The atmosphere and temperature is going to be red hot at the Snows Stadium this evening as AFC Totton play host to Dorchester Town.
Successive second place finishes in the Pitching In Southern League Premier South have left the home side hoping that there will be no repeat of last season when they fell at the play-off hurdle.
Last term they accumulated 81 points, whereas this time around they finished on 88 points, three shy of Champions, Merthyr Town, who they pushed all of the way.
“After last season’s disappointment, the group has been extra focussed and determined that we will go all of the way this time around,” said Luke Bennett. “We know that it will be a challenge, Dorchester Town are going to be a tough opponent, but we’re confident in the work we’ve been doing leading up to tonight’s game.
“If you look at the entire body of work we’ve produced over the course of this season, I think the team can be proud and we go into the play-offs in confident mood and on the back of a couple of good results. Obviously we are disappointed that we couldn’t win the title, but congratulations to Merthyr Town as they are worthy winners.
“I’ve been pleased with how things have gone for me generally. My start to the season was slightly hampered by injury and then I dislocated my shoulder against Taunton Town, but I think that overall it’s been a very productive campaign.
“As well as chipping in with a number of assists, I’ve also been able to play in a number of different positions to help the team. Having been a bit in-and-out last season, it’s been nice to secure my place in what is a good group.
“It’s certainly been an exciting contest in the Premier South with a competitive edge to all of the games. As a player it keeps you on your toes and this level of football just keeps improving year after year.”
Fellow Luke, Hallett, agrees. “There can’t be many Leagues in the non-League pyramid as challenging as this one,” he added.
“Looking at the make-up of the Premier South at the start of the season with the quality of the new teams that were coming into it, we knew it would be extremely tough, so to sit here with seven more points than we had at the end of last season shows the progress we have made.
“We were able to add extra quality to our ranks and we’ve always had belief in our ability. Now we have to take this into this evening’s game. Dorchester may have finished a few places and 13 points below us, but they only lost five of their 42 League games.
“They are notoriously hard to break down and beat, so we will have to be at our very best to get the outcome that we want.
“The play-offs are always an exciting spectacle and we’re really looking forward to it and making home advantage count.
“For me this season has been up and down with injuries and not playing as much as I would have liked, but the squad works well together and I am ready to step in and play my part.”
Wednesday evening’s play-off semi-final fixtures are, as follows:
Premier South: AFC Totton v Dorchester Town | Walton & Hersham v Gloucester City
Premier Central: Kettering Town v Harborough Town | AFC Telford United v Halesowen Town
Division One South: Evesham United v Exmouth Town | Bishops Cleeve v Malvern Town
Division One Central: Berkhamsted v Hadley | Flackwell Heath v Barton Rovers
IMAGE: Martin Pearce
Most clubs are looking for volunteers. Find out more on the button below:
www.PitchingInVolunteers.co.ukAll the news and results in one place.
REGISTER