AFC Totton kick off pre-season against Havant & Waterlooville

Pre-season friendly: AFC Totton 1 v Havant & Waterlooville 3

AFC TOTTON made a long-awaited return to action at the Snows Stadium against a Havant & Waterlooville side that typically plays three leagues higher.

National League South's Havant & Waterlooville FC, managed by former-AFC Totton player Paul Doswell, quickly found their feet and, were it not for a decent save from Steve Brookwell, they would have taken an early lead.

The Stags first chance of the game came when former-Blackfield & Langley midfielder Sam Griffin curled a stunning effort towards goal from the edge of the area that forced the Havant keeper into action.

A minute later, Totton’s Ethan Tayler opened the scoring when he picked up the ball on the right before driving towards goal. He unleashed a shot that, after a slight deflection, nestled into the left-hand corner of the net.

Havant levelled the match in the 24th minute when Joe Iaciofano scored his first goal for the club after turning in a low cross that came from the left.

With half-time approaching, Havant was in firm control, and they soon took the lead. A lovely ball down the Havant wing was picked up by their number 10 who found a few yards inside the Totton box before coolly slipping the ball past the Totton goalkeeper.

With 15 minutes left to play, Havant put the game to bed when an unnamed trialist took the ball inside the box before twisting and turning his way past four Totton players before sliding the ball into the far side of the net. The quality of the goal inspired applause from supporters and rivals alike.

Following last week’s announcement from the FA, the Stags allowed 100 supporters to attend the match.