Saturday, December 14 . Ian Moorcroft Stadium . 3pm
Tiverton Town v AFC Totton
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South
WITH an embarrassment of riches on the field and serious investment off it, it would be fair to say that AFC Totton's ambitions are much higher than the league in which they currently compete.
The recruitment of striker Charlie Austin in the off-season was a massive statement signing and, if you factor in the additional firepower, of ex-EFL forward Scott Rendell and probably the most prolific striker in the division over recent years in Tony Lee, the intention to move into the National League is clearly the aim for the Stags.
Fifteen places separate Tiverton from our second-placed visitors, but, as we know from the unpredictable nature of this division, the result is far from being a foregone conclusion. The last time the Yellows were in action, they upset the odds when they edged out Walton & Hersham, who arrived at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium in fourth position but succumbed to a 1-0 defeat.
Rob Dray’s men begin this game on the back of two victories against top-half opponents and a chance to pit their wits against favourites for promotion should inspire and motivate, rather than be a daunting task.
Coming into contention for a starting place will be new signing centre-back Toby Down, who returns to Ladysmead after two years away at Plymouth Parkway and then, at the start of this campaign, Taunton. Josh Jones may also be available for selection after injury, and Niall Thompson and Asa Hall will be back in the frame after suspension.
Joe Parker is beginning to find the net again and the introduction of Nat Jarvis, Marcus Day and Toby Down into the dressing room will allow Rob Dray and his coaching team to put their own stamp on the squad and how we set up to play. Bristol City prospect Joe Duncan’s assured displays in goal continue to impress.
Our visitors from Hampshire are managed by Jimmy Ball, son of legendary 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball. Totton’s boss has an array of non-League talent to choose from.
Declan Rose, a mainstay of Poole’s defence in recent campaigns, moved to the Snows Stadium this term, and Harvey Rew was recruited from league rivals Gosport in the summer. The highly-thought-of 22-year-old defender is part of a talented and experienced group of players.
Joe Oastler, who played more than 100 times for Torquay in EFL League Two and was also a pro with Queens Park Rangers, operates as a centre-back these days. Previously a midfielder, 34-year-old Oastler’s non-League career is equally as impressive. The former Havant & Waterlooville captain is an inspirational figure for the Stags.
Tom Blair is a gifted midfielder who many will recognise from his performances against us for Dorchester, although he has only just returned to this level of football, after playing in National League South for Eastleigh, Weymouth and Dorking over the past four seasons.
There is no doubt that there will be plenty of eyes on the former Premier League striker Charlie Austin, whose goalscoring feats saw him called up to the full England squad on a few occasions.
Rob Dray, for one, is delighted the player who shot to prominence after a prolific spell with Poole at the start of his career, will be lining up against his players in powerful Totton side.
He said: "It's fantastic that he's chucking a bit back into non-League. I think it's great for great for this level of football that he's playing. Hopefully, it'll encourage a few more people to come and watch.
"These are the sort of games that you want to be involved in. I've had plenty of big games in the last five or six years and I enjoy them. I enjoy playing against good managers; good players; clubs with a big following, with a big resource center."
The Executive Committee this week unveiled ambitious plans for a 3G pitch as a community-based initiative. This project will be beneficial for the club and the community as a whole and, with the Taunton derby on the horizon, it would be good to see lots of support for the lads on Saturday.
Saturday's game is being sponsored by a group of Yellows' supporters in memory of Richard Lough. Richard was a teacher at Halberton Primary School and Saturday's mascots are from that school.
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