Farnham Town started their National League South campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to AFC Totton.

Christie Ward’s spectacular strike in the 73rd minute proved decisive as the visitors claimed all three points from a competitive encounter at The Memorial Ground.

The visitors had the first attempt at goal of the afternoon in the third minute when Ward took aim from the edge of the box, but his effort sailed well over the bar.

Farnham had a golden opportunity to take the lead on five minutes when Darryl Sanders played Rakish Bingham in on goal, but his effort was straight at Totton keeper Ryan Gosney.

Totton went close four minutes later when Craig Tanner’s corner found Reece Fleet at the near post, who flicked his effort into the side netting.

The Town created a decent opportunity in the 12th minute when Bobby-Joe Taylor's corner found Louie Holzman at the back post, but Holzman was unable to get enough power on his header to trouble Gosney.

The visitors were awarded a penalty on 14 minutes when Sol Wanjau-Smith drove into the box and went down under Ryan Kinnane’s challenge. Tony Lee stepped up from the spot for Totton, but Farnham keeper Michael Eacott guessed correctly and parried the ball away to safety.

Farnham went close in the 17th minute when Sanders played a deft pass through to Taylor, whose left-footed effort across goal flashed just wide of the far post.

Totton created a good chance two minutes later when Tanner took a short corner to Dec Rose, whose cross dropped to Ward at the back post, who fired his effort over the bar.

Farnham nearly took the lead on 25 minutes when they broke quickly from a Totton corner and Taylor played a neat one-two with Sanders before slipping the ball through to Bingham, whose left-footed effort was saved by Gosney.

The visitors then went straight down the other end of the pitch and had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Ralph Vigrass’ cross picked out Lee in the box, who headed over the bar from six yards out.

Totton went close again a minute later when Ward let fly from the edge of the box and his effort went just over the bar.

The Town created the first opportunity of the second half in the 47th minute when Taylor’s left-footed effort went inches over the bar.

Farnham went close again on 59 minutes when they broke quickly and Owen Dean slipped a pass through to Taylor, who found Sanders, but Sanders' effort went just wide of the far post.

Farnham manager Paul Johnson made his first substitution of the afternoon in the 67th minute, with Trae Cook-Appiah replacing Bingham.

The visitors took the lead in spectacular style on 73 minutes when Ward’s right-footed volley from distance flew past Eacott into the left-hand corner of the net.

Totton nearly doubled their advantage two minutes later, but Wanjau-Smith was superbly denied by Eacott from close range.

Johnson made a triple change in the 77th minute, with Tom Leggett, Sam Evans and Jack Spong replacing Sam Hutchinson, Billy Clifford and Dean.

The Town looked for a way back into the game, and went close on 83 minutes when Taylor’s effort went over the bar.

Farnham created a good opportunity in the 88th minute when Leggett’s ball forward found Cook-Appiah, who fired his effort over the bar from close range.

The hosts continued to push for a leveller and went close on 90 minutes when Taylor worked a yard of space on the edge of the box before firing his effort over the bar.

Farnham kept on pushing, but the visitors managed the game professionally in the closing stages and hung on to claim all three points.

Despite defeat, the Town showed they can compete in the National League South this season after back-to-back-to-back promotions.

Next up for Farnham is a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League South on Friday, August 14 (8pm kick-off).