8:00am Monday 12th March 2012
By Wendy Gee
AFC Totton put a troubled week behind them by rekindling their Southern Premier Division promotion flame at Banbury.
It had been an unsettling few days for the Stags with Tuesday’s shock Red Insure Cup semi-final exit followed by main sponsor Jim Fallon’s very public announcement that he was ceasing his fund ing of the club.
Then on Friday came a moving funeral service for club stalwart Pete Chilcott who died last month, aged 92.
The response from the play ers was magnificent as they dug deep into their reserves of character to clinch a vital 1-0 victory in Oxfordshire.
Ryan Moss’s decisive goal – his first in the league for the Stags – arrived in first-half stoppage time when strike partner Nathaniel Sherborne crossed into the six-yard box and the former Dorchester hitman stretched out a leg to poke the ball against the post and into the net.
It secured the Stags their first win in five league out ings, taking them to within three points of leaders Brackley, who were held 1-1 by another of Moss’s old clubs, Bashley. Crucially Totton have a game in hand.
“It was a great perform ance,” said manager Stuart Ritchie.
“The lads were superb, very professional and very disci plined.
“Our supporters were fan tastic too and gave us so much encouragement to bounce back from some indifferent results.
“It was a bit nervy at 1-0 because of the draws we’ve had lately and Banbury are a team that do very well at home.
“It’s been a tough week, but I told the lads before the game to be professional.
“They get paid by the club and they shouldn’t let things affect them.
“What happens outside the changing room is down to the club, not the players.”
Tomorrow (Tuesday) Totton continue their defence of the Hampshire FA Senior Cup with a semi-final at Blue Square Bet South strugglers Havant & Waterlooville (7.45pm).
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