Totts stay patient to defeat Clean Slate

Totternhoe returned to winning ways with a comfortable 2-0 home victory against Clean Slate.

The hosts dominated the game from start to finish but found it hard to break down a stubborn Clean Slate early on as Aiden Murray hit the crossbar twice, with Dan Lambeth also denied by the woodwork.

The second half was a game that was played in the Clean Slate half of the pitch but the home side still struggled to open the scoring.

Joel McCormick came the nearest 20 minutes from time when his close range effort was superbly saved by Jamie Gibson.

With the game seeming it would end in frustration for the Totts, they finally found he net on 81 minutes as Murray’s corner was met by Lambeth, whose header crashed off the bar only for the rebound to be nodded in by Wayne O’Connor.

The goal deflated the visitors and Totts’ class showed in the last 10 minutes and they wrapped up the game with a wonderful goal.

Murray picked the ball up on the left hand side before running at the Clean Slate defence weaving his way through two tackles.

He then had the awareness to scoop the ball over the visitors central defenders for Lambeth to spectacularly scissor kick home from 15 yards.

Boss Chris Robson said: “After last week’s defeat it was important we got our title challenge back on track as I feel anymore slip ups would make the championship almost impossible for us.

“I wanted a reaction after last weeks defeat and I was so pleased with the players. I was pleased with how we kept going right until the end, as frustration can get the better of you in these sort of games.

“Clean Slate came to defend for 90 minutes, and I do give them credit as they did it superbly.

“They made it difficult for us to break them down, and frustrated us. I spoke to the players at half time about being patient, not letting frustration take over, stay calm, and stick to the game plan.

“We did that and eventually got our rewards. The last 10 minutes I changed the formation and went out all attack and in the end is was a bombardment on their goal.

“Thankfully we got the important goal, and then the second goal showed the ability we have in the squad as it was a brilliant goal.”

The win moves the Totts, four points clear at the top of the table although second place Thame Rangers still have four games in hand.

Totts host Unite MK this weekend.

>> The 61 FC (Luton) lost 2-0 at home to Grendon Rangers and travel to St Neots Town Reserves this weekend.

Crawley Green were at Biggleswade United last night and visit Holmer Green on Saturday.