AFC Portchester told to bounce back quickly from home humbling in Wessex derby with Baffins Milton Rovers

The Royals enter the derby clash on the back of a 4-0 home drubbing by Wessex League Premier Division leaders Hamworthy at the weekend.

That was a first defeat in three matches since Wallace took interim charge in October.

He knows defeats are inevitable as a manager, but he does not want that first loss to turn into a run of bad results.

Instead, Wallace wants the Royals' players to immediately bounce back against Baffins.

‘I’m experienced enough to know that there are highs and lows,' he said.

'Where we’ve come unstuck previously this season, we’ve had a blip like this or had a defeat after a couple of wins.

'It’s the reaction now so we don’t allow this to become another loss or a run of poor results.

'You always look forward to these type of games and it’s the same with the players.

‘What tends to happen is, again, the opposition will raise their game and they always do.

‘We’re seen as a scalp and rightly so, but we’ve got to go in there with the confidence that comes with playing for AFC Portchester.'

Wallace felt the loss of captain Steve Ramsey was a big blow against Hamworthy.

The former Hawks midfielder sustained a wrist injury in an accident at work prior to the weekend.

However, Wallace was hoping the skipper might return to face Baffins.

‘Steve was a big miss for us,' he admitted.

‘Hopefully he’ll be back for Tuesday.

‘He’s a big player and when you lose your captain, who’s the heartbeat of the midfield, it leaves a big hole.'