Mick Catlin praises five-star AFC Portchester's response as they ease to thumping victory over Tadley Calleva

The Royals went into the clash on the back of three successive defeats in all competitions – all of which had come at The Crest Finance Stadium.

Catlin was left particularly frustrated by his side’s 2-0 home loss to fellow promotion rivals Lymington Town on Saturday.

But the Portchester boss praised his side’s five-star showing as they put Tadley to the sword.

He said: ‘We really needed a response from our defeat against Lymington on Saturday.

‘We were desperate for a win.

‘I thought we played really well. (against Tadley)

‘It was a bit closer in the first half.

‘But in the second half I felt we dominated the game and the score was a fair reflection of it really.

‘We hit the post late on and missed a couple of other chances.

‘It was a difficult surface to play on, but I thought we tried to play football the right way.

‘We got our rewards in the end.’

Portchester were gifted the chance to go ahead after 12 minutes.

Jason Parish turned Shay Barham in the area before the defender tripped his man and a soft penalty was awarded.

Former Hawks midfielder Steve Ramsey stepped up to slot Portchester in front.

Tadley had offered very little going forward but were level on 28 minutes.

Striker Clive Macon was sent racing away before he was taken down by the Royals goalkeeper Brad Snelling as he attempted to round him, with a penalty awarded.

Jordan Goater made no mistake from the spot to bring the visitors level.

But Portchester would restore their advantage eight minutes before the break.

Ramsey’s raking pass picked out Dan Wooden on the left before he drilled a ball that found Alex Baldacchino in the area.

The forward took it in his stride, jinked away from his man and fired a left-foot shot into the net.

Portchester then ran away with it in a dominant second-half display.

Wooden picked up the ball on the edge of the area before seeing an effort go in off a post to make it 3-1 on 62 minutes.

The Royals were now in command and a fourth followed six minutes later.

Ramsey powered away down the left and his cross picked out the incoming Nathan Paxton to slot home from all of six yards.

Substitute Patrik Hnath, who has been on trial with Portsmouth and Bournemouth under-18s in recent weeks, rounded off the win six minutes from time.

He was sent racing away then rounded Jack Martin and tapped into an empty net.

The win moved Portchester up a place to fifth in the table, leaving 13 points off leaders Alresford Town with three games in hand.