Mason celebrates AFC Portchester debut with goal in Wessex Premier victory over AFC Stoneham

Former Sholing pair Lee Wort and Barry Mason produced two great strikes to give the Royals maximum points.

Manager Mick Catlin felt it was a deserved win against the club that were lying second in the table when last season was abruptly ended.

'We played well and were certainly the better side in the first half,' said Catlin.

'It was a pleasing win and much needed.

'The first half was quite difficult playing into a strong wind and it was difficult to get any distance on our clearing kicks.

'We felt that after the break playing down the slope and with the wind we would have enough.'

The home side squandered their best chance of the first half from the penalty spot.

Wort saw his spot-kick turned round the post by goalkeeper Tom Parker-Trott.

The striker made amends with a superb opening goal immediately after the break.

Substitute Joe Chamberlain picked him out with a great diagonal pass and Wort sent his first-time volley into the bottom corner.

Mason, on his Royals debut, added to the lead with a cracking strike into the top left-hand corner of the net minutes after going on as a substitute.

'Stoneham were a good well organised team and we did well to break them down,' said Catlin.

Portchester’s next league game is away at struggling Portland United next Saturday.

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Michael Birmingham was left rueing a catalogue of missed chances as Horndean went down to a 1-0 Wessex League Premier Division defeat at Bashley.

The decisive home goal came from the penalty spot midway through the second half, Harry Morgan converting his spot-kick past Kieran Magee.

'Goals change games,' said Birmingham.

'In the first half we were fantastic and had six golden opportunities.

'It didn't matter who they fell to, we failed to work their goalkeeper.

'We put 50 per cent of them away and we go in at half-time game over.

'Bashley scored from virtually one of their only serious attacks.

'After that the game petered out.

'The good thing is that we were getting into the good areas and we have to keep believing.

'I'd wanted a reaction from the players after Christchurch and they did that.

'Though we have lost our last two without scoring, we haven't suddenly become a bad side.'

Horndean, who gave a debut to former Solent University defender Ryan Helmkey, host Baffins Milton on Tuesday (7.45pm).