Match Preview

It’s a big game on Saturday as fellow play-off hopefuls AFC Totton visit the Sports Ground.

Bideford vs AFC Totton
Evo-Stik League South – West Division
Saturday 10th March 2018
3:00pm kick off
Sports Ground, Bideford

A Brief History of AFC Totton
AFC Totton were originally founded as Totton FC back in 1886. They were founder members of the Hampshire FA in 1887 and of the New Forest League in 1904. Following World War Two, Totton also played in the Southampton Senior League. In 1975 Totton were amalgamated with Totton Athletic. After winning the New Forest League on seven occasions, AFC Totton became Hampshire League champions in 1981/82 and again in 1984/85. They became founder members of the Wessex League in 1986/87 but it wouldn't be until 2007/08 that they lifted the league title. A year previous to that, they were FA Vase runners-up losing the final 3-1 to Truro City at Wembley. The Stags joined Southern League Division One South & West for the 2008/09 season and finished third. They lost the play-off final to Didcot Town and after finishing runners-up a season later they lost out in the play-offs again, this time to Cirencester Town in the semi final. In 2010/11 AFC Totton were Division One S&W champions and were promoted to the Southern League Premier Division. In 2011/12 The Stags finished a club high of third before losing the play-off final to Oxford City. They also reached the second round proper of the FA Cup where they lost to Bristol Rovers after hammering Bradford Park Avenue 8-1 in the first round. AFC Totton were relegated from the Premier Division in 2013/14 and have since finished 15th twice and last season 19th in Division One South & West.

AFC Totton
Web: http://www.afctotton.com
Twitter: @AFCTotton

Form Guide
After a real struggle last season, AFC Totton are having a very good campaign in 2017/18. They are currently in 7th position (W15 D6 L10) and are right in the play-off mix. The Stags are five points ahead of Bideford but have played four games more. Their recent home form has been a bit mixed but their away form has been fantastic. The Stags are unbeaten in their last nine away games, a run that stretches back to October.

AFC Totton’s last six (LLWDLW)
06/03/18 North Leigh 0 AFC Totton 1 (League)
20/02/18 AFC Totton 1 AFC Stoneham 3 (Russell Cotes Cup SF)
17/02/18 AFC Totton 1 Cinderford Town 1 (League)
03/02/18 AFC Totton 2 Larkhall Athletic 0 (League)
30/01/18 AFC Totton 2 Bideford 3 (League)
27/01/18 AFC Totton 1 Kidlington 3 (League)

Bideford picked up their first win in five games on Tuesday night with a hard fought victory over Willand Rovers in the semi finals of the Devon St Luke’s Challenge Cup. In the league, The Robins have gone four games without a win and have dropped down to 11th position (W13 D7 L7) although they do have multiple games in hand on the teams above them. Due to a number of postponements since December, Bideford now must play at least twice a week until the end of the season in order to complete their fixtures.

Bideford's last six (DDLDLW)
06/03/18 Bideford 3 Willand Rovers 2 (St Luke’s Cup SF)
24/02/18 Bideford 0 Kidlington 4 (League)
20/02/18 Taunton Town 1 Bideford 1 (League)
17/02/18 Cirencester Town 2 Bideford 1 (League)
06/02/18 Bideford 1 Tiverton Town 1 (St Luke’s Cup QF) *Bideford won 5-4 on pens
03/02/18 Wimborne Town 2 Bideford 2 (League)

Most recent meetings:
30/01/18 AFC Totton 2 Bideford 3 (Southern Division 1 West)
11/04/17 AFC Totton 3 Bideford 3 (Southern Division 1 S&W)
10/12/16 Bideford 0 AFC Totton 0 (Southern Division 1 S&W)
28/12/13 AFC Totton 2 Bideford 2 (Southern Premier Division)
20/08/13 Bideford 4 AFC Totton 0 (Southern Premier Division)
19/01/13 Bideford 1 AFC Totton 1 (Southern Premier Division)
29/09/12 AFC Totton 2 Bideford 0 (FA Trophy Q1)
18/09/12 AFC Totton 2 Bideford 0 (Southern Premier Division)

In January Bideford won a rollercoaster encounter 3-2 at the Testwood Stadium. Ben Seymour and Dan Harrison gave The Robins an early 2-0 lead but Totton pulled themselves level before half time. Kevin Squire scored the winner with 17 minutes remaining to give Bideford a big three points.