‘Tough times’ for Catlin as AFC Portchester suffer shock Wessex League home loss to Brockenhurst

It was a third successive league defeat in the space of eight days for Mick Catlin's side, following on from losses to Lymington and Cowes.

Including their surprise FA Vase exit to lower division US Portsmouth, the Royals - the pre-season title favourites - have now lost four games in a row.

In a game played out in difficult conditions of a blustering wind and driving rain, the visitors showed a greater appetite for the fight as they claimed only a second league win of the season.

The Royals looked like a team very much low on confidence.

Chairman Paul Kelly cut a frustrated figure following the latest defeat.

He has made no secret of his ambition to get the club into the Southern League.

A lot of effort has been put getting the infrastructure ready to make the move up and, once again, hospitality was sold out for the game.

Everything seems in place off the pitch, but the Royals don't seem to be able to get things right on the pitch.

Catlin admitted beforehand that it was a must-win game, and he has been around long enough to know he is in a results business.

It remains to be seen whether the chairman possesses the patience to allow him time to turn things around.

Though only eight games into their season, Portchester already find themselves 13 points adrift leaders Hamworthy United, with a game in hand.

Catlin admitted it was a dreadful result for his team.

'It is very disappointing and I don't know what else to say really,' he remarked.

'These are certainly tough times.

'We just need a win from somewhere but at the moment we don't know where it is going to come from.

'Conditions didn't help either side with the wind swirling around.

'We didn't work their goalkeeper enough and didn't do enough to win the game.

'We allowed them to be quicker to the second balls.

'Once we equalised we were on top, only to hand the initiative back to them.

'It is very difficult to take.'

The home side gave a debut at the back to ex-Gosport Borough and University of San Diego defender Henry Lander.

Catlin's side were without three strikers - Lee Wort (unavailable), Craig Harding (injured) and Rudi Plummer (suspended).

After a quiet opening 15 minutes, Brock - thrashed 6-1 at Fareham the previous week - should have taken the lead.

Centre forward Freddie Bullard got clear and with just goalkeeper Cameron Scott to beat ballooned his shot over the top.

The home cause wasn't helped when Toby Adekunle was sent to the sin bin for dissent.

On 34 minutes the Royals fell behind when the unmarked Brad Magookin easily guided a header into the far corner.

Further chances fell to the visitors before the break and the home side could easily have found themselves deeper in trouble.

There was little improvement after the break but on 66 minutes the Royals levelled out of the blue.

Barry Mason latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the area and smashed in an unstoppable low drive.

Joy was short-lived, however, as Brock soon regained the lead with Magookin's free-kick flying through the defensive wall and nestling in the bottom corner.

The hosts made frantic efforts after this but all proved in vain.

'With the wind in the second half I expected us to have a few more shots on target,' said Catlin.

AFC Portchester: Scott, Evans, Martin (Searle), Lander, Dempsey, Hanratty, Johnson (Faulkner), Ramsey (Chamberlain), Mason, Johnston, Adekunle.

Attendance: 240