AFC Portchester boss Catlin hoping his trio of FA Vase winners can provide ‘belief’

Flashback to the last time Us Portsmouth took on AFC Portchester in the FA Vase - Rob Evans (orange) takes on Callum Coker. Picture: Ian Hargreaves

Striker Lee Wort, midfielder Barry Mason and defender Pete Castle all helped Sholing become the third - and last - Wessex League winner of the tournament in 2013/14.

‘Their experience will be vital to us,’ said Royals boss Catlin. ‘They know what’s like to win the Vase and they can give the players around them that belief.’

Wort is Portchester’s top scorer in 2020/21 with seven league and cup goals, including a double in the Vase first qualifying round win against US’ divisional rivals Bemerton.

Mason was handed his first start in Tuesday’s 2-0 home win over Hamble - the Royals’ third straight league win without conceding a goal.

Castle, meanwhile, comes back into contention for this weekend’s second qualifying round tie with US Portsmouth after missing a few games through a groin injury.

Liam Crook - recently signed from Sholing - was handed his first start at left-back against Hamble.

Though known more as a central midfielder, natural left-footer Crook was deployed in the back line to give extra balance.

‘We’ve struggled at left back,’ said Catlin. ‘We’ve played Rob Evans, who’s a right back, there and we’ve played Adam Cripps, who’s a midfielder, there as well.

‘We’ve lacked someone since Joe Noakes got injured.’

Winger Rudi Plummer (ankle) could be a doubt while right-back Liam Hibberd returns to the squad.

‘The league is the priority,’ said Catlin, ‘but we can go a long way in the Vase if we get things right.

‘You need a bit of luck with the draw, but we want to build up some momentum.’

Catlin added: ‘We won’t be taking US lightly, they will be a big threat.

‘Switching the tie to our place might give us a slight advantage, but there will be a big crowd and a good atmosphere.’

The furthest Portchester have ever reached in the Vase is the third round, in both 2013/14 and 2014/15.

On the last occasion they beat US Portsmouth 3-1 at HMS Temeraire in the second round - the last major meeting between the two clubs.

The last time the pair met in a league game was in 2010/11, the season the Royals won promotion from Division 1 of the Wessex.

Current USP striker Jay Ripiner netted twice for Portchester in a 3-3 draw at US - Lee Bedden was also on target with Dale Holmes (2) and Harry Bass replying.

Simon Woods, currently at Fareham, thumped a hat-trick when the Royals won the return game 4-0.