AFC Totton
Venue:
Ian Moorcroft Stadium, Ladysmead, Tiverton, Devon EX16 6SG
Book your Coach Ticket online today to come and support The Stags in Devon; Match Tickets are only available on the gate at the venue (Cash Only).
AFC TOTTON AND TIVERTON TOWN’S much-delayed first meeting of the 2023/24 season will finally take place when The Stags make the 215-mile roundtrip to the Ian Moorcroft Stadium at Ladysmead in Devon this Saturday.
The Gold Army, who finished 12th in the Southern League Premier Division South last season, currently languish in the relegation zone, keenly aware that their nearest and dearest divisional neighbours at Plymouth Parkway have six games in-hand with which to capitalise on the Goal Difference advantage they already hold over Manager Leigh Robinson’s team.
Tivvy have notched seven league wins to date this season, the most impressive of which – on paper, at least – are their 4-0 thumping of Sholing at the Imperial Homes Stadium in November, and the 4-2 home win over Poole Town at the end of January. They have won three of their last 12 league games, drawing five and losing four.
In their most recent outing, Tiverton did to Swindon Supermarine what The Stags did to Walton & Hersham on New Year’s Day; while seemingly heading for a 0-2 away defeat, they suddenly spurred themselves into late action to snatch a draw with two goals in stoppage time, the second an unfortunate own goal from Swindon defender Sam Turl.
Tiverton’s top scorer is 24-year-old midfielder Jack Rice-Lethaby, who has 12 league goals to his name so far this season. His dozen successful strikes include a brace in their most recent win, a 3-2 success in February at Hendon – one of his former clubs, while a loanee from Truro City. He has also represented Taunton Town and Willand Rovers, from whom he returned to Tiverton in the summer having begun his non-league football career at Ladysmead in July 2019. According to his profile on the Transfermarkt website, Rice-Lethaby can play on the right of midfield or through the middle.
Tiverton’s interest in the Emirates FA Cup was ended by Wimborne Town at the First Round Qualifying Stage, while it was Swindon Supermarine who dumped Tiverton out of the Isuzu FA Trophy in a Third Round Qualifier in October. Their participation in the Devon St. Luke’s Challenge Cup, which Tiverton have won 10 times since their first success in 1991, was ended in the Second Round by Newton Abbot Spurs of the South West Peninsula League Premier Division East.
Totton now rival Hendon as the division’s draw specialists, having tied more than a third of their league games this season, while maintaining an unbeaten run that now extends to eight games, with only one defeat in their last 17 league outings.
Speaking of draws, this YouTube video provides highlights from an entertaining 2-2 draw between the two sides at Totton’s ground in October 2015, featuring some familiar names on the pitch and at least one familiar voice close to the microphone – and a stonewall Stags penalty in the second half!
Gosport Borough’s 1-2 defeat at home to Poole Town on Wednesday night – courtesy of a winning goal from agent Jake Scrimshaw, who has already turned out for Totton, Gosport and The Dolphins this season – has made the Promotion Play-Off picture a lot less clear cut than it used to be, with teams now approaching the back straight of a long, arduous season that has frequently produced unexpected results.
As Jimmy Ball stated after last weekend’s underwhelming win at Didcot Town, results are all that matter at this stage of the season and both teams need the points on Saturday.
If you would like to join AFC Totton on their travels, you can book your Coach Tickets online; Match Tickets are only available on the gate at the venue (Cash Only).
By Ben Rochey-Adams
