Match Summary: Hartley Wintney v AFC Totton, Hants Cup

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Post by KOB - 13-09-2023, 10:12

Hartley Wintney v AFC Totton, Hampshire FA Servio Mens Senior Cup. Tuesday 12th September 2023.
Match Summary by David Graham

Hartley Wintney bowed out of the Hampshire Senior Cup sponsored by Servio, following a narrow loss against AFC Totton, who currently play their league football a level above the Row.

After a quiet opening, it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 21 minutes. A corner on the left was not cleared by the Row defence and ALFIE STANLEY took full advantage to score from close range. (0-1)

Five minutes later, Mason Obeng went on a fine individual run for the Row and his parting shot was saved by Lewis Noice in the Stags goal.

Hartley had a let-off on the stroke of half-time when a cross from Jordan Helliwell was deflected onto the crossbar by a Hartley defender but was cleared to safety.
HALF-TIME: Hartley Wintney 0 AFC Totton 1

Hartley had the edge in the early part of the second period and pulled level on the hour mark. A long ball down the left found substitute ISAIAH BLANKENDAL. The young Row striker showed good pace and skill to create an opening for himself, and he shot low past Noice from a tight angle. (1-1)

Both sides strove to get the winner and the game became very open and swung from end to end. On 73 minutes, Jayden Smith for the Row set-up Hartley's number 9, Elijas Bagdonavicius, who reacted well to the deflected cross but fired his shot just over.

With Row centre-back CJ Fearn off due to injury, it was Totton who snatched the winner in the closing stages. A left-wing cross from Matthew Burrows found its way to ALFIE STANLEY, who converted from close range again, much the same as he had done in the first-half. (1-2)

Hartley continued to press and showed good determination and energy, but were unable to fashion another clear attempt on goal in the closing minutes. [D Graham]
Full-Time: Hartley Wintney 1 AFC Totton 2

HARTLEY WINTNEY: Killian Barrett, Ashley Akpan, Reece Wylie, Kanye Jobson, Liam Gavin (c), CJ Fearn, Marcio Neves, Omreiki Myles, Elijas Bagdonavicius, Mason Obeng, Cameron Pooni
Subs: Aaron Gardiner, Isaiah Blankendal (on), Jayden Smith (on), Nathanael Boakye (on), Coleridge Fubler (g/k)

AFC TOTTON: Lewis Noice, Benny Read, Jordan Ragguette, Charlie Kennedy, Harry Thomas, Ethan Taylor, Matthew Burrows, Josh Carmichael, Alfie Stanley, Jake Scrimshaw, Jordan Helliwell.
Subs: Nico Trojanowski, Scott Rendell (on), Sam Magri (on), Leon Maloney (on), Leo Taylor

Attendance: 120
Entertainment value 3/5
Hartley Man of the Match: ASHLEY AKPANG

KOB

13-09-2023, 10:50
A good effort from the boys that gave us quite an even game to watch. I don't think many would begrudge Totton the win, but if the one over the bar from Els had gone in, and CJ hadn't been forced off, it could have been a different outcome.

That said, both their goals were poor from our point of view. Deliveries into the box missed by everyone, leaving the Totton player with two of the easiest tap-ins he'll ever get. And while we show excellent levels of ball control at times, a few of our boys need to remember they are team players and need to be aware (and make use of) their team mates. We were guilty of holding onto the ball too long, when looking up and playing a neat one-two could have opened Totton up. We all admire the skills, boys, but not when you lose the ball and the opposition turn us round. Of course, it's not just the player on the ball, his team mates need to show for him and give him an angle.

Whatever level these young players end up at, they will be told to get their head up and know when to release the ball; it's part of the overall development of these players. Having so many young players in our side is a double-edged sword, but some of their - arguably selfish - play is a joy to watch; I don't want it drummed out of them entirely!

I thought Liam had a strong game for us last night. That was no doubt assisted by having CJ next to him, but Liam held his position and didn't get pulled into the melee of the midfield, as I'd seen in pre-season at times.

Compared to Saturday, I felt we did miss not having Reece in the middle. George was suspended for a ban going back to last season with Woking U18s, so I understand the reason for playing Reece at LB, but his influence on the game was much reduced. Taylor was getting a well-earned rest following Saturday's terrific effort. Omreiki Myles came into midfield and I thought he had a good game.

All in all, not a bad performance at all. I arrived wanting to see us at least looking competitive against a step 3 side, and we did, not just in the first-half but for the ninety minutes, so well done to Andy, Woody and the others, and of course the boys for putting that shift in last night.

The man in the middle needs to go on a refresher course. At one point he castigated Mason and told him to leave him to referee the game; frankly he needed all the help he could get and should have gratefully accepted Mason's (and others) advice!

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