‘Lethargic’ US Portsmouth suffer shock Wessex League home defeat to Ringwood

A week on from a shock success in the FA Vase at higher division AFC Portchester – arguably the greatest result in the club’s history - US suffered a 2-1 Victory Stadium setback.

It was their third loss in seven league games this season, compared to only four defeats in 28 games in 2019/20.

‘What a difference a week makes,’ rued boss Glenn Turnbull.

‘We were really lethargic. Pricey did alright, Caino did alright, but the others were poor.

‘I think the guys up front had trampolines on their feet instead of boots - nothing was sticking.

‘We spoke beforehand of it all being well and good winning at Portchester, but we need to win these sort of league games.

‘Everyone agreed that was the case, but we just weren’t good enough.’

US went into the game minus left wing-back Josh Hazell, who is self isolating, and lost right wing-back Dan Sibley due to ankle injury.

After a goalless first half, US fell 2-0 down - against a Ringwood team who had lost their last league game 7-0 against New Milton.

The hosts were then temporarily reduced to 10 men when midfielder Jordan Pile was sin-binned.

Top scorer James Franklyn was pushed up front late on and he grabbed his ninth goal of the season with around 10 minutes left.

US host Premier Division Brockenhurst in the Wessex League Cup on Tuesday.

They will be without manager’s son Elliott Turnbull, who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury playing for the reserves at Alton.