AFC Portchester boss Mick Catlin aiming to avoid a hat-trick of FA Cup embarrassments

Lee Wort (fourth from left) has just scored one of his two goals in AFC Portchester's 3-0 friendly win over Portsmouth U18s at the weekend. He should make his competitive Royals debut against Sandhurst in the FA Cup on Tuesday night. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

The visitors, who play a level below the Royals in the Combined Counties League Division One, are known as the 'Fizzers'

Royals manager Mick Catlin is certainly hoping to see his side regain their FA Cup 'fizz' after two disappointing years in the competition.

In the last two seasons his side have been knocked out at the first time of asking by teams from a lower level.

Last season they lost to Hythe and Dibden after a replay and the season before AFC Stoneham, when they were a Wessex Division One side, delivered the knock-out blow.

Catlin is confident he can avoid a hat-trick of FA Cup embarrassments.

'After the last two years there won't be any complacency in our camp,' he remarked.

'We don't want a repeat of the last two years and are fully focused on what we need to do to get through.

'Though we will go into the tie as favourites, we know that we can't take anything for granted.

'There is a lot at stake and every game at the moment will be a tough one.

'It is a competition where if you have a good run you can make the club a bit of money.

'We will be looking to get off to a flyer.

'Starting the season with an FA Cup game is not something that I have experienced before.

'The mentality side doesn't alter because it is equally important to make a winning start.

'We don't know a lot about Sandhurst apart from they have a new manager and their players will be keen to impress.

'From experience we will know that we won't be able to treat them lightly.'

The Royals are regarded by many as the favourites to win the Wessex League Premier Division in 2020/21.

Off the field, the club have made remarkable progress in recent years and have made no secret of their ambition to progress to the Southern League.

During the summer, Catlin has strengthened his squad ready to try and make the next step.

He felt his team were in a useful position last season when covid-19 brought about an early end to the campaign.

Catlin has looked to boost his firepower with the addition of two potent goalscorers.

The prolific Lee Wort has arrived from Sholing along with Alresford Town's Craig Harding, who notched 19 Wessex League Premier goals last season – only Scott Hills (20) of AFC Stoneham netted more

Defensively, the Royals have added two more Alresford players in Luke Dempsey and Liam Hibberd.

Three players definitely won't figure against Sandhurst because they are on trial at other clubs.

Ethan Robb and Jason Parish are at Bognor Regis Town - Parish is currently out with a hamstring injury - whilst Oscar Johnston is in Sweden.

Catlin insists his squad are raring to go, ahead of their first competitive game since beating Amesbury 6-2 on March 7.

'It has been a long pre-season and the players are ready to get stuck into competitive football again,' he insisted.

'We are all looking forward to getting going again.'

If Portchester win tonight, the reward will be a tough trip to two divisions higher Wimborne Town on Saturday, September 12.

Prize money has been virtually halved in this season’s FA Cup. The winners of the 184 extra preliminary round ties will bank £1,125 with the losers receiving £375.

This will be the Royals’ 10th FA Cup campaign and they have never progressed beyond the second qualifying round.

Four times they have won through three rounds, the last in 2017/18 when their run was ended with a 2-0 loss at National League South outfit Truro City.