AFC TOTTON’S trip to Bashley on Saturday has a whole new aura about it now that the New Forest club have got their first point on the board – six months into the season!

After 26 straight defeats in the Southern One South & West, Bash propelled themselves into the media spotlight on Tuesday when they finally broke their duck with a 0-0 home draw against Mangotsfield United.

The Foresters are still rooted to the bottom of the table, a massive 20 points adrift of safety and with an eye-watering goal difference of -115.

They have not won a league game since September 2014.

Totton boss Steve Hollick, a former Bashley man, said: “It was only a matter of time before they got a point or a win. People forget they beat Cinderford in the FA Trophy earlier in the season.

“Bashley might not have experienced Southern League players, but they’re a young, hard-working team who fight for everything and we’ve got to make sure we go there with the right attitude.

“I believe Joe Prodomo is back there and he’s a very good goalkeeper. It used to be me, him and Elmo (David Elm) down there with the goalkeeping coach Clive Saunders.

“Tom Prodomo (Joe’s brother) is doing a good job as manager.

“I’m chuffed for Bashley, I still hold them in high regard. They gave me the opportunity to play senior football and I still love them as a club.

“But I’m manager of Totton and my lads have got to go there and be professional.”

After two weeks without a game, the 12th-placed Stags are champing at the bit to play again. Following the trip to Bashley Road, they head for Shortwood United on Tuesday (February 23).

“We’ve had a couple of games cancelled and now we’ve got a couple in quick succession which will be good for us,” said Hollick.

“There’s still a bit of a doubt over (left-back) Marc Diaper who needs to see physio Dave Penny and Burchy (Lee Burch, head coach) has had an operation on his ankle and isn’t mobile at the moment. Other than that, we’re firing on all cylinders.”