Royals boss Mick Catlin pleased with Wessex point against the odds at Hamble Club

Mick Catlin felt AFC Portchester did well to come away from Hamble Club with a Wessex Premier point against the odds.
Nathan Paxton, middle, scored for AFC PortchesterNathan Paxton, middle, scored for AFC Portchester
Nathan Paxton, middle, scored for AFC Portchester

The Royals - who, like their hosts, had won their previous five league games - lost goalkeeper Charlie Searle with a dislocated thumb in the first half.

With no substitute goalkeeper on the bench, defender Ellis Martin had to take over in goal.

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Catlin was also aggrieved that two crucial decisions went against his team.

'Hamble went ahead with a penalty which took everyone by surprise,' said Catlin.

'If anything it was our player that was fouled.

'We showed a lot of character and fight after that in the second half to get ourselves in front.'

Nathan Paxton scored the equaliser and Dan Wooden grabbed a second three minutes from the end.

' At that point there only looked one winner,' said Catlin.

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'Then we were harshly penalised for a handball and their player (Liam Crook) fired the free-kick in with the last kick of the game.

'Under the circumstances, though, it has to be a good point away from home.'

It certainly was, bearing in mind Hamble had won nine of their previous 11 league and cup games.

Nathan Lynch netted Hamble’s penalty - his 100th goal in just 117 appearances for the Monks.

Portchester are now second, moving up a place after Brockenhurst suffered defeat at Hamworthy.

The Royals are next in action at home to Overton in the Russell Cotes Cup this Wednesday.

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