AFC Totton
ONE MONTH AFTER OUR LAST round-up, it’s time to take account of the latest set of comings and goings at the Snows Stadium.
AFC Bournemouth loanee ASHLEY CLARKE snuck into the club just in time to be included in the previous update. Although The Cherries have recalled him temporarily to feature for their Development Squad, the young striker is expected to return to AFC Totton shortly to continue his loan period.
The signings of defender TEGA AGBERHIERE, experienced midfielder RODDY COLLINS and highly-rated goalkeeper RYAN GOSNEY were all reported in detail as they happened. During that same period, however, three players took their leave of the Snows Stadium.
Goalkeeper JOSHUA GOULD has returned to former club Taunton Town, where his mother is among the staff and volunteers. He made his debut for The Peacocks in a one-all home draw with Bracknell Town on Saturday (02 November 2024) and was then voted Man of the Match by sponsors after keeping a clean sheet in a one-nil away win at Walton & Hersham on Tuesday evening. A change in work circumstances for the rangy shot-stopper prompted him to re-examine his situation and it appears that a move closer to home was the answer.
Among Gould’s new teammates at Taunton is JOSHUA OWERS, who followed him in making the switch from the Snows Stadium to the Cygnet Health Care Stadium after agreeing to have his AFC Totton contract terminated by mutual consent. Although he made seven first team starts from a possible 17 games, the former Yeovil Town midfielder's ability to hold down a regular place in The Stags' line-up was hindered by the automatic three-match suspension he was forced to serve for his red card dismissal at home to Walton & Hersham on the opening day of the season, and the subsequent arrival of Roddy Collins adding to the competition for places.
Having been on loan with AFC Totton from Norwich City at the end of last season, versatile defender MARCEL McINTOSH (pictured above) made his return on a permanent basis shortly into the 2024/25 season. But after failing to settle in the area, his contract was subsequently terminated by mutual consent. He then arrived at Lewes FC in East Sussex in time to help them overcome Ashford United on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the First Round Proper of the Isuzu FA Trophy, before the draw for the next round set-up an early chance to get one over on his former club when AFC Totton go to The Dripping Pan for the FA Trophy Second Round tie on Saturday 16 November.
Midfielder HARVEY REW has joined Horndean on loan. The former Gosport Borough player performed well for the AFC Totton Under-23s but found first team opportunities hard to come by, with just three substitute appearances to his name. A spell with the Isthmian League South Central Division club should help him to increase his minutes on the pitch and continue his player development before a potential return to Jimmy Ball’s squad.
There was a welcome surprise inclusion in AFC Totton’s Development Squad that faced AFC Stoneham in the Second Round of the SDFA Southampton Senior Cup at the Snows Stadium on Monday evening (04 November 2024). Former Stags skipper JACK MASTERTON was named among the substitutes and came on during the second half to play his first competitive game since the 3-0 win over Sholing at St. Mary’s Stadium in the final of the same competition on 17 May 2023. Another player whose availability has been affected by the demands of his full-time employers, Masterton made contact with the club last week asking if he could come back to join in with training, and he was named in the 16-man squad that took The Purples to a penalty shoot-out.
Tega’s brother RUNO AGBERHIERE was also on show in that match. The attacking midfielder has already played a few games for Harry Brookwell’s Under-23s, registering two goals in the 13-0 win at North Waltham in the Hampshire Combination U23 Challenge Cup and also featuring in the 9-0 victory at Christchurch on Wednesday 30 October.
By Ben Rochey-Adams
Image courtesy of Sayers Sports Photography
