Paulton Rovers 0

AFC Totton 1

High fliers AFC Totton arrived at Winterfield Road with the best defensive record in this league. They claimed the lion’s share of possession from the off. Paulton though, were resolute and determined and captain Neil Martin, Nick Hewlett, Mike Ilea and Dan Restorick were well organised and defiant.

Totton, vociferously led by defensive midfielder Michael Carter, were able to pen Rovers back in their own half for lengthy periods. But for all their possession, the Stags failed to call on Aaron Sainsbury in the Paulton goal to make any meaningful saves. Totton’s Ethan Taylor had a cross comfortably fielded, while Charlie Davis fired a fierce shot wide of the post.

Paulton were relying on the running of Ed Butcher, unusually playing wide on the right, to relieve the pressure. Butcher was able to find plenty of space, but Totton’s rapid closing down of routes through to him meant that opportunities were few. Towards the end of the first half, as Rovers gained some momentum, Martin and Nuno Felix ventured forward to send in inviting crosses, but Charlie Searle in the Totton goal, remained untroubled.

When Paulton were able to break up Totton’s passing, they too often attempted ‘killer passes’ toward centre forward Joe Morgan which were easily gobbled up by the Stags’ defenders. The first half ended with neither side having created a clear opening.

In the second half, Totton sent on Jack Masterton for Matt Burrows and play became more open. Searle caught a dangerous cross from Felix, while Sainsbury held a free kick from Taylor and then denied Masterton with a super stop, the rebound from which flew over the bar.

Then Morgan had a great chance to open the scoring for Rovers as he benefitted from terrific forward play by Butcher. But he turned and volleyed just wide of the post as Searle stood motionless. It was a hands on heads moment for the Paulton crowd.

Totton’s Davis was becoming more and more influential in midfield and in the 71st minute, substitute Freddie Read escaped the attention of the Rovers defenders and sent in a low cross. Scott Rendell was on hand to sidefoot the ball past Sainsbury from close range to give Totton the lead.

Substitutes Will Hailston and Dave O’Hare joined proceedings and from then on, Paulton played some of their best football of the afternoon as they moved the ball through midfield, but were unable to seriously test Searle in the Totton goal.

In the final minutes, as Paulton tried desperately to find an equaliser, Sainsbury ventured forward to receive a throw in on the left, but his deep cross had drawn attackers into an offside position. Then Ed Butcher working the ball from the right, created a shooting opportunity, but fired over the bar.

The Paulton faithful wandered home to write their Valentine cards, while admitting that Totton, efficient and neat in possession, had just about deserved their victory.

Paulton man of the match: Dan Restorick – a calm and strong defensive display. 
 Noel Avis