AFC Portchester put Yachtsmen to the sword

The Yachtsmen’s hopes were scuppered in the first 60 seconds when they had a player sent off.

Royals striker Jason Parish was clean through when the last defender brought him down.

Joe Bye scored the resulting penalty and by the break the hosts, who handed home debuts to former Pompey full-back Dave Birmingham and Steve Ramsey, had added goals from Parish and Rob Evans.

Although Cowes pulled a goal back, further strikes from Bye and Geoff Dunne saw the Royals to a comfortable win.

Portchester boss Graham Rix said: ‘We set off quickly and were helped by their sending off.

‘The second half was a bit of an anti-climax but the game was won.

‘The important thing for us at the moment is to stay in touch with the leaders.’