Following an action-packed start to the season, there’s little respite in Southern Premier South as nine games take place tonight.
Merthyr had a dream start on Saturday with a 6-0 win over Tiverton Town. Ricardo Rees and Kane Simpson each scored a hat-trick in Wales. Tonight they’re at Frome Town who also had an eye-catching result – a 1-0 win at play-off semi-finalists Gosport Borough. It extended Frome’s stunning opening day run – the Robins haven’t lost on day one since 2003. Gosport will look to recover tonight at Hungerford Town. The Crusaders were stunned by Chertsey Town on day one, conceding inside a minute in a 4-1 loss to the newly promoted side.
Taunton Town threw away a 3-0 lead against Gloucester City at the weekend to draw. Gloucester host Plymouth Parkway this evening in their first home Step 3 game since 2009, while Town are at Poole. The Dolphins were involved in the only goalless draw in the division on Saturday at Bracknell Town. Bracknell’s first away game is against another side who failed to score three days ago – Hanwell Town opened with a 1-0 loss at Wimborne Town.
AFC Totton shouldn’t have goalscoring issues with former Premier League front man Charlie Austin in their ranks. They make the short journey to Sholing this evening. Both won at the weekend, Totton defeated Walton & Hersham while Sholing’s debutants Dan Fitchett and Charlie Gunson, both signed from Salisbury, were each on target as they came from a goal down to record victory at Swindon Supermarine. The Wiltshire side are away to Basingstoke Town this evening, Town collected three points at Plymouth Parkway at the weekend.
Dorchester will be hoping to heap more misery on Tiverton tonight at Ladysmead. The Magpies picked up a draw against Havant & Waterlooville at the weekend. Like Havant, Marlow are new to this division, albeit via promotion rather than relegation. They’re away to Walton & Hersham tonight.
The remaining two games take place on Wednesday – Havant & Waterlooville v Chertsey Town and Winchester City v Wimborne Town.
Tonight’s fixtures:
Basingstoke Town v Swindon Supermarine
Frome Town v Merthyr Town
Gloucester City v Plymouth Parkway
Hanwell Town v Bracknell Town
Hungerford Town v Gosport Borough
Poole Town v Taunton Town
Sholing v AFC Totton
Tiverton Town v Dorchester Town
Walton & Hersham v Marlow
