AFC Totton continue match-winning streak after beating Westbury United FC
Southern League Div One
Westbury United F.C.1
AFC Totten 2
AFC Totton extended their remarkable 15-game unbeaten run to remain second in the table after a hard-fought 2-1 win at Westbury United.
The Stags haven’t lost a game since late August and thanks to a well-hit brace from Scott Rendell with the number 9, that run never seemed to end.
The former Luton Town and Eastleigh striker put the visitors ahead with a simple finish after 15 minutes before extending the lead with the first of three possible penalties awarded at the Meadow Lane ground in Wiltshire.
Manager Jimmy Ball made just one change to the line-up, with midfielder Adam Tomasso replacing forward Silvano Obeng, who was benched.
Ethan Taylor got behind the hosts’ defense after 15 minutes and found his way into the box before firing a low shot into the far corner. A decent save held off the effort, but an unmarked Rendell lurked to break the deadlock.
The hosts started the second half well and managed to exercise some control before slamming a brilliant free-kick off the post and bar. However, the Stags then doubled their lead from the penalty spot after Tomasso was shot down with the sickle in the box, with Rendell doing the honors.
The hosts pulled one back when right-back Stephen Hulbert scored from the penalty spot after a poor tackle from Charlie Kennedy and set up a nervous final fifteen minutes.
As play began in the 90th minute, Jordan Ragguette hissed a brilliant cross into the danger zone. Conor Whiteley got on the ball when Hulbert misjudged a tackle from behind and referee Adam Gregory had no choice but to point to the point. Rendell stepped forward again, but this time rattled the woodwork.
Westbury United used the four minutes of injury time, buoyed by the home side’s energetic support, to chase the equalizer. However, the Stags’ defense showed tremendous commitment and composure to watch the game and secure the three points.
The Stags should expect to add to their impressive streak even further when they take on third-bottom Bristol Manor Farm at home on Saturday.
AFC Totton: C Searle, B Read, B Jefford, M Carter, C Kennedy, L Hallett, J Masterton, A Tomasso, S Rendell, E Taylor, T Wright. Subs: C Whiteley, J Ragguette, F Read, C Davis, S Obeng.
