Match Preview

On Saturday we make the long trip to Hampshire to play AFC Totton in the Evo Stik League South West.

AFC Totton vs Bideford
Evo-Stik League South West
Saturday 21st October 2017
3:00pm kick off
Testwood Stadium, Totton

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
Testwood Stadium
Salisbury Road
Totton
Southampton
Hampshire
SO40 2RW
Tel: 023 8086 8981
Web: http://www.afctotton.com
Twitter: @AFCTotton

Form Guide
After a difficult 2016/17 AFC Totton have had a decent start to the season. The Stags have already amassed half as many wins as they managed last season as a whole and sit in 7th position (W5 D1 L4). Most recently they drew 1-1 at Taunton Town in the FA Trophy before narrowly losing out in the replay and last time out they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Cinderford Town.

AFC Totton’s last six (WDWDLL)
14/10/17 Cinderford Town 1 AFC Totton 0 (League)
10/10/17 AFC Totton 1 Taunton Town 2 (FA Trophy PRr)
07/10/17 Taunton Town 1 AFC Totton 1 (FA Trophy PR)
03/10/17 Winchester City 1 AFC Totton 4 (League Cup R1)
30/09/17 Wimborne Town 1 AFC Totton 1 (League)
26/09/17 AFC Totton 2 North Leigh 1 (League)

After the disappointment of suffering three cup exits in a week, Bideford have bounced back with two league wins over Cirencester Town and Bishop’s Cleeve. Tuesday’s late night win at Bishop’s Cleeve came at a price as both Ben Seymour and Craig Veal were sent off but both will be available for this game before their suspensions begin. Craig Duff should be back in contention after injury while Sean Downing is likely to miss out. Bideford have climbed to 9th in the division (W5 D0 L3).

Bideford's last six (WLDLWW)
17/10/17 Bishop’s Cleeve 1 Bideford 2 (League)
14/10/17 Bideford 3 Cirencester Town 0 (League)
07/10/17 Moneyfields 4 Bideford 2 (FA Trophy PR)
03/10/17 Bideford 2 Taunton Town 2 (League Cup R1) *Taunton won on pens
30/09/17 Haringey Borough 4 Bideford 1 (FA Cup Q3)
26/09/17 Bideford 1 Bodmin Town 0 (FA Cup Q2r)

Most recent previous meetings:
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)

Last season the sides played out two draws in the league. Firstly a goalless draw at the Sports Ground in December and then a 3-3 draw at the Testwood Stadium in April after the first attempt to play the game ended in abandonment due to heavy rain. Bideford produced a dramatic comeback to snatch a point with Sean Downing and Dan Western both scoring in injury time to add to an earlier strike by Chris McPhee.