AFC TOTTON fans can look forward to a visit from legendary FA Cup giant-killers Hereford United on Saturday week (November 1).
Manager Steve Riley was pleased as punch tonight as the Stags came triumphantly through their FA Trophy preliminary round replay 3-1 against Cinderford Town to book a date with the Bulls.
By Riley’s own admission, Totton had been below par in two previous meetings with Cinderford this season, well beaten 4-0 in the league and lucky to come away from Gloucestershire with a 1-1 Trophy draw on Saturday.
But the real Stags stood up to be counted last night as American midfielder Kyle O’Brien set them on their way with a glorious left-foot volley from a corner with just seven minutes gone.
Nathaniel Sherborne got in behind the defence to double the advantage on 65 minutes before substitute Lorcan Sheehan pulled one back for the visitors eight minutes later.
Totton kept their heads and crowned victory on 87 minutes when Liam Hibberd pulled the ball back for James Jennings to thump into the roof of the net.
It was Cinderford’s first defeat in ten games and stretched Totton’s unbeaten run to five.
“I knew that if we brought our A game tonight we’d have a chance and we did that,” beamed Riley. “We’d seen the best they’d got, but they hadn’t seen the best of us and that was dangerous for them.
“It was a zippy surface, our tempo was good and our work-rate phenomenal. I’m thrilled to bits. “The lads did everything a manager or coach could ask for. I told them to go out, express themselves and enjoy it and it was nice to watch. It gives you a bit of a lift.”
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