AFC Totton travel to the AEI stadium tonight to face off against M27 rivals Gosport Borough in what is a highly anticipated clash.
The match sees a quick return to Privett Park for recent new signing Ryan Gosney who joined The Stags last week following the departure of ever dependable shot stopper Josh Gould.
Gosney will be hoping for a winning return under the lights, keeping his former employers at bay.
The Stags come into tonight’s game looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Southern League Premier South to seven games.
Last time out Jimmy Ball’s side came back from a trip to Berkshire with three points after their 2-0 win over newly promoted outfit Marlow.
Stags boss Jimmy Ball expects it to be a hard game;
”It will be a tough game, they’ve been Jekyll and Hyde some what to be fair, some league form and results head scratchers and some incredible cup performances and I’m sure they’ll get up for Friday night against us like a cup game.”
”I’m sure it’ll be extremely hard like it always is. We’ve got to be strong enough to cope with it and go toe to toe with a really good side.”
The home side come into tonight’s derby off the back of a 3-1 victory away at Poole Town.
Boro’ have had a difficult start to the campaign as they sit in 15th place after twelve games, beginning the season with two losses on the bounce.
This is compared to last season where they spent the majority of the season in and around the play-off places but ultimately falling short against Salisbury in the Play-off semi-final.
Following back to back defeats to start the season, their next eight games came without defeat eventually falling short against Wimborne Town.
Gosport enjoyed an FA Cup run beating National League North side Oxford City 3-2 in what was called as an upset before ultimately being knocked out by National League side Wealdstone.
Last time out between the two sides at Privett Park, Gosport came out on top winning the game by two goals to nil.
