Two former Pompey academy youngsters sign for Wessex League club AFC Portchester

New AFC Portchester signing Ethan Robb in action for Pompey against Aldershot in a friendly last year. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Oscar Johnston and Ethan Robb, both 18, were handed their first Royals run-outs in the 3-0 friendly win over Hampshire Premier League side Paulsgrove at the Crest Finance Stadium on Saturday.

Portchester manager Mick Catlin believes the pair will add a much-needed youthful dimension to his largely experienced squad.

The Royals boss has made his Wessex League Premier Division promotion intentions known this summer by bringing in Liam Hibberd, Joe Chamberlain, Luke Dempsey, Craig Harding and Mike Gonsey - all from Alresford - as well as prolific Sholing striker Lee Wort and ex-Totton winger Toby Adekunle.

And Catlin feels his latest additions both fit the bill for Portchester.

'Oscar looked really lively,' he reported.

‘We had Ethan involved as well, who has been released by Pompey at under-18 level.

‘They’ve both signed for us.’

Johnson was known to Royals assistant boss Lee Molyneaux, as he played a few games under him for Gosport last season.

‘He looks a very exciting player,’ said Catlin.

‘He’s very fit and a good addition to the squad.

‘Ethan appeared in the first half, he’s a central midfield player who’s very good on the ball.

‘He’s very fit, as you’d expect from a young player coming from a pro club.

‘We want to try to develop some good young players and they fit the bill.'

Johnson had a short spell in the Finnish second division following his Pompey release last summer. His stint overseas was a short one, though, and he returned to join Gosport in December.

All of Catlin's summer recruits - apart from Hibberd - featured in the victory over Paulsgrove which also featured a Steve Ramsey strike and an own goal

Molyneaux - now 37 but still keen to carry on playing where possible - also had a run-out in the first half.

Although admitting the fixture had a 'different feel to it' given the covid-19 guidelines, Catlin was just relieved to be able to get his team back out on the field for the first time since March 7.

‘It was totally different to what we’re usually used to,' he added.

‘We had to temperature test the players on arrival, and list their details before entering the ground.

‘We had to sanitise the balls and equipment and the dressing rooms were out of use.

‘We played two different teams in each half, which is what we normally do in our first pre-season game.

‘It just gets minutes into the players because we’ve got quite a large squa.

‘You don’t really know how things are going to gel together with the new signings until they get out on the pitch.

‘They (the new signings) all looked good in training but you’re looking at little partnerships and people that click with others - that’s what pre-season is all about.'

Portchester ramp up pre-season preparations by hosting Southern Leaguers AFC Totton on Saturday followed by a trip to Wessex League Division 1 club Alton next Tuesday.