AFC Totton were denied a third consecutive victory as Evesham United fought back to clinch a draw as Adam Mann scored a controversial equaliser.
Mann also opened the scoring for Evesham but his early effort was cancelled out by goals from Nathaniel Sherborne and Nick Watts for Totton.
Despite this it wasn’t enough for Totton in what was a very open and frantic game.
The Stags had an early chance after Watts put Neil Williams in on goal, but he dragged his shot inches wide of the far post in the third minute.
It was an almost identical goal for Totton to equalise – Watts crossed the ball in after a stunning burst of pace down the left wing, and Nathaniel Sherborne was on hand to head the ball in on the back post.
Evesham finished the first half on top when they nearly retook the lead with a free kick from 25 yards out. Nick Stanley took the shot and forced goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe into a diving low save.
The second half started the way the first half finished with Evesham on the attack, but despite their dominance the way side weren’t rewarded with a goal.
In contrast it was AFC Totton who opened the scoring in the second half, again Watts and Sherborne teaming up but unlike the first goal it was Sherborne setting up Watts.
Sherborne picked Watts out with a delightful cross-field ball which split the Evesham defense. The Totton midfielder then slotted it under Kevin Sawyer in the Evesham goal.
Like in the first half the lead didn’t last long, this time Evesham striking back to equalise but it wasn’t without controversy.
A cross from Jacob Sloggett managed to avoid all Totton’s chasing defenders and find Mann who hit a thunderbolt of a shot along the ground which lead to a goalmouth scramble.
Despite Mowthorpe’s best efforts the referee signalled for a goal despite the belief from Totton that the ball hadn’t crossed the line. After the equaliser Totton struggled to regain any control of the game with Evesham having a number of chances.
The best last chance fell to Mann who was denied a hat-trick by man of the match Mowthorpe. The Evesham striker was one on one with the Totton goalkeeper but the striker couldn’t hold his nerve and his timid shot was saved by Mowthorpe.
Totton were able to hold out for an eventful draw ahead of next weeks away trip to Shortwood United.
Taken from http://www.southcoastjournalism.co.uk/30th January 2016 – Charlie Price
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