Former Wembley winner joins AFC Portchester for end-of-season Wessex League title push

AFC Portchester have signed experienced defender Pete Castle from Hamble Club in a bid to pull up the drawbridge at the back.
By Kevin Ricketts and Simon Carter
Published 20th Feb 2020, 12:06 BST
Updated 20th Feb 2020, 16:40 BST
Pete Castle, playing for Sholing, tackles new Portchester colleague Alex Baldicchino during a Wessex League game in 2015. Pic Mick YoungPete Castle, playing for Sholing, tackles new Portchester colleague Alex Baldicchino during a Wessex League game in 2015. Pic Mick Young
Pete Castle, playing for Sholing, tackles new Portchester colleague Alex Baldicchino during a Wessex League game in 2015. Pic Mick Young

Royals manager Mick Catlin fears his side’s defensive frailties could derail their title bid.

He believes the added experience of Castle - 33 next month - can help plug the gaps.

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The Royals have only kept six clean sheets in 25 league games, and four of those were against lowly Shaftesbury (twice), Amesbury and Bournemouth.

Castle comes straight into the squad for this weekend’s Wessex Premier game at Fleet Town (3pm).

In April 2003, Castle became the youngest player even to appear for Reading - aged 16 years and 49 days in a Championship game against Watford - a record he still holds.

He subsequently helped Bashley win the Southern League Division 1 South & West title with Bashley and played for Gosport Borough in 2010/11.

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Three years later he was part of the Sholing side that completed an FA Vase and Wessex League title double.

Castle has been a regular in the Wessex Premier with Hamble this term, making 29 starts in all competitions.

'He is a player who knows how to win this league,' said Catlin.

'His quality and experience should help make a difference.

'We have got to keep more clean sheets if we are to stand a chance of winning the league.

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'Jordan Rose has made a big impression since coming to us on loan from Blackfield.

'Having the two of them together will be a real bonus.'

The Royals are third, eight points behind leaders AFC Stoneham but with three games in hand.

Stoneham's midweek defeat at Bashley gave the Royals another lifeline and Catlin is keen to make the most of it.

He wants his side to continue showing their mental toughness away from home.

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'We have two tough away games at Fleet and then Bashley next Tuesday,' he said.

'Our away record this season has been good.

'The players have shown that they can adapt to the heavier pitches we are experiencing at the moment.

'If we can't play our football then we can get the ball forward quickly.

'We have good firepower up front.

'In Dan Wooden we have one of the leading scorers in the league, Jason Parish is finding a bit of form and we still have Alex Baldacchino to come back in.

'It is vitally important that we make the most of our games in hand.'

Related topics:RoyalsWembleyAFC PortchesterBournemouth