AFC Totton
VENUE:
Penydarren Park, Park Terrace, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales CF47 8RF.
THIS WEEKEND BRINGS a huge clash at the top of the Southern League Premier Division South as The Stags travel to Wales to take on the current league leaders, Merthyr Town.
Last time out, AFC Totton made progress in the Isuzu FA Trophy with a 2-0 away win against Lewes at The Dripping Pan in East Sussex. Goals from Charlie Austin on 51 minutes and Tony Lee shortly before the end saw The Stags safely into Monday’s Third Round draw, which handed them another away tie at Biggleswade Town on Saturday 07 December.
In the meantime, it’s back to the important business of competing for precious league points with potentially one of the more difficult away fixtures of the campaign…
MERTHYR TOWN – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:
The Martyrs currently lead the way in the Southern League Premier Division South with 35 points from 15 matches. After missing out on the Promotion Play-Offs on the final game of last season, they have made a positive start to putting that right this time around.
Merthyr kicked-off their campaign as they meant to continue, with a 6-0 home win over Tiverton Town, and followed that with a 2-0 away win at newly-promoted Frome Town. Game three brought a 2-5 defeat at Walton & Hersham; they bounced back with a 2-1 win over Hanwell Town, but then lost for a second time at Gloucester City by the odd goal in three.
A victory over Cribbs in Emirates FA Cup First Round Qualifying followed, and The Martyrs’ good form continued with a 3-0 win over Sholing 3-0 and a 5-1 defeat of Swindon Supermarine.
Bath City ended Merthyr’s involvement in the FA Cup at the Second Round Qualifying stage, but it didn’t derail their league form, as a goalless draw with Gosport Borough was followed by a 3-1 win over Winchester City and a 6-0 mauling of Wimborne Town.
Third Round Qualifying for the Isuzu FA Trophy brought Merthyr Town to the Snows Stadium in early-October, when Charlie Austin’s 75th-minute strike separated the two sides and extended The Stags’ recent good run against the team from South Wales. Merthyr Town have remained unbeaten since, though, winning four of their last five games before being held to a 2-2 draw at Dorchester Town on Saturday.
Merthyr are the division’s top scorers by some distance, with 47 goals from 15 games. Striker Ricardo Rees leads the Golden Boot race with 19 goals to his name, five goals ahead of the nearest contender, Jack Mazzone of Chertsey Town.
LAST FIVE: MERTHYR TOWN
Marlow (Home) | SLPDS | Won 2-1
Frome Town (Home) | SLPDS | Won 4-0
Plymouth Parkway (Away) | SLPDS | Won 4-2
Havant & Waterlooville (Home) | SLPDS | Won 5-1
Dorchester Town (Away) | SLPDS | Drew 2-2
LAST FIVE: AFC TOTTON
Taunton Town (Home) | SLPDS | Won 5-1
Dorchester Town (Home) | FATr1 | Won 1-0
Marlow (Away) | SLPDS | Won 2-0
AFC Stoneham (Home) | SSC2 | Drew 1-1*
Lewes (Away) | FATr2 | Won 2-0
*AFC Stoneham won 5-4 on penalties
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
There have been eight previous meetings between The Stags and Merthyr Town, dating back to October 2012. Totton have won six, and Merthyr won the other two. Totton come into this game having won the last five consecutive games against The Martyrs, with the last game at Penydarren Park in November 2023 ending in a 3-1 away win for The Stags.
CHARGE!: Joe Oastler, Luke Hallett and Scott Rendell look to attack a set-piece delivery during AFC Totton's 2-0 home win against Merthyr Town in April 2024.
STAGS RADIO:
If you can’t make the long trip to Wales, then you can listen to live commentary on StagsRadio, courtesy of Josh Cole and Benjy Rees on our official X account. The space will go live at 2:30pm, with all the build-up to the big match commencing at 2:45pm.
By Joshua Cole
Image courtesy of Tom McKenzie
