AFC Portchester boss Catlin blames himself for latest home Wessex League Premier Division loss

Steve Ramsey, right, went off injured against Lymington - and AFC Portchester boss Mick Catlin admits he made a mistake in not replacing him with another midfielder. Picture: Keith Woodland.

With the score deadlocked at 0-0 midway through the second half, Catlin made a change.

He replaced injured midfielder Steve Ramsey with striker Alex Baldacchino in a bid to try and win the game.

On reflection, Catlin felt it was a mistake.

'My change handed the initiative to Lymington,' he said.

'I felt we needed more threat going forwards.

'It epitomises our approach all season where we have only drawn one game.

'In hindsight, I should have put a holding midfield player on to give us more chance of not losing.

'Almost immediately after our change they scored and that took the wind out of our sails.

'Their second goal came in the 86th minute when we were chasing the game.

'Sometimes you have to settle for grinding out a point.'

In an even first half, neither side created many chances.

The game was mainly fought out in midfield with a number of hefty challenges put in by both teams.

Lymington went closest with a shot against the top of the bar just before half-time.

After Catlin's change – which saw Baldacchino play his first game of 2020 - the New Forest visitors were allowed more space and they capitalised on it with two goals from Sam House and Michael Finch.

The latter spent a short spell with Moneyfields earlier this season.

The defeat means the Royals slip to sixth and their dreams of a first-ever Wessex Premier title are fading following a third straight home loss.

They are now 16 points behind leaders Alresford Town, though they do have four games in hand.

But they are now 10 points adrift of second-placed AFC Stoneham, with only one game in hand on the in-form Purples.

'We won't give up on catching the top two until it is impossible,' said Catlin.

'It means we have to win our games in hand and get on another good run.'

Powerful midfielder Joe Noakes could be included for the visit of Tadley Calleva on Tuesday night.

After nearly two years out with injury, Catlin decided not to risk him against Lymington after Noakes’ midweek appearance in the Russell Cotes Cup against Fareham.

'Joe went on as a substitute for his first game back in a cup game,' said Catlin.

'Though he suffered no reaction, I didn't want to risk him too early.

'He will probably feature in our squad for our must-win game against Tadley.'