Match report: AFC Totton beat Chelmsford City 2-1 in National League South

AFC Totton edged out Chelmsford as they bounced back from a midweek defeat on Saturday.

Midfielder Christie Ward got the game’s all-important third goal during the Stags’ 2-1 National League South success at Snows Stadium.

“It was a good win,” reflected Totton boss Jimmy Ball. “It was a tough game, they’re tough opponents and made it hard for us.

“Obviously, scoring a goal and then conceding one straight away, that kind of knocked the stuffing out of us. Had that not happened, I think we would have won comfortably.

“But we saw it out well.”

Totton broke the deadlock as Craig Tanner floated a corner to the far post, with striker Tony Lee scoring his 12th goal in all competitions this season.

While the much-travelled Lyle Taylor flicked a header over goalkeeper Matt Hall to get the visitors back level just two minutes later, 21-year-old Ward then came up with a timely first goal for the club in the 20th minute in front of a 1,364-strong crowd.

He stroked into the bottom corner after away keeper Chris Haigh had spilt Ashley Clarke’s effort.

That was to be the end of the scoring despite Totton missing chances to extend their advantage, while Hall was forced to make a magnificent save to deny the Clarets a late leveller at the other end.

Their triumph came after last Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Bath.

Ball said: “Tuesday night was tough.

“It’s a tough place to go - at any time - but a very tough place to go when we didn’t have a lot left in the tank. We had a few people, carrying a few things.

“In the back of players’ minds is the FA Cup (at Macclesfield this Saturday) we have got coming up. We didn’t play very well on the night but let’s take nothing away from Bath.

“They performed very well and got a deserved win.”

AFC Totton are in FA Cup first-round action at National League North high-fliers Macclesfield this weekend.

AFC Totton: M.Hall, B.Haunstrup (C.Batzelis 37mins), L.Hallett, A.Clarke (M.Linton 84mins), L.Hodson (R.Jackson 72mins), S.Rendell, T.Lee (R.Vigrass 90mins), D.Rose, C.Ward, T.Cordner, C.Tanner (J.Dolling 46mins). Subs not used: L.Bennett, J.Emmanuel-Thomas.