AFC Portchester boss Mick Catlin reflects on shock FA Vase loss: At any level reputations count for nothing

US Portsmouth keeper Tom Price gathers ahead of AFC Portchester's Toby Adekunle. Picture: Martyn White

Mick Catlin had no excuses as his AFC Portchester side were on the receiving end of an FA Vase giant-killing.

The Royals boss said lower-division US Portsmouth were ‘by far the better side in the first half’ of the second qualifying round tie in front of a bumper crowd at The Crest Finance Stadium.

‘We were lucky to be just two goals down at half-time. We didn’t have any answers to the questions they were asking.

‘We were better in the second half, but we didn’t threaten them enough.

James Franklyn of US Portsmouth about to get a shot in during his side's FA Vase win against AFC Portchester. Picture: Martyn White.

‘We found it difficult to contain their front three. James Franklyn was their best player by a mile, and Todd and Seiden occupied our centre halves well and stopped us playing the ball forward.’

US celebrated wildly at the final whistle, and Catlin said: ‘You could tell they thought we were a big scalp for them.

‘They raised their game, and we didn’t raise ours to match them.

‘At any level reputations count for nothing, and I don’t think we matched them in any department.

John Cass and Toby Adekunle challenge for a loose ball. Picture: Martyn White.

‘I won’t lie, we wanted a good run in the Vase as it can take you to Wembley. But I won’t be losing any sleep over this - the league is our priority.’

Portchester have won their last three league games, without conceding a goal, and next Saturday have an ultra-tough trip to Lymington Town.

Lymo are the only side in the Wessex Premier still protecting a 100 per cent record.

‘We’re taking a supporters coach there,’ said Catlin.

‘There’s a lot of interest in the club at the moment, the attendances are good.

‘We had a good crowd at the weekend, and it was an entertaining game for the neutral.’

Keeper Brad Snelling is expected to be sidelined for over a month after suffering finger and knuckle injuries that forced him off in the second half against US.