AFC TOTTON are more convinced than ever that Jamie Austen has the makings of a quality centre-half following a 2-1 friendly defeat at Havant & Waterlooville.
Scoreline apart, just about everything went right for the FA Vase finalists.
They outplayed Ian Baird's Blue Square South title favourites for long periods and had the bonus of another brief run-out for full-back Lee Thorne, back from a 16-month injury lay-off.
The other plus point was a near faultless display from towering 24-year-old Austen, their Wembley captain, who will be dropping into the back four this season from midfield.
"Jamie started at right-back against Havant and then we put him at centre half and he was magnificent," said Stags' assistant boss Sean New, above.
"I'm one of his biggest critics, but if he applies himself like that next season he'll get no complaints from me."
Full story in today's Daily Echo
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