TAYLOR’S DOUBLE SILENCES MARTYRS
AFC TOTTON continued their push to the top of the play-off picture as they triumphed over Merthyr Town.
The home side already have a spot in the play-offs in their back pockets but were looking for a victory to build momentum for the postseason after suffering a 1-0 defeat at Hungerford Town last weekend, while Merthyr also slipped up in midweek, losing 2-0 at Winchester City, as the Martyrs try to seal the final spot.
The game started at a breakneck pace, with both sides keen to gain an early advantage, and the visitors forced Josh Gould into a smart early stop.
Totton dominated the ball for most of the half, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third, and were nearly made to pay as Lewys Twamley’s curling effort hit a post, but the sides went in goalless after an even first half.
The interval seemed to benefit the hosts more than their opponents, with the Stags establishing the bulk of possession once more and continuing to probe forward while still lacking the finishing touch. The breakthrough came on the hour mark. Scott Rendell, playing as the shadow striker, dropped off into a pocket of space on the left hand side and delivered a perfect pass to Ethan Taylor, who kept his composure to finish coolly into the bottom corner for the 1-0 lead.
The goal changed the style and tempo of the game with Totton pressing less in the final third in favour of retaining discipline, frustrating their visitors while also picking and choosing their moments to burst forward at speed.
It was one such break that resulted in the second goal – Tony Lee continuing his blossoming partnership with Taylor, as both displayed great physically to create an opening which the latter smashed beyond Jaimie Cogman.
With the two-goal cushion established, the Stags were never truly threatened and were deserving of their victory. Home manager Jimmy Ball was understandably happy with the performance. “The first half was tricky,” he said, adding his outfit were sharper after the break and the final outcome was “justified and pleasing”.