B Team Report: AFC Totton 1-4 Saints

Goals from Kazeem Olaigbe, Will Ferry and a trialist saw Saints claim a 4-1 victory.

It was a positive start for the hosts, with Lewis Waterfield’s shot edging just wide of Matt Hall in the Saints goal.

Upon 10 minutes Saints were awarded a free-kick as Olaigbe was brought down, Trialist 2 lined up the shot but it was ultimately blocked by the Totton wall.

It wasn’t long before Trialist 1 set his eyes on goal but his shot met the hands of Lewis Noice.

With 16 minutes played, Olaigbe opened the scoring for Saints as his shot rattled the bottom left of the net.

Totton hit the counter almost instantly as Craig Feeney charged towards Hall but the Saints defence found themselves back in control shortly after.

Next came another shot from Trialist 1 who tried his luck on the edge of the penalty area but the ball was pushed behind for a corner.

With the ball played short from the corner, it was Olly Lancashire’s chance to get on the scoresheet but his shot went well over the crossbar.

Both of Saints’ trialists were looking increasingly dangerous in front of goal, with Trialist 1 eventually doubling Saints’ lead before 25 minutes.

Kaya Tshaka’s late challenge on Jack Hoey awarded Totton a free-kick around the half-way line.

Approaching the half hour mark, Will Ferry whipped in a beautiful ball from the left flank but he couldn’t quite find the feet of his teammate in the centre of the box.

As the half wore on Totton continued to find openings in the game, with Saints conceding two free-kicks in quick succession.

Jack Hoey then found space for Totton, but his shot towards goal dribbled wide. Shortly after, Griffin got his head behind a whopping ball but couldn’t quite get it under control.

Just before the half-time whistle, a beautiful solo effort from Will Ferry extended Saints’ lead to three.

Saints were then met with a particularly impressive attacking spell from Totton at the start of the second-half, with Adam Tomasso’s corner meeting a free-header inside the box which couldn’t quite find the back of the net.

After an end-to-end opening ten minutes to the second-half, Trialist 1 got his second and Saints’ fourth goal of the evening with a lovely solo effort.

Shorty after Saints were awarded a free-kick in a very dangerous position but despite his best efforts, Trialist 2 couldn’t get the ball up and over the wall to get the goal.

Horseman made a whole host of substitutions upon 60 minutes with Jayden Smith, Samuel Bellis, Benni Smales-Brathwaite and Teddy Davey all entering the field of play.

After the substitutions, Totton were awarded a penalty and as Hall went the wrong way, Craig Feeney found the back of the net for the hosts.

The goal ignited Totton back into action, with Griffin firing a shot towards goal just moments later but Hall was there to safely claim the ball for Saints.

With just 15 minutes left to play at Snows Stadium, Ferry found himself in plenty of space on the edge of the box but his shot dribbled wide.

Conceding another corner, Hall was forced to make an impeccable save as the ball was fired towards him at point-blank range.

With less than ten minutes to go, Ferry was brought off as Romello Mitchell entered the pitch once more.

Totton nearly pulled another goal back as the game drew to a close, hitting the half-volley but the ball dribbled just wide of the post.

With Jordan Ngalo brought down on the edge of the penalty area, Totton were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous positon but a strong punch from Hall cleared Trialist 3’s shot.

Totton, ever-threatening from the set-piece, launched another corner into the box with Hall once again having to make a vital save.

Next up for Horseman’s side is an away trip to Salisbury next Tuesday, as they continue their pre-season preparations.