AFC Portchester boss Catlin: Lymington away is a massive test – we need to stand up and be counted

Mick Catlin believes AFC Portchester's Wessex Premier visit to table-topping Lymington provides them with the perfect opportunity to bounce back from a shock FA Vase exit.
By Kevin Ricketts
Published 15th Oct 2020, 10:07 BST
Former Gosport Borough boss Craig McAllister, right, has helped Lymington Town to the top of the Wessex League Premier Division. Picture: Vernon NashFormer Gosport Borough boss Craig McAllister, right, has helped Lymington Town to the top of the Wessex League Premier Division. Picture: Vernon Nash
Former Gosport Borough boss Craig McAllister, right, has helped Lymington Town to the top of the Wessex League Premier Division. Picture: Vernon Nash

The Royals were deservedly beaten 2-1 by their Wessex Division 1 visitors in last weekend’s second qualifying round tie

Catlin knows his team can't afford to dwell on that result if they are to have any chance against a Lymington side protecting the last 100 per cent record in the entire Wessex League.

'It certainly doesn't get any easier,' said Catlin.

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'This is a massive test for us and our players will need to stand up and be counted.

'In a way there couldn't be a better chance to get the Vase defeat out of our system.

'Going to the league leaders focuses the mind.

'Luckily, most of our poor performances so far this season have been in cup games.

'In the league we have won four and lost one and must look to keep that going.

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'Our aim is to make sure that we come out of this game with something.

'To do that we have to get back to doing what we do well.'

Cameron Scott replaces goalkeeper Brad Snelling, who suffered a broken finger and chipped knuckle saving a US shot.

Captain Steve Ramsey remains sidelined with a dislocated shoulder and broken finger.

On the positive side, the Royals hope to have potent striker Lee Wort and influential midfielder Pete Castle back from injury.

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'We have got a good squad so there are players who can come in,' said Catlin.

'We need to be a bit more solid at the back.

'In the first half against United Services we were terrible defensively and allowed them to take the initiative.

'After that we struggled to regain it.

'Lymington are a big, physical unit that like to go from back to front quite early.

'We will need all our experienced players to step up to the plate.

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'I am confident that we have the resources going forward to trouble them.

'We just need an all round solid performance.'

Lymington have won all six of their league games, scoring 16 goals and conceding just one.

Indeed, they have a phenomenal defensive record, having kept 10 clean sheets in their 12 league and cup matches in 2020/21.

They have only conceded five goals this season, and four of them were in a Wessex League Cup loss to Baffins Milton Rovers.

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In goal is former Fareham and Horndean keeper Ross Casey, while up front Sam House is the leading scorer with seven goals.

Striker Ollie Dennett, who was at Hawks and Alresford last season, netted twice in three games before suffering a severe ACL injury in a Russell Cotes Cup win against Alton.

Ex-Gosport Borough player-manager Craig McAllister has struck twice in seven starts while former Portchester striker Owen Fee grabbed the only goal at Bashley in midweek.

That latest win took Lymington above Fareham on goal difference, and they have a game in hand.

Pete Stiles’ Reds follow Portchester in travelling to Lymington on Saturday week for another huge early-season encounter.

Related topics:RoyalsAFC PortchesterFA Vase