MILLERS NOTCH UP FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON IN SEVEN GOAL THRILLER
Within the opening 5 minutes of this game, Totton and Eling found themselves one nil down. After Whitchurch had floated in freekick, chested down by Chris Long, the ball worked it’s way out to the left hand side of the penalty area where George BISHOP was waiting to turn onto his right foot and smash home into the top corner with a very good finish. Totton responded well though and moments later Kieran Nagle-Kelly pinched the ball back from the hosts in midfield before setting James Matthews away down the right wing, who’s cross was punched to safety by the keeper. Matthews had an opportunity to shoot moments later after Joe Selby had given him the ball, but the shot was well over the bar.
The Millers had a goal chalked off for offside following a Selby freekick that Lycett had turned in. But despite a good response, The Millers would soon find their arrears doubled, when Whitchurch were allowed to much time and space whilst in possession, they made five or six good passes which resulted in a cross coming from the right, and BISHOP poking in the knock down.
A lifeline was handed to The Millers in the 36th minute after Luca Cordeddu was fouled in the area, the referee pointed to the spot and the returning Ash SHERGOLD stepped up and slotted the ball home with a well taken spot kick. And just four minutes later, Totton were back on level terms, when Selby was given the chance to cross into the box, he found A. SHERGOLD waiting to head home as reacted to the ball when the defenders seemed to not. A fantastic return for the Millers hitman. Just before the break, Cordeddu did very well to get past a man on the left hand side and get a shot away, but Ash Downe had a fairly simple save to make. HT 2-2
Totton came out after half time the brighter side, but it was Whitchurch that would create the opening opportunity of the second period. With Corey Cherrett bearing down on goal, Millers keeper Oli Eyres had to be out quick and make himself big, to narrow the angle, and that he did as Cherrett’s shot went straight into Eyres’ chest. As the hour mark approached, Totton seemed to be getting some more joy offensively, with Cordeddu and A. Shergold causing all sorts of problems the ‘Jam Boys’ rearguard and soon enough it would all pay off. After being awarded a freekick around 25 yards from goal, Matt HARTMANN stepped up and curled and unstoppable freekick, around the wall and into the top corner at the near post, a top effort from the former International man.
But Whitchurch weren’t finished themselves and had an equaliser of their own just nine minutes later. Following good work on the right hand side Harry Edmondson was able to get past Liam Botcherby and cut the ball back for Nick YEOMANS to apply the easiest of finishes and to level the game up at 3 a piece. So as the goals came thick and fast, it was in the 76th minute that the eventual match winner was scored. Johnny MacAuley made and intelligent run in between 2 defenders, which caught the eye of Hartmann who played a delicious ball over the top, that MACAULEY watched over his shoulder and first time, guide the ball into the far corner of the net in what was a technically difficult finish to pull off, to restore The Millers lead once more. Whitchurch of course, put Totton & Eling under the cosh for the remainder of the game, but were unable to trouble Eyres, beyond one noteworthy save, which he held well with 6 minutes left of the clock, otherwise Totton saw out the game well and fully earned and deserved the win they got. FT 3-4
It had been a long time coming that The Millers would eventually ‘hurt’ a team and reap some of the rewards of the excellent performances they’ve put in so far this season against the majority of the top 6 sides in this league. A lot of errors had been cut out and the boys looked a lot more assured on the ball and confident in the job they had to do this afternoon. Long may it continue as they worked throughly hard for their win today. Up next for Ben Hillman’s men will be a game against Petersfield Town (Saturday 24th October – 3pm) at Miller Park where we will look to build on this result.
Millers Lineup: Eyres, R. Fear, Botcherby, Nagle-Kelly, Lycett, Da. Gain, Matthews, Hartmann, Cordeddu, A. Shergold, Selby (c).
Subs: L. Shergold, MacAuley, Sanger, Dy. Gain.
Attendance: 50
Adi Rose at Longmeadow
Ash Shergold bagged a brace at Longmeadow.
