HEAD coach Lee Burch reckons AFC Totton manager Steve Hollick will have an easier than expected task selecting his team for Saturday's Southern One South & West fixture at Slimbridge.

Unfortunately most of the fringe players handed the chance to showcase themselves in last night's Hampshire FA Senior Cup second round tie at AFC Stoneham failed to do so as the Stags exited the competition 3-0 against the on-song Sydenhams One underdogs.

Totton felt aggrieved to have a handball decision given against them, allowing Stoneham’s Dave Reading to beat young debut-making ’keeper Kieran Green from the spot.

But even Burch admitted there was nothing fortunate about Stoneham’s victory as they went on to double their lead with a Tom King strike from just inside the box.

Totton hit the bar twice before Jake Rawkins collided with the goalpost and went off for treatment, leaving them down to ten men having made all three substitutions.

Stoneham overpowered them in the final minutes with Reading skilfully dribbling round Green for a stoppage-time third.

Burch, who is currently on crutches, admitted: “Those 90 minutes were probably more painful than the leg break.

“We did take the Hampshire Cup seriously but we also understood that there were players who needed a game. It was nothing to do with Stoneham being a Wessex One side, we would have played that team even if we’d been playing Wessex Premier or Southern League opposition.

“Even though we did rotate, we still felt that side was 100 per cent good enough to win the game but unfortunately we fell below standard.

“Take nothing away from Stoneham, they deserved to beat us and we have to make sure that we push on now.

“Fans want to see us play the young guys and give people chances, but it doesn’t always happen that they step up and take those chances.

“These lads have played well in previous games but it didn’t happen last night and it’s probably made Steve’s team selection a bit easier for Slimbridge.

“We’ve been doing well and showing some sort of form in the league and I’d imagine he’d go back to where we were for the Tiverton game (a 2-2 draw last Saturday).

Nathaniel Sherborne and Dave Allen should hopefully be fit for selection on Saturday, but Mark Lilley is still sidelined and the club are monitoring young Rawkins who thumped his head on the post.