It’s the first of four consecutive home games at the Morrow Stadium this Tuesday night as AFC Totton make only their second visit to face the Fleet, writes Libby O’Connell.

Form guide

Another win for the Fleet on Saturday saw them climb another two places in the table, rising to 12th after the trip to Hampton & Richmond Borough. The three points came from a late show as a 2–0 victory extended the Fleet’s unbeaten run.

There were chances created at both ends, with Josh Wright’s side coming particularly close on multiple occasions. However, the action really came in the final 10 minutes, when second-half substitute Ben Chapman saw his shot bounce off the inside of the post and into the net to put the Fleet ahead. Less than five minutes later, fellow substitute Finlay Barnes doubled the lead with a stunning finish into the top corner.

Another three points and another game unbeaten gives the Fleet plenty of confidence heading into Tuesday night’s fixture, particularly as last Tuesday also delivered the first win on home soil.

Totton are 20th in the table, five points behind the Fleet. A strong start saw the Stags take two victories from their opening pair of games, but they’ve struggled to maintain that form since. Their only other league win came in early September, a comfortable 4–1 victory over Fleet’s most recent opponents Hampton & Richmond.

Since then, Totton have endured a difficult spell, losing their last five games. Their current league record stands at three wins, one draw and six defeats from 10 matches. They lost to lower division Gloucester City in the FA Cup and their most recent setback came on Saturday, with a 1–0 home defeat to Walton & Hersham. That followed a 2–0 loss at Dover Athletic at the end of September.

Much of their poor form could be put down to a serious injury crisis at the club. They lost Sol Wanjau-Smith to an ACL injury before striker Tony Lee broke his nose and goalkeeper Ryan Gosney was also ruled out. Two new loan signings were then on the treatment table almost as soon as they’d played their first game, so there has been a lot of comings and goings in the squad already.

Last time out

The two sides met twice in last season’s National League South campaign, Totton’s first ever appearance in the league. The Fleet were victorious on both occasions without conceding a goal.

The away fixture last November was a 2–0 victory, although the result was overshadowed by that serious leg injury to goalkeeper Gio Bellagambi in the first half. Finlay Barnes opened the scoring before Gene Kennedy (above) doubled the lead after the break.

The reverse fixture fell on Valentine’s Day, with the Fleet firing four goals without reply – two more for Finlay Barnes plus strikes from Ben Chapman and Jake Hessenthaler.

Who’s who?

Midfielder Craig Tanner has been with the Stags since January 2025, just weeks after departing the Fleet. Tanner spent three and a half years at Stonebridge Road, making 116 appearances and playing a part in the Fleet’s 2022/23 National League South title-winning campaign. He was the regular chart topper in the assists statistics while at the Fleet. Since joining Totton, he has become an important figure in their midfield, earning the manager’s Player of the Season award in 2025/26.

Tyler Cordner is another familiar name who has spent time with the Fleet. The defender had two loan spells at the club, first in 2019 and then again during the 2024/25 season, making 44 appearances altogether. He joined Totton on loan from York City in summer 2025 before making the move permanent this summer. Cordner made 43 league appearances during his loan spell and has already found the net this season, scoring in Totton’s 4–1 victory over Hampton & Richmond.

Former Totton goalkeeper Matt Hall joined the Fleet in November 2025. The move came just 10 days after he faced Wright’s side while playing for the Stags in November’s fixture. Hall then found himself on the winning side in February, this time in goal for the Fleet with a clean sheet to boot.

The manager

Former Totton frontman Scott Rendell was appointed manager in April 2026 following an interim spell in charge. Rendell joined the Stags as a player in 2022 and scored 28 league goals during their 2022/23 Southern League Division One South title-winning campaign, earning the division’s Golden Boot. Prior to playing for Totton, he spent time at clubs such as Cambridge United, Aldershot, Luton Town, Woking, Maidstone United and Peterborough United. During his time at Totton, Rendell scored 93 goals in 154 appearances.

The referee

Tom Berry makes his first trip to the Morrow Stadium as referee, having been promoted to this level in the summer. He has already refereed Totton, however, in their win earlier this season against Hampton. The Fleet dugout might recognise him, though, as he served as fourth official for our trip to Chesham United last season.

Commentary

Katie Humphris will be making her debut behind the mic as lead commentator in the absence of Charles Webster! Tune in to FleetLive on YouTube here.

Matchday programmes can be reserved here.