Fareham boss Stiles previews 'El Creekio' derby: I’m not pressing the panic button just yet’

Pete Stiles is urging Fareham Town to get their act together ahead of Tuesday's Wessex Premier ‘El Creekio’ derby against AFC Portchester at Cams Alders (7.45pm).
Patrik Hnath, right, in action for Portchester during last season's 3-1 Wessex derby win at Fareham Town. Picture: Jordan ColbornePatrik Hnath, right, in action for Portchester during last season's 3-1 Wessex derby win at Fareham Town. Picture: Jordan Colborne
Patrik Hnath, right, in action for Portchester during last season's 3-1 Wessex derby win at Fareham Town. Picture: Jordan Colborne

The Reds manager was hugely disappointed by their lack of application in the 1-0 defeat at Blackfield & Langley.

Though they only lost 1-0, Stiles admits the defeat could easily have been a lot heavier.

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His side are still looking for their first goal of the season having also failed to net in their FA Cup exit at Frimley Green.

Last season Fareham boasted the second best goals per game record in the Wessex top flight.

Stiles knows his team need to lift their game if they are to give themselves any chance of upsetting the Royals.

'We certainly need to do better than last weekend,' said Stiles.

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'I am not pressing the panic button yet and we have got a tough start.

'Our biggest problem is that we haven't scored.

'Last season we were the highest scorers at home.

'That doesn't just disappear overnight.

'We just need a goal to get up and running.

'We have a habit of playing well against the better sides and we are looking forward to taking on Portchester.'

Stiles names the same squad but admits there might be changes to his starting line-up.

In contrast, the Royals boast a 100 per cent record after two games.

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They followed up their 4-0 FA Cup win against Sandhurst Town with a confident 3-1 league win against Fleet Town.

Manager Mick Catlin insists he won't allow any complacency in the camp.

'We have made an excellent start but must keep it going,' said Catlin.

'Fareham will very much be a wounded animal and we must be very wary of that.

'We won't be reading too much into their results.

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'Their poor start will only serve to give them extra motivation.

'It is a local derby and often that means form goes out of the window.

'For us it is important that we don't think that we have cracked it after just two games.

'The key is to keep working hard and doing the right things.'

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Catlin is without Josh Hanratty (concussion) and Toby Adekunle (hamstring).

Captain Steve Ramsey returned to the side after suspension against Fleet and made a big difference.

The Royals have looked solid at the back and front three Lee Wort, Craig Harding and Joe Johnson are likely to cause Fareham plenty of problems.

Johnson, who scored as a substitute in the cup win, kept his place and repeated the feat against Fleet.

Both teams won in the league at each other’s ground last season - Fareham triumphing 1-0 and Portchester 3-1 - but the Royals will start as firm favourites for this one.