Mick Catlin fearful AFC Portchester may come up against a Solent University team with a 'point to make'

The students have been forced by the league to play their next four games away because of drainage problems with their Test Park pitch.

Solent University have only played one home league game since November 30, but are unhappy at the decision made by Wessex officials.

The Royals manager Mick Catlin fears this might fire them up on the pitch.

‘They feel a bit hard done by and might be keen to make a point,’ he said.

‘Being students, they will be young and enthusiastic anyway and their league position (fourth from bottom) isn't a true reflection of their quality.

‘We have to try to make sure that we exploit the bonus of home advantage.

‘It is important that we drop as few points as possible between now and the end of the season.

‘We dropped another two at Fleet in our last game, which was disappointing.

‘What we have to do is stop making silly mistakes which are costing us goals.

‘There is no way we can afford to keep giving away two goals a game.

‘Pete Castle has been brought in to help shore up the defence.

‘But we have to defend better as a team and maintain our concentration.

‘To stand any chance of going up, we have to win almost all our games and hope the top two slip-up.’

Joe Noakes returns to the squad after being rested for a couple of games.

He is just back from two very serious injuries and Catlin does not want to rush his return.

Striker Alex Baldacchino returned as a substitute at Fleet and suffered no reaction, while top scorer Dan Wooden is back from illness.

Skipper Steve Ramsey, however, starts a three-match suspension following a red card at Calthorpe Park last weekend.

‘Losing Steve is something we could have done without,’ said Catlin.

‘He will be a big miss for us.’

‘He is one of the leading goalscorers in the league, 14 goals - and an influential player for us.

‘It is up to us to adapt to playing without him.’

The club have moved to plug the gap by signing Blackield & Langley midfielder Josh Hanratty, who comes straight into the squad this weekend.

‘Josh is a good ball-winning midfield player,’ said Catlin.

Third-placed Portchester are 10 points behind leaders AFC Stoneham but have three games in hand.

‘There are going to be lots of twists and turns between now and the end of the season,’ said Catlin.

‘Because of the weather, teams still have a lot of games to play in a short space of time.

‘That could see some surprising results.’