AFC Totton
VENUE:
Privett Park, Privett Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 3SX
THE STAGS TRAVEL DOWN THE M27 for derby day against Gosport Borough on Friday night, looking to extend a six-game unbeaten run in the Southern League Premier Division South.
Last time out, a young Stags side played against AFC Stoneham at the Snows Stadium in the Second Round of the SDFA Southampton Senior Cup. Despite The Purps dominating the first half, a developmental Totton side clawed it back, and took the game to penalties, which Stoneham won 5-4.
The match sees a quick return to Privett Park for new Stags goalkeeper Ryan Gosney, who was on-loan with Gosport from Salisbury, shortly before signing permanently with AFC Totton. Mike Carter, Joe Oastler, Charlie Kennedy, Luke Hallett, Ethan Taylor and Tony Lee have all spent time with the Portsmouth-based club, too.
GOSPORT BOROUGH – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:
Unlike last season, when Gosport spent the majority of their time in the Play-Off places, the opposition find themselves in a tricky spot in the league, sitting in 15th place after playing 12 games. Boro’ began the season with two losses, one at home to Frome Town (0-1) and the other at Hungerford Town, where they got smashed 2-5.
Their next eight games came without defeat, including league wins against Winchester City and Tiverton Town, two Emirates FA Cup victories against Andover New Street and Gloucester City (in a replay), as well as draws with Sholing, Basingstoke Town and Merthyr Town. This streak came to an end at Wimborne Town, when they lost 0-1 in the league.
The run in the FA Cup continued after they knocked out Oxford City – a genuine “cupset” by virtue of their 3-2 away win at the National League North side’s RAW Charging Stadium. Gosport need penalties to get past Poole Town in Third Round Qualifying for the Isuzu FA Trophy, but their FA Cup run came to end at the Fourth Round Qualifying stage when they lost 1-4 to Wealdstone of the National League.
Boro’s league form has improved during the course of their last five games, with wins against Swindon Supermarine, Taunton and Poole, together with a draw against Walton & Hersham. Sandwiched in those five games, however, was an unexpected home defeat to Marlow, which was the bottom-of-the-table Blues’ first win of the season.
LAST FIVE: GOSPORT BOROUGH
Walton & Hersham (Away) | SLPDS | Drew 2-2
Swindon Supermarine (Home) | SLPDS | Won 3-2
Marlow (Home) | SLPDS | Lost 0-1
Taunton Town (Home) | SLPDS | Won 5-1
Poole Town (Away) | SLPDS | Won 3-1
LAST FIVE: AFC TOTTON
Plymouth Parkway (Away) | SLPDS | Won 2-1
Gloucester City (Home) | SLPDS | Drew 1-1
Taunton Town (Home) | SLPDS | Won 5-1
Dorchester Town (Home) | FATr1 | Won 1-0
Marlow (Away) | SLPDS | Won 2-0
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
Our records go back to the 1992/93 season, since when there have been 50 matches between these two sides. Totton have won 19 of those encounters, with Gosport winning 13 and the other 8 ending in draws.
Last season’s meeting at Privett Park took place at the end of September and ended in a 0-2 defeat for The Stags. A long-range Sam Magri missile ensured the points were shared in the return match at the Snows Stadium in January.
STAGS RADIO:
If you are unable to make it to Gosport on Friday night, don’t worry – you can listen in to all the action by heading over to our official X account for LIVE coverage of the game from StagsRadio. Commentator Josh Cole will be on-hand to bring you all the action, with the pre-match build-up starting at 7:30pm.
By Joshua Cole and Malcolm Tombs (Club Historian)
