With the Step Three playoffs now concluded and promotions confirmed, we take a look at how the Southern League Premier South concluded.
Heavy pre-season title favourites AFC Totton had to settle for second place after an unlikely title triumph for Welsh-based side Merthyr Town. A young Walton & Hersham side finished third, with Gloucester and Dorchester finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
The game of the playoffs undoubtedly came from The Snows stadium and AFC Totton and Dorchester laid on a spectacle for the fans. Dorchester rushed into a shock 0-2 lead after 20 minutes thanks to goals from Luke Pardoe and Luke Roberts. After 74 minutes, the experienced Will Spetch was given his marching orders, but still, the Magpies held firm.
Veteran striker Scott Rendell scored a 91st minute penalty to give the home faithful renewed hope. Striker partner Tony Lee levelled the scores in the 8th minute of added time, with the game seemingly heading for extra time. That was until the 29-year-old made it 3-2 in the 11th minute of time added on, causing pandemonium in the stands. The drama was not finished there as Jack Dickson made it 3-3 in the 14th minute of added time in the most dramatic of fashions.
Extra time saw an attacking onslaught from the hosts who had an extra man but Tom Killick’s side held firm. That was until ex-England international Charlie Austin popped up with a 119th minute goal to send the favourites into the final.
While the other semi-final between Walton & Hersham and Gloucester wasn’t quite as back and forth as the game between AFC Totton and Dorchester, fans still got their moneys worth.
After finishing third, six points ahead of Gloucester, Walton & Hersham were afforded home advantage for the semi-final bout. The Swans raced into a 2-0 lead after just 12 minutes through goals from Pole Dawid Rogalski and Dorking loanee Bobby-Joe Taylor. Joe Hanks halved the deficit before the break, before a Ed Williams goal saw the game go to extra time.
A nervy 30 minutes ensued, meaning penalties had to separate the sides. Wayne Ridgley was the unfortunate player to miss his pen, meaning Gloucester had secured a trip to AFC Totton in the final.
After two dramatic semi-final games, the final was a bit more understated, with Ethan Taylor’s 70th minute strike the difference between the sides, seeing AFC Totton promoted to the National League South for the first time in their history.
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