AFC TOTTON kicked off their Southern League Division One South campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Plymouth Parkway, reports Doug Taxil-Webber and Graham Lycett.

Parkway, newcomers to the division, proved tough opposition at Snows Stadium.

However, Totton took maximum points thanks to a Jack Hoey penalty.

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off to remember the people affected in Plymouth after the mass shooting incident a few days earlier.

Totton started the match at a frenetic pace, creating many early chances, including an Adam Tomasso header that went agonisingly wide.

However, the best chance fell to Jordan Ngalo, who thundered the outside of Kyle Moore's post with a sharp half-volley. Parkway came back into the game and saw a Thomas Bath header fly well over after a superb cross.

After Hoey had a strong penalty claim turned away, Totton would win a spot-kick when Hisham Kasimu was brought down by Moore, who had flown out of his goal and was cautioned in the process.

Hoey slotted a powerful penalty beyond him, low to the left of the goal, to give the Stags a half-time lead.

Plymouth started the second period the strongest, forcing Lewis Noice into a bold save before Ngalo was booked for an accumulation of fouls.

Aaron Bentley was booked for the Yellows for a cynical handball, stopping Sam Griffin from progressing into the box, with Parkway registering a flow of corners in response. The away side then had a goal disallowed for a push in the box before River Allen sent a free-kick over Noice’s bar.

Another meaty challenge earned Ben Jefford a late yellow card, but it did not change the direction of the match, with Totton starting the season with a win and Parkway ruing missed opportunities on their long journey back to Devon.

AFC Totton: Noice, Baughan, Zubar, Medway (c), Jefford, Tomasso, Ngalo (Read), Hoey, Taylor (Williams), Kasimu (Feeney), Griffin.

Attendance: 335.