Totton & Eling (1 - 0) Win City
After Saturday's poor performance City were given a golden opportunity to pull themselves back into the promotion race at Totton and Eling against the bottom of the league without a win this season. Tuesday' night's match, however, saw the home side execute a well thought out plan which City failed to counter.
City dominated play with their football (how many times have we said that?) but totally failed to find the net. Totton and Eling packed their penalty area and City continued to pass the ball about until one of the defenders either got in the way of a shot or cleared as they lost their way. Totton and Eling showed nothing up front and City 'keeper, Gareth Barfoot was hardly called into action. For that matter, Mat Fredericki in the Totton and Eling goal only had two saves to make during the whole match.
City started the match well and Taz Roberts got in an early shot that was just wide and a long range shot from Chris Mason was also wide.
The only other positive goalmouth action of the half saw Zak Glasspool go on a run through the box but he over-ran the ball and the 'keeper cleared and a good move between Roberts and Warren Bentley saw him only manage a soft shot straight at the 'keeper.
At the other end, in a rare Totton and Eling attack Barfoot tipped over a shot.
After a sleep inducing first half the City supporters expected the team to at least revert to the dreaded long ball when needed but the pattern of the first was repeated with lots of City on the ball but a glaring lack of anyone willing to take the responsibility of having a shot from outside of the box.
With City making no progress Manager Paul Masters withdrew Danilo Cadete to give Charlie Smeeton a cameo performance (75th minute) before his red card suspension kicks in and in the 80th minute Liam Robinson replaced Dominic Cope.
After the changes City were caught on the break and Steve Jenkin was given acres of room to beat Barfoot (86th minute) for what was the winner.
With time ticking away City were given another opportunity to grab a point when Totton and Eling's Adam Luther was sent off but the ten men held on for a well earned win.
City: Gareth Barfoot, Adam Tomasso, Dominic Cope, Stuart Green, Jaimie Thoroughgood, Luke Dempsey, Danilo Cadete, Chris Mason, Zack Glasspool, Warren Bentley, Adam Roberts, Micky Hubbard, Daryl Phillips, Charlie Smeeton, Liam Robinson and Ryan Holloway.
