AFC Portchester are back at The OnSite Group Stadium tonight for one of their biggest fixtures of the season — the local derby against Fareham Town, known to supporters on both sides as El Creekio.
The Royals will be looking to respond quickly after Saturday’s narrow 3–2 defeat away to Littlehampton Town, a result that ended their four match unbeaten run in the league.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to take from another battling display on the road.
Following the defeat at Littlehampton, assistant manager Ben Buckland reflected on the performance and the frustration of coming away empty-handed after another competitive showing: “It was a disappointing afternoon – we thought we’d turned a corner with our recent form and wanted to carry that momentum into the game.
“Fair play to Littlehampton, they worked hard and made it tough for us, but we gave away some cheap goals and that’s cost us. We created more
than enough to get something from the game, but sometimes those fine margins go against you.”
Portchester fought back from 2–0 down to level before half time, with Tommy Scutt and Josh Clack both on target, only for the hosts to find a
winner mid-way through the second half.
“The frustrating thing is we could easily have had six points from the last two away games,” added Buckland. “But the performances have been
good, the attitude’s been right, and there’s loads of positives to take. It’s a new league for us, and we’re learning every week.”
Attention now switches to the clash with local rivals Fareham Town, who come into the game sitting 22nd in the table after a last-minute
defeat to league leaders Leatherhead at Cams Alders on Saturday.
With both sides desperate for points and local bragging rights, it promises to be another fiery edition of El Creekio — a fixture that always delivers drama and passion.
“We’ll rest up, recover, and get ready for Tuesday,” Buckland continued. “It’s a big local derby, so we’ll need everyone behind us. The support’s been fantastic home and away, and hopefully we can give them something to shout about.”
The Royals came out on top in the reverse fixture earlier this season at Cams Alders, to record their first ever win in step 4.
PREVIEW BY DECLAN MURPHY
