[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bristol Manor Farm suffered more late heartbreak as their spirited comeback was undone at the death by AFC Totton, writes Jack Davies.
Totton came into this off the back of their biggest win of the season last Saturday and had the game’s opening chance. Ethan Taylor gambled at the back post from a Matty Burrows cross but couldn’t make the contact at full tilt.
Manor Farm’s first opening was made by the returning Mason Winter. The full-back-turned-winger put his own superb cross in and Jayden Nielsen was inches away from making a telling connection.
Totton would take the lead following a neat move across the pitch. Burrows fired a cross which Farm failed to clear and veteran forward Scott Rendell was on hand to finish.
One became two shortly after. Farm overplayed in their attack and were punished on the break. Taylor met a dipping delivery at the back post with an emphatic volley to double the lead. The Portwaymen didn’t let it deter them as they began to make attempts to get back in the game.
Winter headed a Jake Gosling corner just over before Josh Ford’s sliced volley bounced towards the goal without any Farm player gambling between the posts.
Farm did get a goal before the break to change the half time mood. Frankie Artus’ neat flick found Owen Howe, who did superbly to hold off two defenders before curling the ball home off his weaker foot from 20 yards out.
The second half began with a baffling refereeing decision. Owen Howe was hacked down inside the area from a challenge nowhere near the ball and somehow the only man who didn’t think it was a penalty was the one who mattered.
Almost directly after the incident, Steve Kingdon flew in with a brilliant block to deny Rendell a second.
Both goalkeepers shared saves from Howe and Taylor before the linesman flag came to Farm’s rescue on the hour. The referee once again missed a clear foul on Howe before Taylor’s celebrations were cut short by the offside call.
Farm, reprieved by the decision, got their equaliser just after. Jake Gosling with a trademark free-kick delivery which flew in off a defender for 2-2.
Like at the weekend, Farm’s comeback efforts would ultimately count for nothing. Ben Read got in on the counter and whilst his low ball was miskicked by winger Jordan Raguette, the ball fell right for Taylor who gave the visitors the lead with four minutes to play.
Totton would even have the luxury of a fourth in the game’s final minute and a beauty it was too. Conor Whiteley flicked the ball over a defender and volleyed home in brilliant style.
(STAR MAN – Mason Winter)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]