MANAGER Steve Hollick insists AFC Totton must learn from their mistakes over a crucial Bank Holiday weekend.

Last Saturday’s 2-0 Cup exit at lower league Gillingham Town was the last thing the Stags needed after losing their last home game 6-1 to Larkhall Athletic in the Southern One South & West.

Now, with a massively important double header approaching – at Bishops Cleeve on Saturday and at home to Salisbury on Monday (3pm) – the time has come for the underperforming Testwood Stadium outfit to stand up and be counted, writes Wendy Gee.

Hollick had anticipated “some fall-out” after a sobering afternoon at Gillingham where Totton never recovered from conceding early against the Western Premier Division hosts.

In their defence, they travelled without key trio Nathaniel Sherborne, Mike Gosney and Dave Allen, while new defensive recruit Jack Vallis pulled up with a hamstring problem in the warm-up for the second game running.

Even so, it was a defeat that should never have happened and, just as Hollick had predicted, a “frank discussion” with chairman Andy Straker followed.

The manager, though, did not need telling that the stuttering Stags had better pull their socks up – and fast.

“Myself and the chairman had words,” he confirmed. “Obviously we’ve had some bad results and it’s all about how we react now as a team and as a club.

“It was important to us to have FA Cup and Trophy runs because it builds momentum for everyone involved, so it was hugely disappointing to go out of the Cup.

“We’ve got a massive weekend coming up now and we’ve got to make sure those mistakes don’t happen again.

“Monday against Salisbury should be a really big occasion. Hopefully the Testwood Stadium will be packed, like it was for the Hereford game, and we’ll give a good account of ourselves. We’re expecting a really good atmosphere.”

Sherborne, Gosney and Allen have all trained this week and the trio should play some part over the weekend.

Gosney, though, will be handled with kid gloves after being hospitalised with a twisted stomach.

“Gos has been given the all-clear to train and play, but he’s been laid up for a while and a twisted stomach is a bad thing,” said Hollick.

“He didn’t need an operation, it unravelled on its own.

“It’s a health problem rather than a football injury and we’ve got to make sure he’s comfortable with it.

“We don’t want to jeopardise his health.

“The person is more important than the player.”

*SALISBURY striker Justin Bennett says his recent goal spree is the best way to silence his age critics.

The 34-year-old former Andover, Eastleigh and Gosport Borough marksman came in for criticism from one fan on Facebook who wrote: “I’m sure he’ll (Bennett) come good when they oil his zimmer frame.”

Bennett responded by firing five goals in as many days, following a league brace against Bishops Cleeve with an FA Cup hat-trick against Bitton.

“I’m not quite needing a zimmer frame yet!” he smiled.

Salisbury have had a mixed start to the Southern One South & West season, winning two and losing two of their opening four games since promotion as Sydenhams Premier champions.

Steve Claridge’s men host Mangotsfield United on Saturday before travelling to AFC Totton on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm).