AFC TOTTON boss Steve Riley will be running the rule over former Havant & Waterlooville goalkeeper Tom Taylor in tonight’s home friendly against Sholing Tuesday, 7.30pm).

With Gareth Barfoot and his young understudy Ross Casey moving on to Gosport Borough and Winchester City respectively, the Stags No1 shirt is still up for grabs for the forthcoming Calor Southern Premier campaign.

Taylor started out with Totton’s neighbours BAT Sports (now Totton & Eling) and earned a move to Havant & Waterlooville in 2005/06, becoming third-choice goalkeeper for the Conference South club.

He edged up the Hawks’ pecking order following Gareth Howells’ switch to Eastleigh in 2007 but, despite featuring regularly on the bench as back-up for Kevin Scriven, he made just one sub appearance for the Westleigh Park club.

“Tom got in touch with me out of the blue,” said Riley. “He’s done a few sessions with a couple of clubs this summer (including Winchester City), but he wants to play as high as he can. I’ve not seen much of him, so it will be good to see what he can do tonight.”

With less than three weeks to go before the big Calor Premier kick-off at home to Stourbridge, Riley must start separating the pre-season wheat from the chaff.

Totton’s financial problems mean he has lost the bulk of last season’s squad and is having to sift through trialists galore.

“Last week I had 20-22 players and we’ve got to the stage now where some, unfortunately, are not going to make it,” he said.

“A few of them have been asking for feedback and I’ve got to be honest and decide who can play and who can’t. We’ve got some promising younger lads and I’d imagine one or two more players will come out of the woodwork from other clubs in the next couple of weeks and things will start taking shape.”

No such problems for Sholing who, having voluntarily dropped back into the Sydenhams Wessex ranks, are still blessed with a squad of proven Southern League quality.

The Boatmen continued their pre-season build-up with a 5-2 win at Cowes Sports on Saturday courtesy of Lee Wort (3), Ashley Jarvis and James Thomson, but manager Dave Diaper wasn’t entirely satisfied with the performance.

“I hate conceding goals,” he said. “No matter what level you play, if you give goals away like that, you’re chasing the game.”

Sholing are currently without experienced central defensive duo Lee Bright (heel) and Pete Castle (knee).

“Pete did his playing five-a-side and hasn’t had a training session yet,” Dave Diaper. “Lee’s a bit closer and might have some hope for Friday’s League Cup game against US Portsmouth (home). We’ve been swopping things around with Mitch Fear, Dan Miller and Calum Brockway all playing and we’re lucky that Marc Diaper and Mike Carter can also cover. It’s good to see what we’ve achieved in pre-season without some of our regular players.”

Sholing kick off the Sydenhams Premier season with two home games in four days. They host Romsey next Tuesday and on Friday (August 9) have a rearranged fixture against Bournemouth Poppies whose pitch is not yet ready.

Tonight’s friendlies Tuesday, July 30 AFC Portchester v Broadbridge Heath, AFC Totton v Sholing (7.30), Andover New Street v Hartley Wintney (7.30), Andover Town v Havant & Waterlooville XI, (Sparsholt College, 6.30), Arundel v Romsey Town, Bashley v Verwood Town, Basingstoke Town v Salisbury City, Christchurch v Poole Town, Colden Common v Totton & Eling (7.00), Eastleigh v Woking (7.30), Fareham Town v Chichester City, Farnham Town v Alresford Town XI, Gosport Borough v Portsmouth, Winchester Castle v Alresford Town XI.