RTFC went into Saturday’s game with confidence at an all-time low. The players were still clearly unsure after Bob Lane’s departure and, coupled with a really poor performance against Moneyfields in the week, things didn’t look good as they prepared to face the 2007 FA Vase finalists.
Ringwood made just two changes to the side that started against Moneyfields with Matt Greaves at left back and James Finlay in midfield replacing the unavailable Guy Jones and suspended Nick Howes respectively. Dave Sajic came into the squad having missed the midweek game due to work commitments.
Moneyfields started the game brightly and for the first 10 minutes RTFC couldn’t get near them. The new system employed by Town seemed to confuse one or two players and after 10 minutes Moneyfields had had 3 efforts on goal, some last ditch defending and a quality save from close range being the only salvation for RTFC. However, new manager Jy Taylor, had insisted on a much shorter passing game, requiring confidence from the players and as they began to string one or two passes together it was easy to see that they began to have a bit of belief in what they were trying to do. Andy Wright, so poor in midweek, was strong on the ball and his passing, along with Dan Brunnen and Luke Gogan’s had improved immensely.
As the half progressed RTFC grew into the game and 3 or 4 times made good use of the strength and power of Bellott on the right-wing. He had been asked to get more crosses into the box and within 25 mintues he had already forced in 3 top quality deliveries. On the opposite flank Carl Foster continued to be a strong athlete, winning ball that he had no right to and linking well with Mike Carroll. On 30 minutes a well struck corner from Matt Greaves fell to Carroll on the edge of the bo.x His shot was helped on by Foster but the ball was cleared from the line by a Totton defender. The chance gave Town a lift and they continued to play good football for the rest of the half, dominating the midfield, with James Finlay breaking up every Totton attack through the middle.
Although RTFC were the better side in the first half, Totton did not go without their chances. With Greaves playing in an unfamiliar left back role, Totton sensed his unease and started to hit long, diagonal balls into the spaces behind Greaves. But whilst Totton did create a couple of good positions from these areas, centre halves Kerley and Burrett ensured the Vase finalists didn’t have shots on goal.
The second half started much as the first had finished, with RTFC playing with confidence and Totton, now having brought on a tricky right-wing, trying to exploit the areas behind RTFC’s full back. With the game very even RTFC then suffered a heavy blow on 55 minutes with the sending off of centre-back Simon Kerely for a second bookable challenge. Whilst these were probably the only 2 fouls he committed during the whole game, there was little complaint from the players or the bench. RTFC reshuffled with Andy Wright slotting in a centre half.
The sending off turned the game with Totton visibly boosted and RTFC chasing shadows for 5 mintues. Totton’s right-winger came into the game more and more with Greaves struggling to stop him from putting in crosses. Greaves was replaced on 65 minutes with Sajic and Finlay moved into left back. However within 5 minutes Totton made the breakthrough. Mark Burrett, so strong for the whole of the game, stepped off Totton’s centre forward who was given the time and space to turn and pick out a good pass leaving just a simple strike to make it 1-0.
From that point on RTFC were unable to get out of their half. Totton made good use of the extra player, continuing to attack down the right but Finlay did a magnificent job to stem the flow. With 10 minutes to go the best RTFC could hope for was to knick one against the run of play, however a tired Bellott ran into trouble and got caught in possession, allowing Totton to capitalise on their lead.
2-0 may have been a fair result however the final two minutes saw a terrible refereeing decision allow Totton to score a third and a miss-hit cross from left back sail into the top corner to ensure the score line flattered the victorious Totton.

RTFC: 1.Russell Goodman 2. Dan Brunnen 3.Matt Greaves (sub 14 Dave Sajic 65mins) 4. James Finlay 5 Simon Kerley(R) 6. Mark Burrett 7.Tony Bellott (sub 12 Chris Chilcott 80mins ) 8. Andy Wright 9. Mike Carroll 10. Luke Gogan 11. Carl Foster
Subs Unused – 15 Jy Taylor

report from Jy Taylor