‘Rapid’ Lamin Jatta continues goal-laden start to life at AFC Portchester

Lamin Jatta during his two-goal display for AFC Portchester at Folland. Picture: Daniel Haswell.

The Royals boss watched his side win 3-2 at Wessex League Division 1 Folland Sports in their opening supplementary cup tie at the weekend

New striker Lamin Jatta, who followed Carter to Portchester from Moneyfields, now has seven goals for the first team and under-23s following his Folland double.

Carter has been impressed with the way the raw talent, 20, has settled in, while he also picked out 18-year-old Harvey Aston out for praise after handing him a start at Folland.

The AFC Portchester wall lines up for a Folland free-kick. Picture: Daniel Haswell.

Carter said: 'We had quite a few players missing so it gave an opportunity for some of the younger lads to come in.

'Harvey Aston who came in and did really well for us.

‘At the moment, we’re playing teams who are not at our level so there’s a long way to go.’

Jatta had been top scorer for Moneyfields Reserves in the Hampshire Premier League Division 1 prior to lockdown, his haul including two hat-tricks.

Lamin Jatta scores again, but this effort was disallowed for offside. Picture: Daniel Haswell.

‘Lamin has got something about him, he’s absolutely rapid - he’s still got a lot to learn, but he’s there willing to learn,’ said Carter of a player who was handed occasional Southern League appearances during his time at Dover Road.

'He’s got plenty of pace and he’s finding the net at the moment so hopefully that’ll carry on.'

Jatta and Oscar Johnston put the Royals in command. However, goalkeeper Brad Snelling's error gifted Folland a way back before they levelled soon after.

But Jatta was on hand to ensure Portchester claimed a 3-2 victory.

Carter says getting minutes into his players' legs and having a close look at his squad is all he's looking for from the competition.

He added: 'It’s a difficult situation to put the blend together and that’s why we’re using these games.

'We played at a different pace on Saturday to what we did in the couple of friendlies we had.

‘It’s just good for the fitness levels, lads are getting used to playing football again, longer than any usual pre-season.

‘You see the lads when they’re doing shooting drills and things, it’s just getting the lads back to playing and using different muscles again.'

Portchester’s next cup tie is home to Petersfield next Saturday before they welcome FA Vase heroes US Portsmouth to The Crest Finance Stadium on Tuesday, April 27.