Catlin: AFC Portchester are under pressure and I’m sure chairman is unhappy… Baffins boost… Fareham and Horndean fire

AFC Portchester boss Mick Catlin admits the pressure is on after yet another defeat.
By Dave Brawn
Published 3rd Mar 2019, 11:36 BST
Updated 3rd Mar 2019, 12:45 BST
AFC Portchester have been struggling. Picture: Neil Marshall (180728-098)AFC Portchester have been struggling. Picture: Neil Marshall (180728-098)
AFC Portchester have been struggling. Picture: Neil Marshall (180728-098)

The Royals suffered a 3-1 home defeat against unbeaten league-leaders Sholing.

Without a win since Christmas Catlin’s side have found themselves falling down the league.

They started the season with genuine promotion ambitions.

Catlin accepts it isn’t an ideal situation.

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He said: ‘I suppose if you haven’t won for 11 games everything is on the line.

‘That is the chairman’s domain and I am sure he is as unhappy about the situation as I am.

‘Like it our not we are looking over our shoulders and are in a relegation battle.

‘We have to start winning.

‘At present we are 10 points above the second relegation spot with nine games left to play.

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‘It will take a bit more grit and a few players need to step up to the plate.’

Against Sholing all the Royals could manage was a late consolation goal scored from the spot by Steve Ramsey.

A second-half goal from substitute Max Paddon earned Baffins Milton Rovers a 1-0 win at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Paddon struck in the 72nd minute, converting a cross at the far post following good combination work between Tommy Leigh and Callum Dart.

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Earlier Jason Parrish missed a penalty, firing straight at the goalkeeper on the stroke of half-time.

Steve Leigh was pleased with a second successive win.

The Baffins boss said: ‘We did well to come away with all three points in a tough, bruising encounter.

‘When you play teams at the bottom it is always going to be a battle.

‘We were not at our best but man for man we did enough to deserve the three points.’

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Goals from Lewis Stockford and Gary Austin earned Fareham Town a vitally important 2-1 win at Team Solent.

A Jack Maloney penalty got Horndean back to winning ways with a 1-0 home success against Bashley.

In division one goals from Liam Callaghan (two) and Callum Laycock helped United Services Portsmouth edge to a 3-2 win against AFC Stoneham at the Victory Stadium.

Petersfield Town crashed to a 3-0 home defeat against Newport IOW.

Related topics:AFC PortchesterRoyalsFarehamBaffinsHorndean