TOTTON LEAVE OPPONENTS FEELING BLUE
F.C Blues 1 V 4 Totton Town
Daniel Gain 1, Mike Smith 1, Liam Hanlon 1, Adam Mallett 1
MOM-Mark Olsen
Totton visited FC Blues today knowing last season they lost 3-2. The away team were determined history was not going to repeat itself and with a new found confidence Totton showed character to widen the gap after Blues pulled 1 goal back to make it 2-1.
The opening goal came from a a Daniel Gain solo effort with a strike just outside the box.. Totton worked hard today winning individual battles in every postion. Gain moved onto the left side of midfield and continued probing at the Blues fall-back. It was business as usual for Pat Hardie and Adam Mallett playing together and keeping things nice and tight. Liam Hanlon played on the right hand side of midfield and asked questions of Blues left fallback throughout the game. The discipline started from the back with flawless defending from Luke Jerram, Aaron Froukhians, Sam Payne, Mark Olsen, and Leathen Hanlon.
Mike Smith rubbished claims that ''white men can't jump'' by leaping for a cross and brilliantly headed the ball past outstretched Blues keeper to make it 2-0 Totton Town! Smith's partner upfront was Luke Charles who looked menacing and created some good chances for the team. Luke was unlucky not to score today. Here are his comments on todays performance, ''Alllllberrrrrrrrrt''
FC Blues pulled a goal back with 20 minutes left of play and Totton had to dig deep and prepare for a storm that appeared to be brewing. Relief was at hand in the shape of Liam Hanlon's brilliantly composed effort from outside the box. Liam beautifully placed the ball past moody Blues keeper to settle the match. Three substitutions were made by Glenn Baker today which saw Mat Froukhians come on for Pat Hardie in the centre of midfield to maintain a tight ship. Mike Smith stepped down for the lively Max Kennard who made some promising runs and was unlucky not to score. Luke Charles was given time for Daniel Hanlon who rushed to right midfield and made the Blues fallback work that little bit harder. D. Hanlon missed a penalty won by Liam Hanlon. In the closing minutes Totton scored another set piece and Adam Mallett climbed highest to meet the ball with a fantastic header that was more than worthy of a goal. 4-1 to Totton Town.
6 MINUTES FROM VICTORY
SUNDAY SENIOR F.A CUP - FIRST ROUND
Totton Town 2 V 4 Knighton Arms
Liam Hanlon 1,Daniel Gain 1
MOM-Daniel Gain
The much-anticipated David and Galiff encounter proved more like a contest between The Terminator and Glenn Baker.
You really couldn’t call it.
Totton headed into the game on the back of three disappointing performances.The home team lived up to the occasion and looked solid from the kick off. Knighton Arms found it difficult to play football, Totton were holding their own all over the park. Liam Hanlon and Luke Charles started lively in the early minutes, shrugging their man markers off the ball and linking up well with Dan Gain and Pat Hardie in the midfield. The spine of Totton looked impressive with Mat Froukhians and Sam Payne displaying commanding qualities that lifted the rest of the team. All of a sudden Totton looked to be asking questions of Kighton Arms. Liam Hanlon intercepted a wayward pass from a central defender and slotted the ball nicely past the keeper. Knighton Arms had a game on their hands. The qualities of the opposition were beginning to show with Knighton equalising just before half time.
The game swung Knightons way after the break as their superior fitness stretched Totton to the limit. Twenty minutes from time Totton were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Daniel Gain stepped up with a trademark strike swerving the ball past the well-built Knighton wall and left the keeper rooted like a weed. Totton were minutes from the second round. Six minutes from time Knighton won a penalty that was converted, Totton were devastated. To make matters worse another penalty was awarded to Knighton this finished Tottons hopes with 3 minutes from time. The last nail in the box was banged in 1 minute from time and Totton were heart broken. Totton looked like a ‘’team’’ today, players were working for each other and the ball was hunted down. Glenn Baker was proud of his teams performance. ‘’We’ve been going for just under one and a half seasons. Last year we were hammered by City Central, this year we played a side who beat City and we were 6 minutes from winning. As long as you’re progressing you always have something to work with. And do I look like a geezer who would work with nothing, thats right we're progressing.. We’ll be back next season’’
Everyone involved with the club deserves a mention after such a memorable performance. Max Kennard was a runner for man of the match with some top draw saves. Mark Olsen came on for injuried Sam Payne in the first half and formed a great partnership with Mat Froukhians who displayed the performance of his life. Kevin Booth was brilliant at left back and worked well with Leathen Hanlon on the left. Daniel Gain was man of the match today with a blistering performance topped with a sensational free kick that almost saw his side progress into the next round. Pat Hardie was as dogged as ever in the midfield and took pleasure in disrupting Knighton’s play. Aaron Froukhians and Danny Hanlon were tidy on the right seeing much of the game. Luke Charles and Liam Hanlon worked themselves to a standstill and gave everything. Adam Mallett replaced Aaron Froukhians late in the game and looked more than capable at right back. Hats off to the players who never had their chance today. Michael Smith and Luke Jerram were extremely supportive and their chance will no doubt come with the chairman’s rotation system in favour this season. Buy him a pint and he’ll tell you about it. Make it a Guinness!
TOTTON BRING DOWN THE HOUSE
Manor House 0 V 3 Totton Town
Daniel Gain 2,, Daniel Hanlon 1
MOM-Daniel Hanlon
Totton were back to winning ways today with yet another league victory. It was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken. Totton had to be patient with the first goal of the game coming from substitution Daniel Gain. Glenn Baker changed things around at half time and it turned out to be a great decision with Gain lifting the team and injecting a killer belief into the team’s offensive play. Totton were by no means put to the test today. The toughest challenge proved to be finding composure in front of goal. The 3 goals scored flattered Manor House and Totton need to be a lot more clinical in the cup match this coming Sunday.
Daniel Hanlon was The Man Of The Match today creating countless of opportunities and scoring a brilliantly taken goal assisted by Matt Froukhians with a great run from deep. D.Hanlon had another impressive display on the right and has been awesome all season. The frightening reality for other teams in the league is that his best is yet to come. The defence were solid today and the midfield worked hard. The question that will have to be answered is can Totton produce the same all round performance against Masters at Work. One thing is for certain, Totton need to be punching above their best to beat Knighton Arms in the cup.
SCAFFHOLDERS ERECT TOTTON EXIT .
Totton Town 3 V 5 SM Scaffolding
Leathen Hanlon 1, O.G 1, Daniel Gain 1
MOM-Daniel Hanlon
Totton were knocked out of the Intermediate Hants cup after a shocking display. Their opponents didn't know when to quit and came back from two goals to nil. Leathen Hanlon scored an early headed goal from a Daniel Hanlon cross completing a well worked move. It seemed the nerves would settle and more goals would come. Totton scored a second goal against the run of play which was deemed an own goal. As the game approached half time Totton looked shakey all over the park. The togetherness that has been built up over the past season seems to have disappeared over night. The scaffolders hit back before half time leaving Totton wondering into the break. The talk by chairman Glenn Baker did not have the effect he would have liked as Totton continued to leak two more goals. Daniel Gain took matters into his own hands and placed the ball beautifully round the keeper through a sea of legs from just inside the area. The score was now 3-3. Totton looked to be favourites for the tie. The home team did calve out chances in the closing stages but failed to follow through. SM Scaffolders hit Totton where it hurt in the last minute by capitalising on some outrageous defensive decisions and converting Totton's individual errors into goals. The Scaffolder's went on to net two goals in two minutes. Totton were shattered and completely angered by their lack of team spirit. One good thing to come from the game was scoring and creating some good chances which on another day may have taken Totton to victory. Daniel Hanlon was ever positive with his attack minded runs. However the cracks in the team are beginning to show and no doubt will need Glenn Bakers attention.
BROKEN FACE MULE MAKES DIFFERENCE
Waltham Wolves 0 V 1 Totton Town
Adam Mallett 1
MOM-Liam Hanlon
Adam Mallett scored the only goal of the game with a sensational half volley early on. Mallett's strike ended a well worked move and proved to be the only factor separating the two teams. As a whole Totton were extremely poor and some may say lucky to walk away with three points. Excellent performances from Daniel Hanlon, Max Kennard and Man Of The Match Liam Hanlon was enough to bank the points for the away side. Totton were by no means convincing yet they could have finished the game with more goals. However lack of team play and discipline warranted the league leaders scoring only one goal. Max Kennard stepped in for first choice keeper Luke Jerram. Max showed he hasn't lost any sharpness and played with confidence. As another week has come and gone Glenn Baker stratches his head and will try to sculp an action plan for his sides mysterious dip in form. ''It's a good job we played an average side today. We wouldn't have survived otherwise. Three points is still three points but hell was it an ugly looking three points. Bag it move on!''
TOTTON TEACH MASTERS A LESSON
SUNDAY F.A SENIOR CUP
Masters At Work 1 V 2 Totton Town
L.Charles 2
Mom - Matt Froukhians
Totton progressed into the next round of the cup beating premier side Masters At Work. Luke Charles picked up a brace of the highest quality with two well taken headed goals. Totton had to dig deep in the second half and were more than good enough restricting Masters to one goal. Totton produced the performance of the season today with every player on top of their game. Matt Froukhians was inspirational at the center of defence winning everything that came his way. Defensive partner Sam Payne put in a good display and worked well with Matt. Leathen Hanlon completed his first full game since coming back from his travels and worked well with Kevin Booth on the left. Aaron Froukhians tamed the beast on the right intercepting some promising Masters moves. Daniel Hanlon was as menacing as ever making a number of probing runs at the Masters defense. Daniel Gain took the sting out of the game by holding the ball up in good areas of the field. It was business as usual for Pat Hardie and Adam Mallett in the midfield as they ruined Masters plans. Kevin Booth assisted both away goals providing two crosses of the highest quality for Luke Charles to pounce. Liam Hanlon and Mike Smith slotted in nicely upfront in the closing minutes and helped secure the lead. Totton looked strong in every position and were put at ease throughout the game by Luke Jerram who showed nerves of steel making some vital saves. ''Good hands!'' The result today makes a massive statement and Totton believe their best is yet to come.
Totton 1 v 2 Whitnap
Totton lose out to premiership outfit in a closely contested friendly match.
TOTTON FIND CURE FOR GOAL ITCH.
Totton Town 11 V 2 Itchen Manor
Liam Hanlon 4 L.Charles 3 D.Gain 2 P.Hardie 1 O.G 1
Mom - Adam Mallett
Sunday 7th september 2008
A convincing 3 points were gained on Sunday as Totton sent a strong scent of class throughout the league. Liam Hanlon shifted 4 past Itchen to help mount another league top goal scorer title. Luke Charles has clearly been paying much attention to his strike partner from afar last season bagging a hat trick. Daniel Gain ran the show and picked up a comfortable brace while Pat Hardie opened the flood gates with his first league goal of the season.