AFC Totton
MATCH PREVIEW: SHOLING FC
AFC Totton bring their pre-season schedule to a close on Saturday afternoon as they welcome local rivals Sholing to the Snows Stadium for the second leg of the Mally Thomas Cup.
The opening meeting between the two sides earlier this month ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Mortgage Decisions Stadium. Vaughn Covil cancelled out Tommy Willard’s opener before Tony Lee put the Stags in front after the break, only for Tommy-Lee Higgs to equalise late on and leave the tie finely poised heading into the return fixture.
With the 2026/27 National League South campaign now just around the corner, Saturday’s contest represents Scott Rendell’s final opportunity to fine-tune his squad before the league season gets underway. After another productive pre-season, the Stags will be looking to end preparations on a high in front of their home supporters and lift the Mally Thomas Cup.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Meetings between AFC Totton and Sholing are always keenly contested, with the two Hampshire neighbours sharing a long-standing rivalry stretching back through their Wessex League and Southern League days.
Since the 2004/05 season, the clubs have met on 23 previous occasions prior to this summer’s opening-leg draw, with Sholing holding a narrow advantage overall. The sides have also produced several memorable encounters over the years, including the Stags’ 3-1 Hampshire Senior Cup Final victory at St Mary’s Stadium in 2011 and last summer’s 1-0 pre-season success at the Mortgage Decisions Stadium courtesy of Malachi Linton’s goal.
With local bragging rights, the Mally Thomas Cup and final preparations for the new campaign all on the line, another competitive derby is in prospect at the Snows Stadium.
Preview by: Adi Rose
