AFC Totton’s unbeaten home run came to a halt as they were beaten one-nil by Paulton Rovers.
With five games in hand over top of the table Windsor and Eton, Totton were looking to take full advantage and finish as champions. Totton started brightly and after 12 minutes could have arguably been granted a penalty for handball. A tussle in the penalty box between Paulton defender Ollie Price and Totton striker James Taylor saw the ball bounce over their heads and it appeared to strike his arm on the way down. Instead of a penalty though, the referee awarded Paulton a goal kick.
By all accounts, Totton had the best of the chances in what was a poor first half. The best of these fell in the 26th minute. A throw in caused havoc in the Paulton penalty area with their ‘keeper Kyle Phillips having to dive low to his left to prevent Totton from taking the lead.
The second half started much brighter and after five minutes Paulton took the lead against the run of play. A defensive header out of the Paulton box landed to Rob Claridge who played the ball in to Chris Lane. Lane's run towards goal saw him jink his way through the Totton defense before placing the ball past the reach of Gareth Barfoot.
Totton were keen to respond and upped the pressure on Paulton’s goal. Unfortunately for Totton there was no breakthrough. Heroics from the Paulton defense saw Totton denied two chances to equalise as both efforts were cleared off the line.
Totton’s frustration finally boiled over just before full time. A rash challenge by Ryan Scott on Alex Ball saw Scott see yellow and handbags raised as Totton and Paulton squared up to each other.
Paulton managed to hang on til the final whistle, a result that Totton can only be disappointed with.
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