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Southern League Premier Division South football: Ten-man Stags battle hard to claim all three points

03:00, 14 August 2024

AFC Totton kicked off the 2024/25 season at home to Walton and Hersham, looking to start as they finished the last.

The first chance of the game fell to the Stags through Tony Lee with an ambitious 30-yard volley which sailed just over the bar.

Minutes later the visitors had a penalty shout waved away by the referee, much to their annoyance, in a frantic opening five minutes.

AFC Totton debutant Charlie Austin takes aim, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
AFC Totton debutant Charlie Austin takes aim, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Defender Luke Hallett takes care of the ball on Totton's right flank, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Defender Luke Hallett takes care of the ball on Totton's right flank, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)

The Stags continued to dominate the opening stages as Marcus Daws saw his curled effort blocked.

Stags defender Joe Oastler was the first into the book for stopping a Walton and Hersham counterattack.

The Swans continued their momentum moments later when Jaden Crowhurst found himself one-on-one with Josh Gould, but he failed to capitalise.

The visitors were made to rue that chance on the 23rd minute through a superb counterattack led by Blair who picked out Marcus Daws to slot home for 1-0.

Striker Tony Lee goes close with a shot, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Striker Tony Lee goes close with a shot, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Winger Marcus Daws opens his AFC Totton goalscoring account with a debut goal, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Winger Marcus Daws opens his AFC Totton goalscoring account with a debut goal, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)

Tony Lee had the next chance of the game five minutes from the interval with a 25-yard free kick which went over the bar.

Minutes later, AFC Totton’s new signing Josh Owers saw red when a high boot made contact with a Swans player’s midriff.

A double substitution from Jimmy Bull saw Charlie Austin and defender Charlie Kennedy replace attackers Tom Blair and Marcus Daws.

Despite being down to 10 men, the first chance of the second half fell to Austin who headed just over.

Scott Rendell reaches out one of his telescopic limbs, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Scott Rendell reaches out one of his telescopic limbs, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Charlie Austin, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Charlie Austin, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Defender Declan Rose, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)
Defender Declan Rose, AFC Totton vs Walton & Hersham (picture: Sayers Sports Photography)

The visitors’ momentum grew, forcing Stags keeper Gould into a fine save from point blank range following a Rogalski shot.

Scott Rendell came close to making it two after a defence-splitting one-two between him and Austin ended with him volleying just wide.

Josh Gould was called into action again, again making a point-blank save, keeping the score at 1-0.

Back up the other end, Lee had a double chance to extend the Stags’ lead but both stung Josiah Barker’s palms.

Eight minutes from time, Austin found himself booked by referee Adrian Harris after a scuffle with a Walton and Hersham player.

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