team and has spent time on loan at Dorchester Town and Welling United.




Meanwhile, Totton right back Aidan Lewis has joined Gosport Borough on a 3 month loan deal. Aidan (right) has found it difficult to get games this season with Ryan Hill and Scott Sampson preferred at right back and has made only a handful of appearances for the first team, mainly in cup games, also playing a few times for the reserves this season.

Chippenham Town 2-1 AFC Totton, 31/12/11 3pm

                 
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Totton were hoping to end the year on a high after the 2-0 derby day win over Bashley on Boxing Day. Any sort of result at Chippenham would be a good one as the Bluebirds are one of the form sides in the division at the moment. They are unbeaten in their last 8 games, stretching back to a 5-3 defeat at Barwell on 8th October.

The game began very end to end, with Chippenham slightly edging the play.

Nathaniel Sherborne lofted an attempted lob over the bar when he spotted Chippenham keeper Will Puddy off his line.

Chippenham's Ross Stearn then crossed for Steve Casey whose headed effort was cleared off the Totton goal-line.

Referee Andrew Newell turned down two good shouts for Totton penalties in the first half.

The first when Nathaniel Sherborne burst into the box and went past one defender before being bundled over by a combination of three others. The referee couldn't have had a better view but he waved play on.

Then former Chippenham player Jon Davies ran to the by-line and attempted to play the ball into the box but his cross appeared to be blocked by the arm of a Chippenham defender.

Half time: Chippenham Town 0-0 AFC Totton

Ross Stearn drew a fine save from Totton keeper Grant Porter in the second half and then Andy Sandell fired over the bar from the rebound.

Chippenham tried their luck from distance many times in the second half with the ball frequently ending up in the next field or in the locals' gardens.

It seemed as if The Bluebirds would have been happy with a point from the game with plenty of time wasting with goal kicks and the taking of free kicks, throw-ins and corners.

With 15 minutes to go, a Totton attack ended with Chippenham keeper Puddy safely claiming the ball and launching it up-field.

While play was going on in midfield a Chippenham defender tangled with Jon Davies in the box and shoved him in the chest.

The linesman spotted the incident and raised his flag to his chest to indicate a penalty. After a 5 minute discussion with his assistant, and arguments from the Chippenham players, the referee pointed to the spot and booked the wrong player in the process.

Mike Gosney did what he does best and sent Puddy the wrong way to give Totton what looked like a late winner, with just 10 minutes remaining.

4 minutes later Chippenham were level. Lewis Powell crashed a header against the crossbar from a cross on the right. The ball bounced down onto the line and was cleared.

Totton should have learned from that let-off, but 10 seconds later the ball was whipped in once more and this time Powell made no mistake as his header evaded the outstretched arm of Grant Porter.

Totton were then outdone in the 2nd minute of added time, which might not even have been played if the officials hadn't spent so long deciding whether or not to give Totton their penalty.

The same two players that brought Chippenham level combined again with Ross Stearn crossing from the same side and Lewis Powell applied the finishing touch.

Totton had another shout for a penalty turned down in the 4th minute of added time when Sherborne appeared to be held back as he controlled a long ball into the box but once more, referee Newell wasn't interested.

Full time: Chippenham Town 2-1 AFC Totton

At 1-0, Totton looked as if they would go on to see out the game and claim all 3 points. In the end they travelled back to Hampshire with nothing. It was a scrappy game, with Totton not at their usual level and a very one-dimensional Chippenham playing a long-ball game that meant their midfield were hardly in the game. On reflection, neither side really deserved to win and a draw would have been a fair result, but Chippenham fans might argue that justice was done after the controversy surrounding the Totton penalty. So we move on, and Totton are away for the second time in 3 days when they travel to Weymouth on 2nd January 2012. Stags midfielder James Coutts is on loan at the Bob Lucas Stadium and will therefore be ineligible to play against his parent club.

Chippenham Town: Puddy, Harvey, Lamb, Williams, Casey, Rudge (Tindell 58), Sandell, Stearn, Powell, Griffin, Guthrie. Unused subs: Gilroy, Kite, Randhawa.

AFC Totton: Porter, Hill, Richardson (Sturgess 90), Whisken, Sampson (Oldring 46), Davies, Campbell, Pettefer, Gosney, Sherborne, Osman (Brown 84). Unused subs: Jack, Charles.

Goals:
Chippenham: Powell (84, 90)
Totton: Gosney (80 pen)

Officials: Referee: Mr A Newell. Assistants: Mr M Dadds & Mr R Cockle.

Attendance: 610