AFC TOTTON progressed into the quarter-final of the Hampshire Senior Cup with a seven-goal shellacking over East Cowes Victoria Athletic, writes Olly Howard.
Three divisions and 65 places separated the two sides coming into the fixture and the gulf in quality became apparent from the off.
Alfie Stanley broke the deadlock within three minutes, coolly slotting in Jordan Ragguette’s square pass into an empty net before the floodgates opened.
Eighteen-year-old Owen Pelham, a highly rated academy product, doubled the Stags’ tally with an emphatic finish from inside the 18-yard box.
It was the midfielder’s first goal for the club since making his debut away at Portchester last season, and Pelham thanked his academy coaches when speaking to AFC Totton TV.
“I think scoring is the best feeling as a footballer, Scott Rendell and Brett Williams have helped me so much in the academy so I’ve also looked up to them two. We’re in the last eight now so hopefully we can push on and win it!”
The Stags continued to build on their lead following a set-piece situation – Leon Maloney’s inswinging corner was flicked home by defender Charlie Kennedy before Owen Pelham bagged his second of the night.
The teenager’s late arrival into the 18-yard box was not spotted by anyone in red and white, as he fired in Totton’s fourth past East Cowes’ Alex Ram.
The Stags continued to trample over the Vics through Jordan Chiedozie.
Moments after making a mess of an acrobatic bicycle kick attempt, the 29-year-old placed his shot beyond the goalkeeper as Jimmy Ball’s men hit five before the half-hour mark.
To make matters even worse for the Isle of Wight side, a comedy of errors at the back led to an own goal as Callum Chase’s attempted clearance rebounded off of the goalkeeper as the ball trickled into the back of the net.
With the tie put to bed, Totton made three half-time changes. Regular league starters Benny Read, Jordan Chiedozie and Luke Hallett were rested, as Leo Taylor, Remus Nixon and Sam Magri entered the fray.
It seemed as though Ball’s side would continue to show their merciless side through to the second period, as Alfie Stanley struck his second just four minutes into the half.
However, the Stags took their foot off the gas for the reminder of the match, settling for seven and progressing through to the next round.
Despite the routine and fairly effortless performance, manager Jimmy Ball maintained that the tie was important for his players.
“It allowed us to work on some things for the upcoming games – a few people in different positions and a few things that I wanted to hammer home to the players, especially in transition.”
AFC Totton will learn their quarter-final opponents in Monday’s draw, but not before they host Hampshire rivals Havant & Waterlooville in the second round of the FA Trophy this Saturday 18th November.
Photography by Michaela Cater
Stags slaughter Cowes to reach the last eight.
