AFC Totton
ASH CLARKE COULD BE in contention for a place in AFC Totton’s squad for the Boxing Day clash at Winchester City in the Southern League Premier Division South.
Having featured twice from the bench late in the 2023/24 season for Jimmy Ball’s team during his first loan spell with the club, the 19-year-old striker made his first return to the Snows Stadium in mid-September wearing the red-and-black stripes of AFC Bournemouth when his brace fired The Cherries to a 4-1 victory in the Second Round of the Servio Hampshire Senior Cup.
Within a fortnight, he was back in the Royal blue of AFC Totton and he featured six times for The Stags throughout October – including two starts – and went on to contribute goals in the league wins over Hanwell Town (pictured) and Taunton Town.
He was then pressed into Development Squad duty by his parent club and featured for them as recently as last weekend. But with the necessary paperwork having been completed before Christmas Eve, the young striker will be among the attacking options available to Jimmy Ball as his team look to extent their unbeaten league run to eleven games at the home of their Hampshire neighbours.
The AFC Totton boss commented:
“Ash did really well for us earlier in the season. We’re blessed to have several very strong attacking options but Ash’s pace, directness and willingness to take players on added that little something different last time, and I think the fans were really warming to him.
“Getting him back now is a terrific Christmas present for the whole squad, and hopefully he’ll be able to pick up where he left off a couple of months ago and help us to make a strong start to 2025.”
Remember – the match at Winchester City kicks-off at 1:00pm.
By Ben Rochey-Adams
Image courtesy of Harvey Gerring
