Totton capitulated to an embarrassing 6-0 defeat today at Chesham United as they had no answer to home striker Simon Thomas who completed a second consecutive hat-trick inside a week.

It exposed Totton’s fragile defence and away form which has given boss Steve Riley plenty to think about.

Missing Mike Gosney, pictured right, and Ryan Hill at either end of the pitch, the Stags began with Dave Allen and Richard Gillespie up front but it was Baily Cargill, who slotted into the Gosney role, who almost put his side ahead inside five minutes when his header from a corner was cleared off the line.

Sadly, that was as good as it got for the visitors as Thomas put Chesham ahead on 13 minutes when his cross shot was helped in by a combination of Chris Mason and keeper Gareth Barfoot.

The influential wing back John Kyriacou then had an effort tipped over by Barfoot before, in a rare attack, Richard Gillespie escaped and curled a left footer just wide.

The visitors’ midfield was found wanting again just past the half hour as Thomas made it 2-0 from another scramble and within six minutes it was 3-0 as Chesham again broke through the centre and Inih Effiong made the most of the space to knock in the free ball off the post.

Totton had little chance to shine up front although Cargill had a shot deflected wide and a lob go over and with the last play of the half Gillespie’s shot was blocked.

Any hopes of a comeback disappeared five minutes after the restart as James Potton’s effort was too hot for Barfoot to handle with Thomas following up, although the linesman had already signalled the fourth goal.

Mason was replaced by Jamie Rudd with Dave Allen dropping back but after Cargill and Whisken had both seen efforts saved from corners, Kyriacou again cruised down the line and slung over a cross for Thomas to complete his hat-trick.

Luke Whitley could have done better when he volleyed over from six yards but by then it mattered little as Chesham could afford to take off Thomas to a standing ovation.

Riley made a double change on the hour throwing on Luke Roberts and Matt Oldring but Chesham continued to roar forward and with 15 minutes left Dave Fotheringham’s drive was deflected past Barfoot by the unfortunate Oldring.

Totton’s woe was complete ten minutes from time when Dave Allen was carried to the dressing room.