It has to be business as usual for AFC Portchester'¦Â Baffins have tricky Sholing trip

Mick Catlin wants to ensure a week of disruption won't unsettle AFC Portchester ahead of their Wessex League premier division contest against Shaftesbury at the Crest Finance Stadium.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Nov 2018, 13:02 BST
Updated 15th Nov 2018, 14:06 BST

In a surprise development it was announced earlier in the week that joint-manager Ian Saunders had left the club by mutual consent.

The move came after an alleged disagreement between Saunders and one of the players in the changing room after a recent game.

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Catlin, who was joint boss with Saunders and will lead the Royals this weekend, insists it is important the focus returns to on the field matters for Saturday's game (3pm).

He said: '˜It has been a tough old week and my challenge is to try to settle things down.

'˜We have to regroup and make sure the team returns to winning ways.

'˜In many ways it is sad to see Ian go because from our point of view things were working well together.

'˜Now we have to move forward.

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'˜We are third in the league having played more games than the teams around us.

'˜If we want to stay in touch with the top two then we have to keep winning.

'˜Shaftesbury will be tough and we struggled against them last season.

'˜After the week we have had they might be smelling blood and fancy their chances.

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'˜We have to go into the game with a positive attitude and try to win it.'

With goalkeeper Ryan Young carrying a knock Catlin is hoping to bring in Salisbury goalkeeper Charlie Searle on a short-term loan.

Baffins Milton Rovers face the most daunting task as they look to end Sholing's unbeaten start to the season.

Sholing have won all 12 of their opening league games and will start as favourites on their home turf.

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Second-placed Horndean also face a tricky test against Bashley in the New Forest.

Fareham Town are looking to halt their slide down the league as they host fellow strugglers Andover New Street on Saturday at Cams Alders (3pm).

Reds manager Pete Stiles is hoping his injury-hit squad can get something positive out of the game.

He said: '˜We are just hanging in there until we can get a few players back.'

The home side give a league debut to goalkeeper Declan McCarthy signed from Follands.

Related topics:BaffinsAFC PortchesterPete Stiles