AFC Totton defeat confirms Romans relegation fate

City’s relegation from the Enterprise National League South was confirmed this evening following a 2-1 defeat against AFC Totton at the Snows Stadium.

Knowing that anything other than victory would seal their fate City got off to the worse possible start on four minutes when Clarke’s stunning 30-yard shot flew past Harvey Wiles-Richards. Ten minutes later they thought they had equalised. Donovan Wilson sent Scott Wilson racing clear and he rounded keeper Gosney before rolling the ball goalward. Towns’ desperate goalline clearance looked in vain with the ball appearing to have crossed the line but the assistant referee kept his flag down. The Stags took full advantage of this escape two minutes later, Linton letting fly from 25-yards to once again give Wiles-Richards no chance. City reduced the arrears on 34 minutes when Alex Fisher’s 20-yard free-kick went under the wall to leave Gosney stranded.

The second half was largely dominated by the Romans. Joe Raynes saw an early goalbound shot blocked then Scott Wilson’s 55th minute shot was brilliantly saved by Gosney. Wiles-Richards produced an equally fine stop five minutes later from Cordner’s header. The home side were increasingly looking to time-waste at every opportunity which the referee showed no inclination to act upon. And Mr Ouchene further frustrated City when he waved away penalty appeals after Jordan Alves was dragged to the ground by Cordner and Merritt when well-placed to shoot. City continued to throw everything they could at Totton, although it took another fine save from Wiles-Richards to deny Lee as the game reached its closing minutes. With just five minutes additional time City’s race was run and the final whistle confirmed a return to the Southern League after a 19-year absence.